Secretary of State allows Truman Brewery redevelopment appeals

The Secretary of State has allowed four recovered appeals concerning sites within and around the Truman Brewery estate in Tower Hamlets, granting planning permission for three major redevelopment schemes and listed building consent for works to the historic Boiler House.

The decision follows a public inquiry held between 14 and 31 October 2025. The Inspector recommended that all four appeals be allowed, and the Secretary of State agreed with those recommendations.

The appeals relate to a series of significant proposals across the Truman Brewery estate:

• Appeal A concerns 47 Grey Eagle Street, where planning permission has been granted for the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a new data centre comprising approximately 5,200 sq m of Use Class B8 floorspace.
• Appeal B relates to land bounded by Buxton Street, Spital Street, Woodseer Street and Brick Lane, together with land bounded by Woodseer Street and Hanbury Street. Planning permission has been granted for a comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment including the partial demolition and refurbishment of existing buildings, including the Boiler House and Cooperage, alongside five new buildings providing residential, office, retail, food and beverage, community, supermarket, microbrewery, market and event space uses.
• Appeal C concerns Ely's Yard, Dray Walk, where planning permission has been granted for a new mixed-use building providing approximately 4,500 sq m of office, retail and workspace accommodation, including affordable workspace, together with new landscaping and a pedestrian link.
• Appeal D grants listed building consent for external and internal alterations to the Boiler House, including refurbishment and repair works, replacement conservation roof lights, a new event space extension and the removal of later additions.

In reaching the decision, the Secretary of State considered the Inspector's report, the Environmental Statement, the development plan, national planning policy and other material considerations, concluding that the proposals accord with the development plan when considered as a whole.

The Secretary of State also recognised a range of public benefits arising from the proposals, including employment and economic growth, affordable workspace, housing delivery, community facilities, heritage enhancements and the redevelopment of brownfield land. While the proposals would result in less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets, it was concluded that these public benefits outweighed that harm in each case.

Russell Harris KC and Andrew Parkinson acted for the appellant, instructed by CMS LLP.