Tower Hamlets Council has submitted the first planning application under the Mayor’s Accelerated Housing Programme (MAHP), targeting a former Victorian school site in Bethnal Green. This submission marks the first tangible delivery milestone for the borough’s initiative to increase the supply of council-led, affordable housing. The move follows the re-election of Lutfur Rahman as Executive Mayor on May 7, 2026, providing the administration with a mandate to proceed with the accelerated construction timeline.
The Bethnal Green proposals were finalized by the MAHP delivery team shortly before the local elections to demonstrate the programme’s shift from policy strategy into active planning. The scheme is the first of at least 37 council-owned sites identified for development, with a total target of 3,300 new homes across the borough. This specific project is being delivered through a collaboration between Matthew Lloyd Architects, Mace Consult, and Sphere 25.
Victorian school site redevelopment
The project focuses on the sensitive repurposing of a late Victorian brick school building. The architectural approach involves a retrofit and extension of the historic structure to provide 20 private tenure homes. By preserving the historic fabric of the school, the development aims to maintain the character of the Bethnal Green streetscape while modernizing the site for residential use.
Adjacent to the heritage building, a new five-storey structure will be constructed. This building is designed to house 24 social rent homes, contributing to the borough’s efforts to address the acute housing shortage in East London. The design incorporates a sequence of courtyards intended to maximize natural light and provide usable outdoor space for residents, navigating the constraints of a dense urban environment.
Affordable housing and community infrastructure
A core component of the proposal is the delivery of genuinely affordable housing, with over 60% of the units designated as affordable tenures. The scheme prioritizes family-sized units and accessible homes, responding to specific data regarding local housing needs. This focus is intended to allow long-term residents to remain within Bethnal Green as their family requirements evolve.
Beyond residential units, the site will host more than 1,000 square metres of community space. This includes a new Idea Store and Residents’ Hub, continuing the Tower Hamlets model of integrating library services, adult learning, and skills development within residential neighborhoods. The ground floor will feature flexible learning spaces designed to adapt to various community uses, with dedicated rooms above for study and local programming.
Environmental and architectural integration
The Mayor’s Accelerated Housing Programme emphasizes high-quality design that integrates with existing neighborhoods. In Bethnal Green, the height and massing of the new buildings have been adjusted to respect the surrounding context. Landscape architects have designed the outdoor environments to enhance local biodiversity, transforming the former school grounds into a greener asset for both residents and the wider public.
Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman stated that the submission represents a step toward turning ambition into delivery. He noted that the programme is designed to speed up construction on council land while ensuring new developments include vital community facilities. The administration intends to use this project as a template for further council-led housing projects across Tower Hamlets.
Planning timeline and next steps
The submission of the planning application begins a formal consultation period where local residents and stakeholders can review the detailed designs. Tower Hamlets Council expects a planning decision to be reached in summer 2026. If approved, the project will move into the procurement and construction phase shortly thereafter.
This Bethnal Green scheme serves as the pilot for the broader MAHP strategy. As the first site to reach this stage, it sets the procedural pace for the remaining 36 sites currently under review by the delivery team. The council continues to evaluate its land holdings to identify further opportunities for high-density, affordable residential development that aligns with the borough’s long-term growth targets.
Source: Tower Hamlets Council
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