CABE slams Stock Woolstencroft's east London tower – again

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CABE has savaged Stock Woolstencroft's high-rise Stratford High Street scheme, next to the Olympic Park, for a second time, claiming it still has 'fundamental concerns' about the revised proposals.

The design watchdog's review panel repeated many of its original criticisms about the large housing-led development, in particular the design quality of the 'generic' 43-storey tower at the heart of the project.

Although the practice has lowered the height of the skyscraper by two floors since the initial CABE review in August, the commission said these 'minor refinements' did not allay its fears about the seven-block scheme, which will sit on an approach to the huge new Stratford City development.

The report begins: '[The] revisions are not sufficient to address our fundamental concerns about the quantum and architectural quality of development proposed. We continue to think that the architects and client need to reconsider the brief and urban design strategy for this project based on a sound understanding of the site and its role in the wider Stratford context.'

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And CABE's comments about the 'architectural expression' tower are almost identical to those in the previous report.

It says: 'The CABE/English Heritage Guidance on tall buildings states that tall buildings should set exemplary standards in design relative to their high profile and local impact; this project is not only on a prominent site, but will also be highly visible in the international coverage of the Olympics.

'However, we find the architecture of the tower generic and we are not convinced that the alleviating architectural devices can be achieved in reality.'

Stock Woolstencroft was unable to comment – the tower has been locally approved by Newham Borough Council and is awaiting the thumbs up from the local government authority.