Industry News 5


Council to demolish former office in in Tower Hamlets for 53 new homes


T


ower Hamlets Council has approved plans to demolish a former council office building in Bethnal Green East to make way for 53


affordable homes. Albert Jacob House, on Roman Road, will be


demolished and turned into a new development of five to nine stories, containing 53 homes, and five commercial units on the ground floor for local businesses. Te project, approved by the development


committee in June, is part of the council’s ongoing home building programme and another “major development” in its goal to deliver 4,000 new social homes for rent. Lutfur Rahman, executive mayor of Tower


Hamlets, said: “We are determined to meet the urgent demand for social housing in Tower Hamlets, with far too many families currently living in overcrowded or unsuitable conditions. Tis is an important project that will provide 53 much-needed social rent homes for our residents.” Te development was approved subject to


planning obligations and conditions. It has been designed by Child Graddon Lewis, an RIBA award- winning architecture practice based in London with three decades of design experience. Christopher Gilligan, associate at Child


Graddon Lewis, said: “Te project has been a real collaborative success, with both the client and project team all striving to deliver essential, affordable, sustainable, and joyful homes. Te proposed building as well as its landscaping


successfully weave themselves into the existing urban grain, really transforming the quality of the public realm experienced at street level for the benefit of new and existing neighbouring residents.” He continued: “We are particularly excited


by what feels to be the jewel in the scheme, the combined landscaping, play and amenity between Albert Jacob House and Godley VC House, which creates a public space that is tranquil, safe, and welcoming for all.”


Habinteg welcomes two new board members


Habinteg Housing Association has announced the appointment of two new members to its board – Luke McCreery and Richard Blakey. McCreery and Blakey have joined the social


housing landlord’s board, adding their decades of experience in operations, property and strategic delivery. MCreery is a specialist in property maintenance and building safety with extensive experience in the social housing sector. He is currently a director at Curo, a housing


association in the south west of England, where he started as an apprentice in 2005. Luke also serves as chair of trustees for homelessness charity Emmaus Bristol. “With a track record of delivering high quality,


cost effective solutions, he brings both operational insight and strategic experience,” said the social


landlord. “He is passionate about improving living standards for customers and ensuring long term asset sustainability.” Luke joins Habinteg as a member of the organisation’s Investment Committee. Richard Blakey has been chief financial officer


at the charity Mencap since 2021 where he also has executive responsibility for a range of support functions such as technology, data, property and strategic delivery. He will take the role of chair of Habinteg’s audit, risk and assurance committee from September 2025. Before joining Mencap, Richard worked in a


series of senior finance roles in public and third sector organisations, including Peabody housing association and Essex County Council. Currently, he is the treasurer trustee at the National Brain Appeal, a charity dedicated to raising funds for Te National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. Habinteg’s Interim CEO, Martin Warhurst, said:


“Luke and Richard bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields, adding to the extensive expertise we already have on our Board.


“Habinteg champions inclusion by providing and promoting accessible homes and neighbourhoods that welcome everyone, including disabled and older people”


“I and the rest of the board look forward to


working with them as we continue to find new ways to deliver great customer service, and to build and promote high quality accessible homes.” Habinteg said it “champions inclusion by


providing and promoting accessible homes and neighbourhoods that welcome everyone, including disabled and older people, using its accessible housing expertise and influence to push for more homes to be built to accessible design standards.”


Housing Management & Maintenance August/September 2025


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