Boris Johnson has approved a major new development in East London which will see the construction of almost 500 homes for social and affordable use plus space for retail, healthcare and educational use.
Approval of the development, to be located in Tower Hamlets on the site of St Andrew’s Hospital, follows last week’s unveiling of the Mayor’s housing strategy and a promise to create a lasting “legacy” of high quality affordable housing in the capital.
In all 980 new homes will be built on the site with almost a third to be three bedrooms or larger. Larger homes are in short supply across the capital leading to overcrowding and poor living conditions.
City Hall says the St Andrew’s development will bring a number of benefits to the local area including a £3.5m investment in the upgrade of Bromley-by-Bow station, £1.7m towards new education provision and a new Primary Care Trust facility worth £4.6m.
Mayor Johnson said the development “will bring with it jobs, affordable homes, healthcare and education services to Tower Hamlets.”
The Mayor said that despite the economic downturn “we must not be downbeat and cannot halt construction in the capital – we need to continue to spend wisely and support these developments, as continued investment will sustain jobs so we are ready to compete in the global market when the upturn arrives.”
