Conservation and urban design

Tower Hamlets is responsible for caring for the historic environment and ensuring that new development is designed to the highest standards.

We have adopted a strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment, which sets out a vision for the boroughs heritage and provides a framework to help ensure that plays an influential role in the wellbeing of Tower Hamlets’ communities and businesses.

The borough has a great many heritage assets, such as:

• conservation areas
• listed buildings
• world heritage sites
• registered parks and gardens
• scheduled monuments
• locally listed buildings.

We work with communities, businesses and other organisations to preserve and enhance these heritage assets, through the planning process and through wider initiatives. We are assisted by a design review panel, which provides independent and professional design and conservation advice on development proposals and other issues.