Mayor backs Pride and Island Point schemes

By John Hill on May 15, 2009 5:11 PM |

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Boris Johnson has approved Glenkerrin's linked Island Point and Pride proposals on Westferry Road.

The London Mayor followed Tower Hamlets Council in backing the plans this week, despite concerns from neighbours about their high density and effect on light.

Glenkerrin wishes to build a 189-unit development at 443-451 Westferry Road rising to eight storeys, as well as a 62-storey, 430-unit residential tower on the site of the City Pride pub. Having paid a reported £64.9million for the two sites, the Irish firm drew up a plan to site 91 per cent of the affordable housing at the former site, with just five per cent in the Pride tower.

Objectors to the schemes fear "ghettoisation" in the area, and were not shy in showing their rage when the council's Strategic Development committee passed both applications last month.

However, the Greater London Authority added its approval to that of the local authority after a meeting on Wednesday night, stating that "the applications are consistent with London Plan policy".

It concluded: "The principle of the redevelopment of both sites to provide residential led developments is in the interest of good strategic planning in London."