Hackney Council considers 23-storey Homerton tower plans

Plans have been lodged with Hackney Council for a significant residential development on Homerton High Street, featuring a 23-storey co-living tower and an adjacent block containing flats for social rent. The proposal, put forward by developer Re:shape, includes 385 en suite rooms in the tower, designed for single occupants who would share communal facilities. Alongside this, an eight-storey building is planned to provide 66 self-contained flats, all designated for social rent.

Developer's Rationale and Community Space

Re:shape stated that the existing industrial buildings and a mosque on the site have not contributed positively to the street scene. The developer aims to redevelop these decaying structures. The scheme also proposes to create 650 square metres of commercial workspace, divided into 10 units offered at a minimum of 50 per cent below market rates to support local small and medium-sized businesses. The mosque located on the site was reportedly due to relocate in June of this year, according to its website.

Resident Opposition and Planning Concerns

The development has faced opposition from hundreds of residents who have signed a petition expressing concerns about the tower's height and density. Petitioners argue that the proposed building is disproportionately tall and could overshadow nearby homes. They are urging the council to reduce the maximum height to 14 storeys and require evidence that the increased population will not worsen traffic congestion on Homerton High Street. The petition states support for new homes but objects to the current proposal's scale, density, and focus on private rental co-living, while lacking clear commitments to family-sized or affordable homes and street safety.

Hackney Council's planning officers have also voiced reservations regarding the project. Concerns include the necessity of demolishing a community space and the overall scale of the proposed buildings. Heritage officers noted that the tower would compete with the skyline of the nearby Grade II-listed St Barnabas Church.

Background to the Proposal

This is not the first residential scheme proposed for the site. Hackney Council had previously resolved to grant permission for a different project in 2020, but it was never implemented. Subsequent changes to building safety regulations in 2022, alongside the high costs associated with conventional developments, led Re:shape to propose the current co-living model in 2025 as an alternative approach. Re:shape has previously developed projects including the Woolwich Electric Works regeneration and a co-living scheme in Tower Hamlets.

The plans are scheduled to be presented to Hackney's planning committee for a decision at a future date.