Havering (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Plans to convert offices into flats in Romford town centre have been resubmitted in Havering, marking a second attempt at redevelopment on South Street.
KGK Consultants Ltd has again applied for prior approval to turn the unoccupied offices on the upper floors of 136 South Street into two one-bedroom flats.
Will Havering Council approve the resubmitted Romford flats plan?
A previous application, received by Havering Council’s planning team in November 2024, was refused last month over noise and traffic concerns.
The new proposals are nearly identical, with the planning statement revealing that the two flats, each designed for two people, would sit on the first and second floors of the building.
As previously stated, there is no proposed change of use for Lucky Star, the ground floor adult gambling center.
The planning officer determined that the “potential noise” from the gaming center would “unacceptably impact on living conditions” when considering the prior application.
The inclusion of a suspended ceiling in each apartment, according to the statement included with the latest proposals, would “reduce the transmission of sound” between the residences and the gaming center.
The impact of the proposed development on traffic was previously suggested as another cause for denial.
The applicant also said in its planning statement that it is “open to signing a legal agreement with the council to exempt the future occupiers of the site from the residential parking zone”.
When a formal planning application is not required for a development, prior approval is considered to assess whether permission is needed.
It is anticipated that the Havering Council will decide on this most recent proposal by April 9, 2025.
How will the conversion impact local businesses and residents?
Increased foot traffic from more people living nearby could help local companies by drawing in additional clients.
Conversions can provide mixed-use complexes that blend business and residential areas, adding to the area’s overall vitality.
Because they increase demand for products and services from surrounding companies, the newcomers could help the local economy.
Startups or small enterprises searching for reasonably priced premises may be impacted by the decrease in office space available.
The operations and viability of current commercial tenants may be impacted if conversions result in their displacement.
The character of a once business-centric region may change with increased residential density, which some long-time residents or company owners may find unfavorable.
This sort of remodeling shows how developers and local governments are attempting to meet housing demands while repurposing vacant commercial areas.
Through online forums or council-sponsored community consultations, the general public can offer input on such plans.