Historic terrace faces "outrageous" demolition bid
A VICTORIAN terrace building which survived the blitz could face demolition at the end of the month – and the council claims it can do nothing about it.
The former dock workers’ coffee house at 615 Manchester Road should become part of Coldharbour’s conservation zone on October 10 after repeated bids to replace it with flats. But owner John Farah has blindsided the council by announcing plans to knock it down a couple of weeks beforehand.
Campaigners were shocked to learn this week that the Bournemouth-based architect does not even need clearance to raze the historic 126-year-old building to the ground.
Tower Hamlets’ head of development decisions Michael Kiely said: “Demolition of a building generally only requires permission if it involves a building in a conservation area or a listed building.
“Where a residential building such as this – which is neither listed nor in a conservation area – is proposed to be demolished there are planning and building regulation procedures that have to be followed and we are checking the owner is following them.�
Neighbour Pieter Theron helped collect 162 signatures calling for the protection of the building last year.
He said: “It’s an act of pure vandalism. The council has been working for years to include this area in the conservation zone and to recognise the history and prominence of Glen Terrace.
“This is the cornerstone of Glen Terrace. If it is allowed to be demolished, the extension of the conservation area will be pointless.�
Mr Farah has already informed tenants he plans to tear down the building to basement level, retaining the ground floor at the front and the party wall. But even if he is successful, there will be close scrutiny on what is built in its place.
Council planners have rejected four separate applications for flats ranging from six to eight storeys over the last two years, and British Waterways has objected as the scheme encroaches onto the access walkway to the Manchester Road bridge.
Any development will also be subject to the new conservation rules, which will only allow something that matches or enhances the area.
Glen Terrace residents have contacted MP Jim Fitzpatrick and council officers, and Blackwall and Cubitt Town councillor Peter Golds is hoping to be able to find a way to delay demolition until the area’s conservation status kicks in.
He said: “I think the whole thing is utterly outrageous.
“This is one of the last Victorian street scenes on the Isle of Dogs. It makes a complete mockery of the planning process.�
Mr Farah was approached by The Wharf, but declined to comment.
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