Petition: Mansards in Tower Hamlets Conservation Areas

We the undersigned residents of Tower Hamlets welcome the recommendations of the report of the Tower Hamlets Overview and Scrutiny Committee resulting from its meeting in January 2015. In particular:

•         That the ‘Council should recognise the detrimental impact that some planning restrictions are having on residents and the social capital of an area and redress the balance in favour of planning applicants, whilst still seeking to protect and enhance the Borough’s heritage’,

•         For the Council to ‘be more permissive towards extensions, particularly mansard roofs within Conservation Areas’

•         To issue ‘New Supplementary Planning Guidance for mansard roof extensions in Conservation Areas’

We also welcome the strong show of support by Councillor Rabina Khan for a change in planning policies in Tower Hamlets conservation areas to accommodate the needs of growing families and residents needing extra living space in order to care for dependents.

For too long residents of Tower Hamlets Conservation areas have suffered due to planning policies, which, because they have effectively banned mansard roofs, have forced many to move out of the area. This has undermined the sustainability of local communities in the borough, causing a detriment to all Tower Hamlets residents. 

We urge Tower Hamlets council to implement the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with all the urgency and seriousness that they demands.

[37 Names Redacted]