Locals divided over Homerton High Street high-rise

Residents are split over plans for a high-rise development on Homerton High Street, with an online petition opposing the scheme accruing large numbers of signatures. 

An online petition opposing the scheme has reached 455 signatures, but locals are divided over whether the 23-storey development is too tall and intrusive, or inevitable and natural. 

The planning application, submitted to Hackney Council on 26 August, proposes demolishing and redeveloping 150-164 Homerton High Street to provide 385 rooms. 

Opponents say the proposed tower is out of proportion with the surrounding area, where buildings range from around three to 14 storeys in height.

However, not all locals are opposed to the development, as one resident of the high street said: “there is an element of inevitability.

“The building currently looks very run down, so I feel neutral about the development.” 

The height of the development has prompted particular concern because of its proximity to the Grade II-listed St Barnabas Church, with which the tower may compete in the local skyline. 

Online petition organisers are critical of the nature of the development, claiming that the single-occupancy rooms do not promote long-term, stable households in Homerton.

Nearby businesses appear unaffected, as staff at Masjid Daar Al-Hadeeth, a centre of Islamic worship currently under development on the same site, confirmed that their reopening is set to go ahead as planned.

Hackney Planning Service said: “The application is in its consultation stage until Saturday 26 September.

All views will be taken into account from the consultation process… [and] will inform the recommendation that is made on the application.

The views of residents are an important part of the planning process, particularly where they address the relevant planning policies. 

We anticipate that any recommended approval of this application would be referred to the Council’s planning committee for consideration, at which point all consultees would be notified (where they have provided their contact details) and would be afforded an opportunity to present their views at the meeting.”

Local councillors could not be contacted for comment. 

Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, declined to comment.

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