The Tower Hamlets Council Development Committee met to discuss one planning application concerning the redevelopment of St. George's Leisure Centre and associated land. Councillors voted to approve the planning application and listed building consent for the site, despite concerns about harm to the setting of the Grade I listed St George in the East Church.

St. George's Leisure Centre Redevelopment

The committee reviewed an application for the redevelopment of the St. George's Leisure Centre site at 221 The Highway, submitted by Tower Hamlets Council's Capital Delivery Team. The proposal included:

• Demolition of the existing leisure centre
• Construction of a new leisure centre with a cafe and cycle parking
• Erection of a nine-storey residential building with 30 affordable homes
• Improvements to St. George's Gardens, including landscaping and play provision
• Relocation of 52 headstones
• Demolition of a section of the curtilage listed wall

The committee was asked to vote on both the full planning permission (PA/24/01804) and the listed building consent (PA/24/01803).

Presentations and Objections

Paul Buckenham, Head of Development Management, Planning and Building Control, introduced the application, explaining that it was before the committee due to the amount of floor space proposed. He also noted that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had not yet responded as part of the Gateway One process¹ for fire safety. He recommended delegating authority to officers to address any issues arising from the HSE, unless they substantially affected the plans.

Ronan Murray, Planning Case Officer, then presented the application in detail, highlighting the need for new leisure facilities and affordable housing in the area. He addressed concerns about the height of the residential building and its impact on the Grade I listed St George in the East Church and conservation area².

Several members of the public spoke for and against the application.

• Dan McCurry objected to the residential building, arguing that it would ruin the view of St. George in the East Church, ruining the view of one of your most historic buildings .
• Amanda Day raised concerns about environmental best practice, the lack of condition surveys, and the cost of the scheme.
• Ms Chodhi, speaking for the St George's Pool campaign team, supported the application but expressed frustration with the council's lack of transparency and consultation.
• Sean Arkman, head teacher of Blue Gay Fields Junior School, advocated for the immediate approval of the redevelopment, citing the prohibitive cost of travel to other swimming facilities and the importance of swimming as a life skill.

Committee Discussion and Decision

During the discussion, Councillor Marc Francis raised concerns about the impact of the residential development on the setting of St George in the East Church, a Grade I listed building³. He questioned why the council had not taken a different approach that was more in line with Historic England's concerns.

Other councillors focused on the benefits of the scheme, including the provision of much-needed family-sized homes and the improved leisure facilities. Councillor Amin Rahman confirmed that the rents would be social rents, the most affordable rents available. Councillor Shafi Ahmed highlighted the long-standing need for the pool and the benefits it would bring to the community. Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury acknowledged the negative impacts of the proposal but emphasized the balance achieved by providing family-sized homes.

Ultimately, the committee voted four to one in favor of granting planning permission for the redevelopment, with Councillor Marc Francis voting against. The committee also unanimously approved the listed building consent.