Developers sent a leaflet to local residents proposing three extra storeys for two planned towers at Lea Bridge Station, reports Josh Mellor, Local Democracy Reporter

Two towers above Lea Bridge station are likely to be even higher than originally planned.

Earlier this year, developer London Square won planning permission for the 26 and 23 storey towers and a courtyard building at the junction of Lea Bridge Road and Orient Way.

In a leaflet sent to local residents, the developer said their plans have become “less financially viable” due to incoming planning rules requiring a second staircase in all buildings more than 30 metres high.

They added: “Therefore, we are proposing to increase the height of the two tallest buildings by three storeys, so we can deliver the same residential space as before.”

The developer argued that three more storeys would create “no additional townscape or heritage impacts” and claimed that the wind and overshadowing effect on the neighbourhood is “comparable” to the original plans.

When completed, the taller towers would be the second and joint-third tallest in the borough next to 34 and 26-storey towers planned at The Mall (now known as 17&Central) in Walthamstow town centre. 

Lea Bridge resident Claire Weiss, who objected to the original plans, has written to the council to raise concerns that the “unprecedentedly high” towers will define views over the Lea Marshes and that any extra storeys would “amplify the adverse effect”.

She added: “While this is based on the need for two staircases there should be other ways of dealing with the replacement of loss of habitable space.

“The taller towers will affect the light and views of residents in the Motion estate who were sold their flats only a few years ago on the basis of having extensive views over the marshes.

London Square plans to submit a formal application for the extra storeys this summer.

The developer is working in partnership with Waltham Forest Council, which owns the land, to build a total of 345 flats.

Last year, former council leader Clare Coghill – who ran the council when London Square won a bid to develop the sites – attracted controversy by joining a company owned by the developer.

The council’s planning department has already approved an application to add new staircases to each of the three buildings.

Cllr Ahsan Khan, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “The work at Lea Bridge will create hundreds of new homes, 213 of which will be for London Affordable Rent or shared ownership – increasing the total from 50 per cent to 59 per cent and providing more family homes for local people.

“The project will also bring job opportunities for local residents, an increase in local biodiversity, and improved public spaces.”

Conservative group leader Emma Best said: “The construction of The Mall development is showing the horror of these out-of-place monster blocks on communities.

“Our Labour council would do well to reflect on the destruction they have already created and refrain from making it worse.

“We all want to see new development and housing but the evidence is clear that blocks of these sizes are not environmentally friendly and create health inequality.

“We must focus on creating homes not ‘units’.”

For updates on the proposed changes, visit the developer’s dedicated website and to comment, email [email protected]

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