Landmark regeneration scheme for London's riverfront approved

Plans for a major regeneration scheme which will see creation of a new neighbourhood on the north bank of the River Thames, were approved at Tower Hamlets Council meeting this week (September 3).

The plans for the redevelopment of Orchard Wharf, a safeguarded wharf that has been vacant since the 1990s, will deliver hundreds of affordable homes and purpose-built student accommodation, as well as bringing the wharf back into active use for waterborne freight.

Cllr Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, said:

“The scheme responds directly to London’s acute housing pressures, offering high-quality, tenure-secure homes for our residents.

“The homes on the site are 100 per cent affordable and include 65 family-sized homes that are much needed in our borough.

“This is the latest major redevelopment that we’ve approved in Tower Hamlets and it will transform this vacant site into a vibrant new neighbourhood and create many new opportunities and jobs.”

The Orchard Wharf development will deliver a mix of uses, including:

• 208 affordable homes across two buildings, all located on the riverfront
• 1,365 purpose-built student bedspaces across five buildings
• 526 sqm of commercial space fronting Orchard Place
• New public realm, landscaping, and pedestrian access to the Thames

Of the affordable homes, 70 per cent will be delivered at Tower Hamlets and Mayor of London Affordable Rent levels, including 65 family-sized units and 21 wheelchair-accessible dwellings.

All homes meet or exceed minimum space standards and benefit from private outdoor space, shared podium gardens, and views over the River Thames and East India Dock Basin.

The masterplan comprises seven buildings ranging from 24 to 8 storeys, arranged to respond sensitively to the surrounding context.

The site retains its designation as a safeguarded wharf, and plans integrate a flexible Wharf Box logistics facility at ground level, enabling sustainable waterborne freight operations.

This strategic infrastructure supports the London Plan’s goals for low-carbon freight movement, with last-mile deliveries via low-emission vehicles and a car-free approach across the site.