PLANNING CONSULTANTS · TOWER HAMLETS
Planning consultants in Tower Hamlets
We prepare and coordinate the planning case and specialist reports for sites in Tower Hamlets covering Bow, Bethnal Green, Stepney, Wapping, Poplar and Whitechapel. This page sets out what London Borough of Tower Hamlets asks for when you apply, with links to the council's own documents.
THE COUNCIL'S DOCUMENTS
What Tower Hamlets
judges you against.
Validation list. Local validation list (online guidance pages) with Householder Planning Application Checklist (Sept 2020) and Full Planning and Outline Application Checklist (.docx) (Householder checklist V5 September 2020; full/outline checklist undated; online guidance pages cite Local Plan 2031 (Jan 2020); BNG page refers to exemptions as of 6 Aug 2026). An application missing a required document can be made invalid, which delays the decision.
This list dates from 2020, before the London Plan 2021 and statutory biodiversity net gain, so the national and London requirements apply as well. Our validation review confirms the current position.
Development plan. Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing Benefits (adopted, 2020); Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2038 (submitted 16 Feb 2026; hearings due 7 Jul 2026 postponed) (emerging, 2026); LLDC Local Plan (applies in former LLDC area: Hackney Wick, Fish Island, Bromley-by-Bow) (adopted); London Plan 2021 (adopted, 2021).
National policy. The National Planning Policy Framework and, for every London council, the London Plan 2021 sit alongside the local plan.
LOCAL PLANNING POINTS
Things that shape applications in Tower Hamlets.
Checked against the council's published policy and guidance. Each point links to its source.
- There are 58 conservation areas in Tower Hamlets, so many roof and front alterations need particular care. Source
- The council has adopted design guidelines for mansard roof extensions in five conservation areas (Clinton Road, Driffield Road, Medway, Ropery Street and Tredegar Square). Proposals must also improve the front of the house and make a contribution to a streetscape improvement fund. Source
- An Article 4 direction in force since 1 January 2021 removes permitted development rights to change a house (C3) to a small HMO (C4), so this needs planning permission within the area it covers. Source
- Additional HMO licensing covers the whole borough from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029, including flats shared by three or more people in two or more households. Source
- The selective licensing scheme in Weavers, Whitechapel and Banglatown & Spitalfields ran from 1 October 2021 and came to an end on 30 September 2026. Source
- A new Local Plan to 2038 was submitted for examination on 16 February 2026; hearings due to open on 7 July 2026 were postponed. Source
REPORTS TOWER HAMLETS ASKS FOR
Tower Hamlets's validation list, report by report.
Which of these your application needs depends on the project and the site. In Tower Hamlets, extra reports are triggered most often by a conservation area, tall buildings, near a listed building, air quality management areas, protected species, trees on or near the site. Enter the address in our application checker to see the list for your site.
| Report | Level | When it is needed | Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, metric and plans | Required | Major and minor schemes must provide a BNG assessment, metric, habitat plans and the LBTH BNG checklist, or a statement explaining any exemption.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, commercial, basements | Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Sch 7A; Tower Hamlets Local Plan biodiversity policy |
| Energy Assessment and Overheating Mitigation | Required | All major developments must submit an energy assessment that includes overheating mitigation.Applies to: major schemes | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.ES7, D.ES10; London Plan SI 2 |
| Fire Statement | Required | Required for all major development.Applies to: major schemes | London Plan D12 |
| Planning Statement | Required | Required for all major development, major changes of use and listed building applications.Applies to: major schemes | Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 (general); London Plan |
| Drainage Strategy and SuDS Report | Required | Required for all major development.Applies to: major schemes | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.ES5, D.MW3, S.MW1 |
| Air Quality Assessment | Where relevant | Required for all majors, schemes with major earthworks or demolition, schools, health uses or open space, and new homes in areas of poor air quality on the Policies Map.Applies to: major schemes, one new home, 2 to 9 homes, changes of use, commercial | Tower Hamlets Local Plan S.ES1, D.ES2; London Plan SI1 |
| Tree Survey / Arboricultural Statement | Where relevant | Required where a scheme affects trees on or off site that are TPO-protected or in a conservation area, or other sizeable trees, prepared to BS5837:2012.Applies to: all applications | Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 |
| Construction Environmental Management Plan (incl. Construction Logistics for majors) | Where relevant | Required for all majors, which also need construction logistics details, and for minor works, basements included, likely to affect neighbours or the highway.Applies to: major schemes, basements, house extensions, one new home, 2 to 9 homes | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.SG4, D.DH2 |
| Land Contamination Assessment | Where relevant | Required on known contaminated or former industrial land, for major development, and for schemes on or next to public open space.Applies to: one new home, 2 to 9 homes, major schemes, changes of use, commercial, basements | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.ES8 |
| Daylight / Sunlight Assessment | Where relevant | Required for any proposal likely to harm light to neighbouring sensitive uses, and for all major residential schemes to show new homes get enough light (BRE method).Applies to: all applications | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.H3, D.DH6, D.DH8 |
| Design and Access Statement | Where relevant | Required for major development, listed building consent, and in designated areas (e.g. conservation areas) for 1+ dwellings or 100 sq m+ of floorspace.Applies to: major schemes, one new home, 2 to 9 homes, commercial, changes of use | DMPO 2015 Article 9 |
| Biodiversity Survey and Report / Urban Greening Statement / Ecology Assessment | Where relevant | Required for all majors, for sites in or next to a SINC, and where wildlife may be affected, e.g. within 50 m of woodland or water, or work to roofs of pre-1914 buildings; majors include an Urban Greening Factor.Applies to: all applications | Tower Hamlets Local Plan S.OWS1, D.ES3; London Plan G5 |
| Biodiversity Survey and Report (householder) | Where relevant | Householder applications need a biodiversity survey where wildlife may be affected, especially bats.Applies to: house extensions | Householder checklist (no policy cited) |
| Financial Viability Assessment | Where relevant | Required where affordable housing is triggered, viability is relied on, or policy-compliant obligations are not offered.Applies to: major schemes | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.SG5, D.H2; Development Viability SPD 2017 |
| Flood Risk Assessment | Where relevant | Required for all applications in Flood Zone 2 or 3, including new buildings and basement or ground floor extensions (householder schemes included).Applies to: all applications | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.OWS4, D.ES5 |
| Health Impact Assessment | Where relevant | A rapid HIA is needed for majors in poor air quality areas and for schemes with schools, health, leisure, takeaways, betting shops or open space; GLA-referable schemes need a detailed HIA.Applies to: major schemes, commercial, changes of use | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.SG3 |
| Heritage Impact Statement | Where relevant | Required where a scheme affects listed buildings, conservation areas or their settings, involves such demolition, or disturbs ground in an Area of Archaeological Potential.Applies to: all applications | Tower Hamlets Local Plan S.DH1, S.DH3, S.DH5, D.DH6 |
| Lighting Assessment | Where relevant | Required for publicly accessible schemes, floodlighting, tall buildings, and external lighting near homes, listed buildings or conservation areas.Applies to: all applications | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.DH1, D.DH2, D.DH8 |
| Noise Impact Assessment and Mitigation Details | Where relevant | Required where noisy plant or uses could disturb neighbours, or noise-sensitive uses are near noise sources; sound insulation details are needed for food and drink uses, residential conversions and homes on main roads or near the A12.Applies to: all applications | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.TC3, D.ES2, D.DH8 |
| Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment | Where relevant | May be required for major development or medium-to-large schemes with significant townscape effects; normally part of the EIA where one is needed.Applies to: major schemes | Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031 |
| Transport Assessment | Where relevant | Required for all major development and any application with significant transport implications.Applies to: major schemes | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.TR3, D.TR4 |
| Transport Statement | Where relevant | Required for schools, nurseries, hospitals and places of worship, for 100 sq m+ of commercial or community floorspace, and for minor schemes where parking stress or PTAL suggest transport impacts.Applies to: commercial, changes of use, one new home, 2 to 9 homes | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.TR3, D.TR4 |
| Travel Plan | Where relevant | Required where significant transport effects are likely, e.g. major residential or commercial schemes or changes of use that raise trip rates.Applies to: major schemes, changes of use, commercial | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.TR3, D.TR4 |
| Wind Impact Assessment | Where relevant | Required for buildings of 10 storeys or more, or free-standing buildings much taller than their surroundings.Applies to: major schemes, 2 to 9 homes, commercial | Tower Hamlets Local Plan D.DH6, D.DH8 |
OUR SERVICES IN TOWER HAMLETS
Every report, one coordinated team.
All 54 services are available for sites in Tower Hamlets. Prices are starting estimates; we confirm the fee in writing before appointment.
Planning & strategy
Heritage & townscape
Water & ground
Environment & amenity
Ecology & landscape
Energy & sustainability
Transport & viability
Structure, basements & ground
- Structural feasibility notes
- Structural planning statements
- Basement impact assessments
- Basement construction method statements
- Ground movement assessments
- Groundwater & hydrology screening
- Geotechnical desk studies
- Ground investigation reports
- Slope stability assessments
- Retaining wall assessments
- Demolition & construction method statements
- Construction management plans
- Structural reuse & retrofit appraisals
- Structural condition discharge statements
OUR WORK IN TOWER HAMLETS
Applications we have supported here.
Neighbouring councils
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Planning in Tower Hamlets: FAQs
Still have a question?
Tell us about the site and we will confirm what Tower Hamlets will need and what it should cost.
Make an enquiryWhich reports does Tower Hamlets require for a house extension?
Tower Hamlets's list adds reports mainly when the site has constraints, such as a conservation area, tall buildings, near a listed building, air quality management areas, protected species, trees on or near the site. Drawings and the forms are always needed. Our application checker lists the reports for your address.
How up to date is Tower Hamlets's validation list?
The list we use is "Local validation list (online guidance pages) with Householder Planning Application Checklist (Sept 2020) and Full Planning and Outline Application Checklist (.docx)", dated Householder checklist V5 September 2020; full/outline checklist undated; online guidance pages cite Local Plan 2031 (Jan 2020); BNG page refers to exemptions as of 6 Aug 2026. Councils revise their lists, so we confirm the current version before you commission reports.
Do you cover every part of Tower Hamlets?
Yes. We work across the whole of Tower Hamlets, including the postcode districts E1, E1W, E2, E3, E9, E14, E98 and areas such as Bow, Bethnal Green, Stepney, Wapping, Poplar and Whitechapel.
Where are you based?
Our office is at Unit D New Wave House, 4 Humber Road, London NW2 6DW, and we work on sites across all 32 London boroughs, the City of London and OPDC.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Planning an application in Tower Hamlets?
Tell us about the site and what you want to build. We will tell you which reports Tower Hamlets is likely to need and what they should cost.
Call 020 8004 4464 or email info@greencodeconsultants.com.