Tower Hamlets is gearing up for major developments, including a new cricket pitch and a bridge connecting to Newham, all set for 2025.
London: Big changes are on the horizon for Tower Hamlets in 2025. The area is set to see a new cricket square in Victoria Park, a public inquiry about a potential Chinese embassy, and the start of a major housing project at the old Westferry Printworks site.
The council is moving ahead with plans to demolish some old buildings to make way for 407 new homes and a revamped community center. It’s all part of a push to improve the area and provide more housing options.
In December 2024, Tower Hamlets Council got back its planning powers, which means they’ll be making decisions on big projects in parts of Bromley by Bow and Fish Island for the first time in over a decade. So, there’s a lot to look forward to!
Speaking of exciting news, in June 2025, the borough will unveil its very first grass cricket pitch in Victoria Park. The council is teaming up with cricket organizations to make this happen, aiming to boost cricket participation for everyone, regardless of age or background.
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, is really optimistic about this new pitch. He believes it’ll give locals a chance to play cricket at a high level, which is pretty cool!
Now, about that public inquiry: it’s set for February 2025. It’ll look into whether a Chinese embassy can be built in the borough. There are mixed feelings about this, with some folks worried about security and the potential for protests.
Last month, the council rejected the plans again, citing concerns about the embassy attracting large crowds. The Chinese embassy insists their proposal is top-notch and follows UK planning guidelines.
On the housing front, the first phase of the Westferry Printworks redevelopment is kicking off this year. They’re planning to build over 1,300 homes, with a good chunk of them being affordable. This is a big deal for the community!
And let’s not forget about the Mayer Parry Bridge, which is set to open in March 2025. This bridge will connect Tower Hamlets to Newham, making it easier for people to get around. It’s part of a larger project that includes a massive data center, which is pretty exciting for the area.
So, there’s a lot happening in Tower Hamlets, and it looks like 2025 is going to be a big year for the borough!
