How many planning applications has London Borough of Tower Hamlets received?

London Borough of Tower Hamlets received 1,399 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 89%.

How long does London Borough of Tower Hamlets take to decide planning applications?

London Borough of Tower Hamlets takes an average of 66 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for London Borough of Tower Hamlets?

London Borough of Tower Hamlets approves 89% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in London Borough of Tower Hamlets?

To object to a London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning application, you must submit your representation to London Borough of Tower Hamlets during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning decision?

Yes. If London Borough of Tower Hamlets refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 873 appeals were lodged against London Borough of Tower Hamlets decisions in the last 24 months, with a 23% success rate.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets Planning Applications

Q: How do I search London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning applications?

You can search London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

Search and explore London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: London

About London Borough of Tower Hamlets

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets, located on the north bank of the River Thames and adjacent to the City of London, encompasses a significant portion of the traditional East End and the revitalised London Docklands. With a mid-2019 population estimate of approximately 324,745 residents, this dynamic borough is a key area for planning applications, reflecting its ongoing development and urban regeneration initiatives.

Governance

Chair: Lutfur Rahman

Founded: 1 April 1965

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to London Borough of Tower Hamlets, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in London Borough of Tower Hamlets mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Area Information

Admin district: Tower Hamlets
Parliamentary constituency: Bethnal Green and Stepney
LSOA: Tower Hamlets 009A

Crime Statistics

2,557 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

anti-social-behaviour: 580
violent-crime: 574
theft-from-the-person: 255
other-theft: 240
shoplifting: 232
public-order: 150
drugs: 109
burglary: 103
bicycle-theft: 99
robbery: 87
vehicle-crime: 76
other-crime: 22
criminal-damage-arson: 16
possession-of-weapons: 14

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for London Borough of Tower Hamlets based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in London Borough of Tower Hamlets

23 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets area.

Monitoring Stations

7 flood monitoring stations near London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Walthamstow, Low Hall (River Lee)
Winsford Road (River Pool)
Hampstead Suburb (Mutton Brook)
Westminster (Thames Tideway)
Redbridge (River Roding)
Catford Hill (River Ravensbourne)
Tower Pier (Thames Tideway)

A brief summary of London Borough of Tower Hamlets

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets area recorded 2557 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

Conservation Areas

There are 58 designated conservation areas within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets area. Planning applications within or near these areas are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve architectural and historic character. Permitted development rights may be restricted.

Conservation areas include: Tower Hamlets Cemetery, Swaton Road, Carlton Square, Commercial Road, Medway, Clinton Road, Fairfield Road, Lowell Street, London Hospital, St Peter's, and 48 more.

The council area encompasses 23 towns and villages, including Bethnal Green, Bow, Poplar and Stepney. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search London Borough of Tower Hamlets Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets area. Unlike the official London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking London Borough of Tower Hamlets planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 1,399 planning applications London Borough of Tower Hamlets received. Of these, 89% were approved, with an average decision time of 66 days.

This is slightly above the national average of approximately 87%, indicating a broadly favourable planning environment in London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

At 66 days on average, decisions in London Borough of Tower Hamlets slightly exceed the 8-week statutory target for minor applications, though this is common across many councils.

The most common application types in London Borough of Tower Hamlets were full planning applications (389), discharge of conditions (332), amendments (110). Full planning applications account for 28% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 26 large-scale (major) developments, 17 medium-scale applications, 1,130 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

873 planning appeals were lodged against London Borough of Tower Hamlets decisions, of which 175 were allowed and 579 were dismissed (23% success rate). This low success rate indicates that the council's refusal decisions are generally upheld by the Planning Inspectorate.

Application Outcomes

Approved: 519 applications
Refused: 65 applications
Awaiting decision: 813 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.