Approval of east London datacentre labelled ‘slap in the face’ for local democracy

Campaigners have criticized Housing Secretary Angela Rayner's approval of a £500 million redevelopment project on the Truman Brewery estate in Brick Lane, east London. The decision, made despite opposition from Tower Hamlets Council and local campaign groups, will result in a datacentre, offices, and 44 new homes, alongside other amenities such as a cinema, galleries, and community spaces.

The original plan proposed by Truman Estates and Zeloof LLP called for 350 affordable homes, but this was abandoned in favor of the current development. Save Brick Lane, a coalition of nine groups opposing the project, argues that the redevelopment will bring a noisy, energy-intensive datacentre and cause residents to move away, breaking up families.

Dr. Fatima Rajina of Nijjor Manush, a coalition member, claims the community had expressed a desire to preserve their families and homes. The mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, called the decision "deeply disappointing" and a "missed opportunity" to provide social and affordable housing. The coalition is considering legal action to challenge the government's ruling.