The Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Forum gives residents a real say in how Bow is planned, developed and protected.
Live consultations are available on the council’s consultation portal. Click on the link to view upcoming events.
Planning Watch: Summary
Undated: 21/09/2026. Read our posts or Newsletters for the full article.
1. Chisenhale Works
Chisenhale Works Redevelopment Proposal
A planning application (PA/26/01534/A1) has been submitted by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Mace Consult Limited to redevelop the western end of the Chisenhale Art Place (CAP) building.
Background & Proposal
Chisenhale currently houses Chisenhale Dance Space, Chisenhale Gallery, and Chisenhale Studios.
The full planning application and related documents can be viewed on the Council’s website under reference PA/26/01534/A1.
How to Comment: Public comments can be submitted via the Council’s online system or by emailing
development.control@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Deadline: October 16th.
2. Canal & River Trust announce new proposals for Bow Wharf – August 2026
The Canal & River Trust has unveiled fresh proposals for Bow Wharf, with feedback open until 5pm Monday 24 August. The plans again involve losing the locally listed banqueting venue and demolishing the three timber workspace buildings, and new site access would require demolishing the Trust’s own office next to the Mexican restaurant. This follows a previous 66-home scheme that was refused in December 2025 for providing far less affordable housing than policy requires and failing to protect employment land on the site, and comes shortly after the Trust finally released a 2019 heritage appraisal it had spent years resisting disclosing, following an Information Commissioner ruling against it.
Read about the new Proposals here.
Read our featured article about Bow Wharf here.
Bow Wharf : Lower tribunal hearing Read more.
3. 109a Antill Road
Early community conversation on proposed development
What’s being proposed?
The council is proposing 7–8 new homes on the site of the day centre at 109a Antill Road
The early designs show a mix of two and three-storey houses, mostly for sale.
Come and have your say:
📅 Saturday 8th August 2026, 11am–2pm
📍 Outside on the green area at 109 Antill Road
4. Temporary Works Site, Daling Way – Planning permission refused
The compound was erected on the Ranwell West estate in May 2024 without planning permission, with a letter sent to local residents informing them. A retrospective planning application was submitted in January 2026.
In May the Council refused planning permission.
5. Clare House
Demolition Started. Read more in our May newsletter.
Here is an article about Clare house on the Slice
6. John Onslow House, Roman Road Market
The former Council offices on Ewart Place, just off Roman Road Market, are earmarked for 225 new homes under the Mayor’s Accelerated Housing Programme (architects: Pollard Thomas Edwards). A development of this scale, directly adjacent to the market, could significantly affect traders and businesses on the high street for better or worse depending on how it is handled. The Council has acknowledged the opportunity to improve market infrastructure as part of the scheme. The Forum will push for meaningful community engagement from the earliest stages of design.
7. Zone F
The new draft Local Plan, agreed by full Council in November 2025 and now with the Secretary of State, proposes a sweeping new Zone F for tall buildings covering much of the borough and allowing heights up to 70 metres taller than the Clare House tower currently being demolished. The Forum has consistently opposed this. The Council’s own 2022 Tall Buildings Supplementary Planning Document concluded there was no strong justification for tall buildings across most of the central borough, citing significant heritage assets and modest existing building scale. Zone F largely ignores that evidence. When the independent examination opens in 2026, residents will be able to make formal representations. We will publicise the details when confirmed.
8. Caxton Grove
Planning permission granted for new homes and community centre
Caxton Hall Community Centre, Caxton Grove, Bow West Planning reference: PA/24/00164/A1
Tower Hamlets Council granted planning permission in May 2024 for the demolition of the existing Caxton Hall community centre and its replacement with a new building containing 36 affordable homes and a replacement community facility.
The approved scheme involves demolition of the existing building and ball court and construction of a part-7 and part-9 storey building with a basement, containing 36 dwellings classified as affordable housing, alongside a replacement community centre.
Caxton Grove sits on the Malmesbury Estate in Bow West.
Mayor of London Planning Hub
https://planapps.london.gov.uk/planningapps/PA-24-00164
Tower Hamlets Planning Portal
https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/caxton-grove