Brick Lane: Judge rules in favour of planned development

The proposals include office space and commercial units along Brick Lane

A campaign group said it was "disappointed" after losing a High Court challenge against a controversial planning development in Tower Hamlets.

Save Brick Lane campaigned against new offices, shops and restaurants on the site of the Old Truman Brewery.

The council's planning committee had voted 2-1 in favour of the Truman Brewery Development in September 2021.

Truman Brewery said the development was"sensitively designed" and a judge found in favour of the defendant.

Posting on Twitter, the campaign group said: "The #SaveBrickLane Coalition is disappointed to announce that its High Court challenge of the Truman Brewery's planning application was unsuccessful".

The scheme includes a five-storey office building and commercial units along Brick Lane, plus an extension of 25 Woodseer Street for a shop and office space.

The plans attracted more than 7,000 objections from residents.

• Brick Lane: Controversial development plans approved

The Save Brick Lane group said it planned to appeal against the ruling and would challenge Tower Hamlets Council's decision to allow a vote on the development in 2021, despite a councillor being unable to cast her vote as she was self-isolating at home.

It added: "The coalition's lawyers consider good prospects of success at the Court of Appeal in challenging this decision," according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

But the Truman Brewery said the proposals did not involve the removal of any existing buildings.

It added it would create "more than 700 new jobs; drive economic opportunities for new businesses through additional workspace, shops and restaurants; give priority to local people and businesses for the affordable workspace and independent retail; and attract more visitors and workers who will spend more time and money locally, helping the local economy".

Protests against the plans were held last year

Campaigners include Leema Qureshi, who said she was the councillor who had missed the vote due to self-isolation.

She argued the development would ruin the cultural heritage and historical legacy of the area.

"There were so many residents who were really upset and they didn't want to go ahead.

"Brick Lane is the heart of East London and it is very sentimental. It has hundreds of years of heritage.

"People grew up there, people are running their businesses there and a decision like this is not straightforward," she said.

Local campaigner Saif Osmani previously told the LDRS: "Not to make a joke of it but Brick Lane is a lane - it's not a high street and it's being treated like some kind of high street."

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: "In response to a legal challenge, the judge has found that the planning application decision for the Truman Brewery site on Woodseer Street was made in accordance with the correct policies and procedures of the council."