Historic Whitechapel street under threat

SAVE has objected to renewed plans to demolish a rare surviving terrace of unlisted historic buildings on Vallance Road in London’s historic East End

9th February 2024

A historic street of terraced Victorian buildings in Whitechapel is being threatened by demolition under plans submitted by Transport for London's development company Places for London. SAVE Britain’s Heritage has submitted a strong objection to the demolition plans, which would see the entire west side of Vallance Road cleared.

The buildings date from the 1870s and are characterised by ornate facades showcasing a variety of architectural details and styles. The terrace also has a remarkable theatrical history, standing on the site of a former 19th century theatre The Pavilion, fragments of which still survive amongst the neglected frontages. Despite being within the protected Whitechapel Market Conservation Area, the buildings have been sadly neglected by the owners for decades and have been partly shrouded in scaffolding since 2012.

The terrace is an increasingly rare example of the kind of traditional streetscape with small shops and historic character that once characterised much of East London. Previous proposals for the street’s demolition were refused by Tower Hamlets Council in 2014 on grounds that demolition and their replacement with a much larger building would have an unacceptable heritage impact on the surrounding conservation area.

There are no proposals in the current planning application for what would replace the historic terrace, and no consideration has been given to alternative approaches for retaining and converting the buildings as part of the site’s regeneration. Instead, the applicant claims the buildings must come down on account of being in poor structural condition which prevents them being retained and refurbished. This is despite being under their ownership for decades.

We understand plans will be brought forward for a new ‘landmark’ building as part of a wider masterplan for the Whitechapel area. Concerns have been voiced that this will include a large-scale office and residential development at the expense of the historic buildings which currently characterise the once important thoroughfare, linking Whitechapel High Street and Bethnal Green to the north.

The buildings on the site are in split ownership, with No.1 Vallance Road (not under scaffolding) and 193-5 Whitechapel Road owned by TfL and Nos 3-13 Vallance Road (lead picture) owned by London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council.

You can object to the demolition plans by adding your comments here (or by using planning reference no. PA/23/02117/NC). 

See our letter of objection HERE and Historic England's HERE. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. For more information contact Elizabeth Hopkirk – elizabeth.hopkirk@savebritainsheritage.org/ 020 7253 3500.

2. SAVE Britain’s Heritage is an independent voice in conservation that fights for threatened historic buildings and sustainable reuses. We stand apart from other organisations by bringing together architects, engineers, planners and investors to offer viable alternative proposals. Where necessary, and with expert advice, we take legal action to prevent major and needless losses.

Image captions:

Image 1: 3-13 Vallance Rd, Whitechapel, London are owned by LB Tower Hamlets Council  and now under threat of demolition (© Alex Pink)

Image 2: 5 & 7 Vallance Rd, owned by LB Tower Hamlets Council, with its decorative window surrounds and parapet and 3 Vallance Rd with its original narrow shopfront (© Alex Pink) 

Image 3:17-29 Vallance Rd in 1961, showing the large scene doors entrance and gallery entrance beyond to the former Pavilion Theatre, all integrated into the terrace (© City of London, London Metropolitan Archives)

Image 4: 193-5 Whitechapel Road, which is owned by TfL along with 1 Vallance Road which adjoins around the corner (Google Streetview)