Datacentre Replaces Planned Homes
The UK government just bypassed local democracy to build a massive datacentre in London's historic Brick Lane. Here is what's replacing hundreds of planned homes.
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The UK government has overwritten local democracy to approve a £500 million redevelopment of the Truman Brewery estate in East London. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner cleared the way for the massive project in Brick Lane, rejecting opposition from Tower Hamlets Council and local campaign groups.
The approved plans by Truman Estates and Ziloff LLP will construct a noisy, energy-intensive data centre alongside offices and 44 homes. Of those 44 homes, only 11 are designated as affordable, with just 6 social-rented homes available.
The local council had previously adopted a plan that would have provided 350 homes instead. This decision comes as more than 30,000 households are currently registered and waiting for social housing in Tower Hamlets.
Campaigner Fatima Rajina warns the development will force long-term residents out, breaking up families and treating the community as mere artefacts.
