Building Compliance in Tower Hamlets

The council adopted the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing Benefits on 15 January 2020. Policy D.ES7 in Policies Part 2 sets zero-carbon requirements using a Part L 2013 baseline, including a minimum 45% on-site reduction and offsetting for the remainder. For a new scheme, an energy statement should distinguish the planning carbon calculation from current building regulations compliance. Do not silently substitute one baseline for the other.

Under Policy D.ES6, new residential development must achieve maximum water use of 105 litres per person per day. Refurbishment and other non-domestic development should meet BREEAM water efficiency credits. For Tower Hamlets housing, water calculations should test the proposed taps, showers, baths and appliances against that local figure before fittings are ordered. A general claim that the specification saves water does not explain the calculated consumption.

Policy D.ES10 requires new development to avoid overheating and excessive heat generation while minimising internal air conditioning. Its supporting text expects major schemes to show overheating analysis against a mid-range climate scenario for the 2030s. Commission overheating assessments while shading, glazing and ventilation remain adjustable. Record the weather assumptions and opening restrictions so the thermal model describes the design that can actually be occupied.

Tower Hamlets policy also sits alongside the London Plan 2021, whose sustainable infrastructure chapter includes energy, overheating and water policies. Our London Plan energy assessments can help organise the regional evidence alongside D.ES7 and D.ES10. The council's validation page still cites older London Plan editions, so agree the applicable policy and modelling basis rather than copying its historical references into a new submission.

The additional licensing designation covers the whole borough from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029 unless revoked earlier. The council describes coverage of privately let properties, including flats, occupied by three or more people in two or more households. Check occupancy and the correct licensing route before a shared-house conversion. Fire risk assessments, EPCs and legionella risk assessments can support the relevant safety and management work, but do not themselves grant a licence.

The selective licensing page says that scheme ended on 30 September 2026 and that no selective scheme operates from 1 October 2026. However, existing licence conditions continue until each licence expires. Owners in the former Weavers, Whitechapel and Spitalfields and Banglatown area should check their own documents rather than assuming the closure cancels existing obligations. This is separate from the borough-wide additional licensing designation.