Orchard Wharf approved to deliver 1500 homes

A major mixed-use redevelopment at Orchard Wharf in Tower Hamlets has received unanimous approval from the borough’s Planning Committee, paving the way for the delivery of more than 1,500 homes and a new low-carbon logistics hub on the River Thames.

The scheme, brought forward by Regal and advised by planning consultancy Montagu Evans, will deliver 208 affordable homes and 1,365 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) units. It meets the London Plan's affordable housing target of 35% and aims to ease pressure on both the local housing and student rental markets.

A key feature of the project is the regeneration of a safeguarded wharf into a 7,524 sq m logistics facility to be operated by Thames Clippers Logistics. The river-based freight hub is designed to reduce reliance on road transport and contribute to London's carbon reduction goals by reactivating the Thames as a working transport corridor.

In total, the development includes more than 7,400 sq m of public open space, with landscaped gardens, children’s play areas, and community amenities integrated into the site. The design, led by architecture firm Howells, features an elevated riverside garden and connections to the wider Leamouth area to support placemaking goals.

Steve Harrington, Planning Director at Regal, said the approval represents a "step towards delivering new affordable homes and high-quality student accommodation in Tower Hamlets while ensuring the long-term future of the wharf as a sustainable logistics hub."

William Poole, Partner at Howells, described the scheme as a "step change in London’s evolution towards more climate resilient infrastructure solutions," highlighting the integration of affordable housing and rooftop gardens in a high-profile riverside location.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, following the completion of detailed design and delivery planning. Once complete, Orchard Wharf is intended to serve as a model for co-location schemes, combining residential development, employment uses, and public realm enhancements within a single urban site.

The project reinforces Tower Hamlets’ strategic position in East London’s ongoing regeneration and sets a precedent for the future use of underutilised riverside land across the capital.