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In a decision dated 10 February 2020, an inspector allowed an appeal by Live Urban One Ltd seeking planning permission for 21 apartments on the site of a demolished public house at 543 Commercial Road, London, E1. The local planning authority, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, had refused planning permission on the grounds that the proposal would make inadequate provision for affordable housing and provide an inappropriate mix of unit types. In the weeks preceding the appeal hearing, the appellant offered to provide 10% affordable housing, even though its own evidence indicated that this would not be viable. The Council accepted that this would be maximum achievable, subject to an early and late stage viability review. The inspector was content to resolve the issue of affordable housing on this basis. Having reached this agreement in relation to affordable housing, the Council withdrew its objection to the housing mix proposed. The inspector agreed that the “limited conflict” with development plan policy relating to housing mix “would be outweighed by the overall economic, environmental and social benefits of the appeal development”: [13]. Gwion Lewis acted for the successful developer, Live Urban One Ltd, instructed by Savills.
