The draft Whitechapel Vision supplementary planning document (SPD) sets out a vision centred on the creation of a '21st Century Civic Hub' with improvements to the area including the construction of 3,500 new homes, seven new public spaces and squares and upgrades to Whitechapel Road.
The SPD includes plans for a number of new business opportunities in the area, including the creation of a life science research campus at Queen Mary University and Royal London Hospital. It anticipates the creation of over 5,000 local jobs. The area will benefit from improved connectivity after the completion of Whitechapel Crossrail station, which is due to open in 2018.
“Whitechapel Vision is about initiating change for the benefit of businesses, residents and visitors in the area," said Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman in a statement. “Over the next decade, as the centre of London moves east, Whitechapel is uniquely placed to benefit from increased investment and development, to become a key destination within London."
“We started this process as we know these developments are place-changing, and give an unprecedented opportunity to develop and design a vibrant and successful new area for London. This project will help us elevate Whitechapel, protecting what is best whilst bringing in investment and showcasing what the area has to offer the rest of London, and beyond,” Rahman said.
The consultation will be open for comments until 4 November. The Council said it hopes for the final version of the masterplan to be considered for adoption by its Cabinet by January 2014.
