Say no to the restaurant and bar roof terrace on top of the gym - object by 20th April

The Landlord has made a second application to Tower Hamlets Council for planning permission to develop a rooftop restaurant and bar for upwards of 90 patrons on top of the gym building and former Battery Club.

PA/23/00513/NC is for a design that is virtually unchanged from the application that was rejected by the council last summer. Instead of addressing the noise concerns that caused the Council to refuse the first application it appears the Landlord is relying on a new ‘Environmental Noise Assessment’ report that claims the rooftop terrace “would not be introducing a new or different noise to the area”.

According to the new noise assessment Canary Riverside residents already live in an exceptionally noisy location and so a new rooftop terrace with 100+ patrons would be unnoticeable above the ‘usual’ noise levels that residents already endure on a daily basis. ??? This is news to residents who enjoy living at Canary Riverside because it is a peaceful location…

The proposed terrace would impact all flats with windows and doors facing into the gardens, particularly in Belgrave Court and Eaton House. Eaton House and Belgrave Court ‘A’ residents are sheltered from the noise from the Mala terrace by the large wall and the gardens and noise from the Hotel terrace is negligible. Traffic noise is also not an issue for garden-facing rooms and the report presents an entirely different reality to that experienced by residents.

The Council rejected the first application on the grounds of unacceptable noise levels, particularly for flats above the rooftop terrace:

“…environmental health officers have confirmed that [the 1.8m glass balustrade] would only reduce the noise for residential units at the same storey or lower than the terrace. Given, that a number of the resident units are located at higher storeys than the terrace, this mitigation method would not be effective.”

The new application provides no additional noise mitigation. There would be nothing to protect residents from noisy gatherings on the rooftop terrace - which could range from corporate drinks events through to wedding celebrations or ‘bottomless brunches’ of the sort previously hosted by 28 West. We ask residents to object to the application, either by way of the on-line portal [click here: NB you have to register first to be be able to use the online portal] or by sending an email [click here for email address]. If appropriate please attach photos to your email that show the impact of the proposals to you. Objections must be made by 20th April.

The principal objection is in relation to noise disturbance. The terrace is open air and its location in the centre of our estate will result in significant noise disturbance through its extensive operating hours. Eg, from customers when dining/drinking, when leaving, staff clearing away plates and bottles and possibly music. Just a dozen lively people enjoying themselves on a warm summer’s evening can be noisy enough: imagine 80 talkative diners or a stand-up reception/roof-top wedding party with 100+ guests. Our buildings act to amplify the noise, with sound waves bouncing off hard surfaces. You may have your own memory of past disturbances when the Battery Club’s noisy patrons left through our gardens, or the clatter of dishes from the Ubon kitchens late into the night.

The Council dismissed residents’ concerns regarding loss of privacy, light pollution, nuisance/security etc. Please familiarise yourself with the Officer’s findings from last year before penning your objection to the new application.

Please use examples to illustrate your objections - eg, from past experience, or how the proposals directly impact you/your flat.

You might also be concerned about issues such as loss of view, or the impact on the value of your apartment: these are not things that the council are allowed to take into consideration. For examples of what is/is not a relevant planning consideration please click here.

The Landlord has already obtained planning permission to redevelop the 3rd and 4th floors to add bi-folding doors and a terrace on the river-facing walls. This application was approved without residents having been notified of the application. However, it has been granted and these enhancements to the existing two floors would make it an attractive venue. The roof terrace will cause considerable noise disturbance to residents. Please ensure you submit your objections to the roof terrace by 20th April 2023.