The Strategic Development Committee of Newham Council met on Tuesday 21 April 2026, approving plans for a new floating hotel in the Royal Docks and a residential development at Pudding Mill Lane. The committee also considered amendments to a previous planning permission for a development at 36 New Barn Street, Plaistow.

Good Hotel, Western Gateway, Canning Town

The committee approved plans for the mooring of a floating vessel to be used as a 233-room hotel, with ancillary food and beverage facilities and community spaces, at the Good Hotel Western Gateway in the Royal Docks. The application was considered a departure from the development plan, but the committee found that the public benefits, including job creation and the expansion of the Good Hotel's training programme, outweighed the harm. The scheme will also include significant public realm enhancements and water activation measures, such as a lagoon for kayaking and canoeing, and improved facilities for open water swimming.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the scale, visual impact, and potential environmental harm of the proposal. Objectors also highlighted issues with stakeholder engagement and the accuracy of consultation feedback. The applicants and officers addressed these concerns, with the applicants detailing their extensive consultation process and officers outlining the planning benefits and mitigation measures in place.

The committee also discussed the design of the vessel, with officers noting that the design had evolved positively in response to feedback from the Design Review Panel and other stakeholders. The materiality and architectural detailing were considered acceptable, and planning conditions would be imposed to ensure the approved quality is delivered.

Concerns were also raised about the impact on the setting of the Grade II listed Stothert and Pitt Cranes. Officers concluded that while there would be less than substantial harm to the heritage assets, this was outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme.

The committee approved the application, subject to referral to the Mayor of London and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

36 New Barn Street, Plaistow

The committee considered a Section 73 application to vary conditions attached to a previous planning permission for a residential development at 36 New Barn Street, Plaistow. The application sought to replace approved plans to reflect minor design alterations and update the material list.

The amendments were necessary to enable the development to meet Passivhaus standards, which aim for high levels of energy efficiency and improved indoor comfort. While officers acknowledged that the revised design represented a slight detriment compared to the originally approved scheme, they considered the changes acceptable on balance, particularly given the sustainability benefits.

However, the committee expressed strong concerns that Newham Council, acting as both developer and applicant, had implemented changes post-permission without planning approval. Councillors questioned the control breakdown between the council's planning authority and its role as client, and the potential for public money to be used for rectifying errors. The committee resolved to defer the application to a future meeting to allow the applicant to attend and address these concerns.

Pudding Mill Lane Phase 1, Queen Elizabeth Park

The committee approved two linked applications for Phase 1 of the Pudding Mill Lane development: a non-material amendment and a reserved matters application.

The non-material amendment sought to make deviations to the approved parameter plans and design codes of the Pudding Mill Lane Outline Planning Permission (PML OPP) to allow Phase 1 to proceed. These deviations were primarily to accommodate updated fire safety regulations, including the need for additional stair cores and plant rooms, and to facilitate the early delivery of homes. Officers assessed these deviations and concluded they were acceptable and non-material to the overall PML OPP.

The reserved matters application sought approval for the layout, scale, design, appearance, access, and landscaping of Phase 1. The development will comprise five residential buildings, ranging from 6 to 17 storeys, providing 355 homes. Significantly, 282 of these homes (79% by unit) will be affordable, with a tenure split of 32% low-cost rent and 68% intermediate. The scheme also includes commercial, business, and service floorspace, a health centre, pharmacy, and nursery.

Concerns were raised by objectors regarding the height of some buildings and the potential impact on views. Officers addressed these by referencing the approved parameter plans and the design review process, concluding that the scale and massing were appropriate within the context of the emerging townscape.

Network Rail raised concerns regarding the interaction between HGV movements and pedestrian/cycle routes on Marshgate Lane, and the potential for highway safety risks. Officers and LBN Highway Officers confirmed that the proposals include safety measures and that a two-way cycleway on Marshgate Lane would be assessed for feasibility as part of a Section 278 agreement.

The NHS ICB raised objections regarding the layout and commercial terms for the healthcare facility. Officers noted that these matters are governed by the PML OPP Section 106 Agreement and can be resolved through ongoing discussions and a required Healthcare Facilities Strategy, and therefore should not prevent the approval of the reserved matters application at this stage.

The committee approved both the non-material amendment and the reserved matters application, noting the significant provision of affordable housing and the high-quality design and public realm enhancements proposed.