The Heart of the Borough

Bethnal Green, Mile End, Stepney, Bow and Globe Town are home to a collection of thriving and distinct neighbourhoods. The area offers an excellent quality of life, with vibrant town centres complemented by award-winning green spaces like Victoria Park, voted London’s most loved park, and Mile End Park.

The area has always been pioneering. The Lansbury Estate was the showpiece for the future of housing at the 1951 Festival of Britain. That spirit continues with award-winning developments like Bancroft and Wickford Street, which are leading the way in delivering greater density in a sustainable, community-focused way.

The opportunity

There is capacity for carefully designed, denser residential and employment development focused around revitalised town centres and neighbourhood parades. We are actively encouraging proposals on unallocated sites. Opportunities include estate regeneration, renewal of local centres, infill development and optimisation of underutilised sites. Queen Mary University of London is a key anchor institution here and we support opportunities that expand its role as a teaching and research hub.

How we will work with partners

We will support sensitive intensification and optimisation of sites, ensuring development enhances local character rather than undermining it. New development should improve access to green spaces and waterways, strengthen walking and cycling routes, and increase connectivity between neighbourhoods.

Revitalising Chrisp Street Market

Chrisp Street Market, immediately north of South Poplar, presents a major opportunity to renew one of Tower Hamlets’ most important local centres. The site could deliver around 20,000sqm of revitalised town centre uses alongside new housing, giving a centre that serves approximately 150,000 people a new lease of life. A planning application is expected in 2026.

How we will work with partners

The council is committed to providing a clear steer on placemaking priorities for Chrisp Street beyond affordable housing. We will ensure Chrisp Street keeps the market that anchors the town centre, while providing affordable workspaces for small businesses and voluntary organisations.

We will prioritise significant improvements to public spaces, preservation of local heritage, and better connectivity linking Chrisp Street to new development at South Poplar and Canary Wharf.