Community Life

Durkan's image of the development

Plans to build 139 flats at Gun Wharf to the south of the Hertford Union Canal were upsetting some people living nearby, but now the residents are delighted that councillors have seen their point of view. 

Mick Rowlinson and his neighbours were pleased by the Development Committee's decision on 8th October to send the application back for a further report on the grounds of its height, character and loss of industry.  In effect, this amounts to a rejection of the proposed scheme. 

Mick Rowlinson looks across to Gun Wharf

'We're relieved but not complacent', said Mick, adding, 'although the plans were thrown out for good planning reasons, Durkan (the developer) may try to find a way around the objections'.

Along with a group of his neighbours Mick's wife was one of those who spoke out at  the council meeting before the decision was made.  'This is a conservation area', says Mick, 'so the committee has an element of discretion about whether a development is suitable or not'.

Dave Miller, from Bike Works

The developer, Durkan, had hoped to demolish the existing small industrial units in Gun Wharf, which currently employ up to 100 people.   In their place Durkan wanted to erect 4 buildings of between 3 and 6 storeys, with retail space in the ground floor.

Bike Works, a community enterprise which recycles old bikes and runs an 'all ability cycle club' in Victoria Park, is one of the businesses which would have been forced to find a new home.  They employ 6 people full-time but also have a regular staff of 30 freelancers.  Dave Miller, a co-director of Bike Works, says, "to be able to do our activities we need to be near a park and I'm not sure we could find anywhere else near here".

Ali Sayed manages a neighbouring firm, Waste Way Europe, and says they're keen to stay because the retail outlets they service are in the neighbourhood.  "The last place we were was demolished for flats and we don't want to move again", added Mr Sayed.

Gun Wharf industrial units

Durkan Estates Ltd issued the following statement following the meeting; 'In light of Tower Hamlets Council deferring the decision on the application for Gun Wharf, Durkan Estates will be reviewing the proposals and carefully considering the points made by members of the Development Committee. Durkan is committed to delivering a high-quality development that delivers large affordable family housing for the people of Bow, which the Committee noted would be very welcome.'