Tower Hamlets council has approved plans to demolish Robin Hood Gardens in east London.

The Smithson-designed estate will be razed to the ground to make way for up to 1,575 new homes on a wider 7.7ha site as part of the £500 million Blackwall Reach regeneration scheme.

According to the masterplan drawn up by Horden Cherry Lee, working with Swan Housing and Countryside Properties and architect Aedas, this will include two towers, 40 and 35 storeys high.

Previously 1,700 residential units had been proposed, but the number was reduced after plans were submitted and the Greater London Authority complained that the density of the development is “not justified in terms of creating a sustainable community”.

As well as housing, the outline planning application also includes a school, mosque, energy centre, office, retail and community space.

The planning committee approved the proposals despite objections from English Heritage, which said it was concerned about the size of the planned buildings in relation to the grade II listed Church of All Saints.

Design Council Cabe also slammed the proposals, saying they “lack clear logic” and are likely to have a “detrimental impact” on the area.