Planning wrap: Columbus, News Int denied

Plans for both Columbus Tower and News International's Wapping redevelopment have both been rejected by Tower Hamlets Council.

The large-scale projects were put before the Strategic Development Committee last night (Thursday), but no applications on the list emerged from the meeting with planning permission.

The development of the Eric and Treby estates also failed to get the green-light. All applications will now be deferred while officers draw up reasons for rejection.

Commercial Estates Group were hoping to build a 63-storey tower on the site of Hertsmere House, opposite the Museum of London Docklands and West India Dock. But committee members voted 6-2 to reject the plan as it would impact on the light reaching neighbouring properties. The committee also confirmed the scale and massing was "totally unsuitable" for a development in a conservation area.

The developer submitted an "essentially identical" planning application to one that was green-lit back in 2005. It had refreshed the plan as this permission was due to run out in March next year.

Committee member Tim Archer said: "On balance, the committee felt it was not the right building to be approved a second time around."

News International was also hopeful of getting permission for its redevelopment plans for its Wapping site. The media giant was keen to turn the area into its UK headquarters, allowing brands such as Myspace, Dow Jones, Harper Collins and Fox to join The Sun and The Times in East London. The scheme would also feature "a modern campus style office building", shops, restaurants and a museum.

Mayor Boris Johnson appeared unimpressed by the application, ordering it to be referred to him if approved by the council. He demanded further information on transport measures to offset the increased traffic around the site, and wanted News International to take extra steps to meet the 20 per cent target for renewable energy generation.

The council's committee voted 7-1 last night to draw up reasons for rejection, stating that the scheme would involve the destruction of the Grade II listed Rum Warehouse, that renewable energy levels were too low, and that it ignored police advice that gates should be installed to reduce anti-social behaviour in open spaces.

It also pointed out that the section 106 planning contribution was insufficient considering the number of extra workers, and that a shuttle bus was "not a good use" of the money. It argued the impact of extra workers on local residents had "not been taken into account".

Chair Shafiqul Haque cast his deciding vote to ensure that the regeneration of the Eric and Treby estates in Mile End was not approved. The plan would have involved work including the demolition of 27 bedsits and the erection of buildings between two and seven storeys. The finished development would have provided 181 new residential units, a new community centre, commercial space and a housing office.

The scheme did not win over the committee, who pointed out that it would result in a 25 per cent loss of open space and a 40 per cent loss of parking, with the gain of only 19 new social homes. As the bid had been deferred from a previous meeting, only those who had previously voted were eligible to make the decision, and Cllr Haque's vote swung the committee towards deferral and eventual rejection by a tally of three to two.

Committee member Tim Archer was asked by the chair to draw up explanations for all three decisions, and officers will work up official reasons for rejection in the coming days.