A major riverside regeneration project at Orchard Wharf in Tower Hamlets has been given the green light, after Regal secured unanimous planning consent for a scheme that combines affordable housing, student accommodation, public open space, and a revitalised working wharf.
The development will deliver 208 affordable homes, meeting the London Plan’s 35 per cent target and providing much-needed high-quality housing in the borough. Alongside this, 1,365 purpose-built student rooms will help ease demand in London’s rental market and support the capital’s position as a global centre for education.
A key feature of the scheme is the revitalisation of the safeguarded wharf, unlocking 7,524 square metres of logistics floorspace for use by Thames Clippers Logistics. This will create a low-carbon river freight hub, reducing reliance on road transport and strengthening the role of the Thames as a vital transport artery.
The proposals, shaped in collaboration with Montagu Evans, include more than 7,400 square metres of landscaped open space. Features will include gardens, children’s play areas and community facilities accessible to residents and visitors. Designs by Howells incorporate an elevated riverside garden and careful integration with the surrounding neighbourhood, ensuring the scheme contributes positively to the wider Leamouth area.
Steve Harrington, Planning Director at Regal, commented:
“We are delighted that Orchard Wharf has secured Planning Committee approval. This is an important 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. Orchard Wharf exemplifies our commitment to creating places that balance housing need, economic opportunity and community benefit.”
William Poole, Partner at Howells, added:
“The committee’s decision marks a step change in London’s evolution towards more climate-resilient infrastructure solutions. The scheme enables the delivery of more than 1,500 homes in this riverside location, prioritising affordable housing alongside rooftop residents’ gardens that will be difficult to match elsewhere in the capital. We are proud to have reached this stage as part of a talented and determined team.”
Construction is expected to start in early 2026, following detailed design and delivery work. Once complete, Orchard Wharf will stand as a benchmark for co-location in London, demonstrating how housing, employment and high-quality public realm can be integrated within one development. It will also reinforce Tower Hamlets’ role at the forefront of London’s regeneration, setting a precedent for unlocking underused riverside land for long-term benefit.
Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
