Plans to build 46-storey tower approved

The north elevation of the proposed building at Brannan Street

Plans to build a 46-storey tower with more than 900 student bedrooms in Canary Wharf have been approved at City Hall despite the council voting the scheme down.

After a hearing on Tuesday, deputy mayor Jules Pipe said the project would "play an important role in helping London meet its annual housing targets", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The scheme's approval comes after the plan was turned down by Tower Hamlets Council at a meeting in November.

Councillors argued it could lead to an increase in antisocial activity and "noise and disturbance" for neighbouring residents, and that it was an "inappropriate location for student accommodation".

The proposed location of the tower at 7 Brannan Street

In total, the scheme will deliver 912 new student bedrooms, of which 230 will be made available at "affordable" rates - no more than 55% of the market rent.

Mr Pipe said: "Whilst this application is for purpose-built student accommodation, it nevertheless meets a housing demand equivalent to 364 homes.

"We're all aware of the urgent need to deliver more homes, and particularly genuinely affordable homes, if we're to tackle the housing crisis and boost economic growth."

Jack Brewster, development director at the Canary Wharf Group, said it had been "very disappointing" when Tower Hamlets refused permission for the project after "over three years of design and engagement" on it.

He added that the masterplan was a crucial part of Canary Wharf's "process of transforming, through diversification".

The council had received two objections from local residents in response to the plans, and City Hall received one after taking control of the application a few months ago.

None of these objectors spoke at Tuesday's hearing, and the council also chose not to speak in defence of its decision to reject the scheme.

Similar high-rise student accommodation projects in Paddington and in Archway have also been "called in" by City Hall, with hearings expected for each in the next few months.