The Development Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Thursday, 8 October 2026, to discuss a proposed amendment to the operating hours of Canary Wharf College Glenworth. The committee ultimately refused the application, citing concerns over anti-social behaviour, cumulative transport impacts, and potential non-compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Planning Application for Decision: PA/26/01051 - Site south west junction of Glenworth Avenue and Saunders Ness Road, E14 3EB

The committee considered an application for minor material amendments to planning permission PA/15/00360, which would alter the operating hours of Canary Wharf College Glenworth (CWC Glenworth). The proposed changes would shift the school's teaching hours to start no later than 8:15 am and finish no later than 3:00 pm, a change from the existing condition that requires a start no later than 8:30 am and a finish no earlier than 3:55 pm. The original condition was implemented to stagger the school's hours with those of the adjacent St Luke's Primary School to mitigate congestion and protect residential amenity.

The applicant argued that the proposed changes would increase the time gap between the start times of CWC Glenworth and St Luke's, and slightly increase the gap between their finish times, thereby improving upon the existing situation. They also presented updated transport assessments and a revised travel plan, asserting that these demonstrated no unacceptable impacts on highway safety or residential amenity, and that all statutory consultees, including Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police, had raised no objections. The applicant also highlighted that the proposed changes would align with the school's operational needs and potentially benefit staff and families.

However, objectors, including local residents and councillors, expressed significant concerns. They argued that the proposed earlier finish time would create an unacceptable overlap with the finishing times of nearby schools, particularly George Green's Secondary School, leading to increased congestion, noise, pollution, and potential safety issues. Concerns were also raised about the methodology of the transport surveys and the potential for increased anti-social behaviour. Councillor Iqbal Hossain specifically raised concerns about the application's compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty, noting a lack of assessment regarding impacts on protected characteristics.

Despite the officers' recommendation to grant planning permission, the committee voted to refuse the application. The reasons for refusal cited were:

• Anti-social behaviour impacts: Concerns were raised about the potential for increased anti-social behaviour due to the overlap in school finishing times.
• Cumulative transport impacts: The committee was concerned about the combined effect of the proposed changes on the local transport network, particularly in relation to other nearby schools.
• Non-compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010: Councillor Iqbal Hossain highlighted the lack of an equality impact assessment.

The committee delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to issue the formal decision notice refusing the application based on these agreed reasons.