Concert at Bow Church: (Friday 9th June, 7.30PM)

Come to a concert at church at Bow Church,9 June, 7.30pm – an evening of summer music in a serene setting as Queen Mary University’s Chamber Ensemble and QMUL All Stars are joined by soloists to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 23 as well as big band jazz. Tickets £7 (full price) or £3 (students QMUL Alumni, concessions). Buy tickets in advance or on the door. 

Planning News: Benjy's Towers (Again!)

I have had a few neighbours ask about how the proposals for redevelopment of the 562 Mile End Road site  (aka Benjy's Towers) are going. Apologies for not posting the news earlier that, in late April, Tower Hamlets Strategic Development Committee voted 6-1 AGAINST the revised 12-storey proposals.

So that's 43-, 25-, 15- and now 13-storey plans that Galliard Homes have proposed for the site over the years.

The strategic committee still have the following concerns: height compared to neighbouring buildings, density, air pollution, single parking space and lack of service provision.

Nigel Whitfield, one of the speakers who objected to the proposals, has put together a blow-by blow (well tweet-by-tweet) account of how the night unfolded.

It will be interesting to see what Galliard Homes come up with next.

Planning News - Appeal to develop land at rear of 48-52 Grove Road DISMISSED

In November 2015 St Johns Development Ltd submitted an application "Proposed one x bedroom dwelling". This was refused by LBTH and the decision upheld by the planning inspectorate (see here).

Then in November 2016 St Johns submitted a new application " Erection of single storey B1 (office) building and extension to cycle storage". This too was refused (see here). 

And now, thanks in part at least, to the 27-odd residents who wrote objection letters and of course to MEOTRA's David Berridge, an appeal to the Secretary of State via the Planning Inspectorate has also been dismissed.

One has to wonder what St Johns will try next? Will they look after the space as a garden for the residents of 48-52 Grove Road as they agreed to do in their original (granted) planning application?

Urban Makers East Market - this Sat/Sun 12-5PM, Ecology Pavilion

This weekend sees the return of the Urban Makers East Market to the Ecology Pavilion in Mile End Park (that's the venue in the park between the Britannia Fish Bar and Roman Road).

The market contains a carefully curated selection of contemporary designer makers with stalls selling original art works, homeware, jewellery, textiles, stationary, knitwear, hip children's clothes and much more. There are plenty of activities for children too (see below).

There are also four workshops running over the weekend:

Saturday: 11.30–1.30pm Make your own beaded hanging planter with Caron Goldman
2–4pm Create a collage with The Artistic Side of Life.

Sunday: 11.30–1.30pm Bespoke Face Mask Workshop with Suzie from Soothe-Me
2–4pm Bathbomb making with Philly Aime

Laurence King Publishing will be providing a range of activities. They will be supplying colouring and comic making books to the ever popular Minimakers’ Craft Room, hosting two temporary tattoo booths for kids and adults, plus children will be invited to dress as their favourite superhero for an action-packed treasure hunt. Laurence King will also be selling discounted books and games from their creative range of titles.

The event runs both Saturday and Sunday from 11-5PM