Tower Hamlets Council has officially entered the delivery phase of its largest-ever housing regeneration project, following the signing of a major development agreement with Vistry. The partnership focuses on the total redevelopment of Harriott House, Apsley House, and Pattison House, a site commonly known as the HAP estate.
The project will deliver 407 new homes in Stepney Green, providing a mix of social rent and private tenures. Beyond housing, the plan includes the construction of a new community centre and a purpose-built mosque to replace the existing facility currently located on the site.
Social housing and infrastructure for the HAP estate
The signing of the Phase 1 construction contracts on April 7, 2026, shifts the project from the procurement stage into active site preparation. This first phase is dedicated to delivering 109 new council homes. Among these, 59 are designated as replacement homes for existing residents, ensuring that those currently living on the estate are accommodated in modern facilities.
A key priority for this regeneration is addressing the borough’s high rates of residential density. The development includes 22 homes specifically designed for overcrowded families currently residing on the estate. Furthermore, four homes in the first phase will be fully wheelchair-accessible, with an additional 30 accessible units planned for the second phase.
The architectural design emphasizes connectivity and resident well-being. Two new landscaped courtyards will provide private amenity space for residents, while a new pedestrian street is planned to create a direct link between the estate and Stepney Green Park.
Housing allocations for overcrowded families
Phase 2 of the development will see the construction of the remaining 298 homes. While a portion of these will be for market sale to help fund the wider project, 66 units in this phase are reserved for council housing. This brings the total number of genuinely affordable social rent homes across the entire scheme to a level that makes it the flagship of the current administration’s housing policy.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, confirmed that the move into the construction phase is intended to turn long-term planning into physical reality. The Mayor noted that the partnership with Vistry East London is designed to deliver high-quality housing at a faster pace than traditional procurement methods, while also securing social value commitments such as local job opportunities and skills training for Stepney Green residents.
Timeline for construction and site preparation
The project team is currently finalising site preparation works and navigating the final regulatory hurdles required for large-scale urban developments. Full-scale construction is contingent on receiving Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator.
This regulatory milestone is currently forecast for mid-August 2026. Once approved, Vistry East London will begin the primary build immediately. The agreement signed this month ensures that Phase 2 will follow Phase 1 without delay, maintaining continuity in the regeneration of the estate.
Kevin Delve, Managing Director at Vistry East London, stated that the agreements reflect years of collaboration with both the council and local residents. The developer has committed to ensuring the new public spaces and community infrastructure provide lasting benefits to the wider Stepney Green area beyond the immediate footprint of the new apartment blocks.
The project is expected to generate significant local employment during the construction phase, with specific targets set for apprenticeships and local supply chain involvement.
Source: Tower Hamlets Council
Source check Housing Development Verification
This report is based on official development agreements and construction contracts signed by Tower Hamlets Council in April 2026.
- Confirmed signing of Phase 1 contracts with Vistry Group
- Verified housing unit breakdown for social rent and overcrowded families
- Cross-referenced Building Safety Regulator Gateway 2 forecast dates
- Source
- Tower Hamlets Council News
- Scope
- Tower Hamlets
- Updated
- 2026-05-20 16:55
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Article contextPeople & topics2#7
What do you think about this article?
Reader Ideas Newsroom
Have a sharper angle for this topic? Add it to the community idea board and let readers vote it up for editorial review.
/linkComments
8+ useful words can earn +10-60 DP; shorter replies can still publish without DP.