Planning secured for 8x residential flats and commercial space in Waltham Forest

A great scheme which will bring new housing to a sustainable location, regenerate a dilapidated site and encourage new commercial enterprises to the area. We are delighted to have secured planning consent for the conversion, extension and alteration of a rundown commercial property, to create new commercial units at street level and residential flats on the first, second and third floors.

A planning refusal doesn’t have to mean the end of your development aspirations

We were approached to assist following two previous refusals for similar schemes on site.  Following a detailed review of the planning history, the reasons behind the two refusals, and a planning analysis on the revised project, it was clear that the developer had carefully taken all feedback from the LPA on board and had prepared a thoughtful scheme which presented multiple benefits to the local community.

We set about preparing a robust planning submission which demonstrated how the new proposed development accorded with national, regional and local planning policies and guidance.  This included:

• Context analysis – in its current form the property had become an unattractive addition to the high street with no immediate prospect of any commercial enterprises seeking to lease the space due to the level of investment and repairs needed to bring the buildings back up to functional standard;
• Sustainable location – close to local amenities and transport links meaning the proposals could be car free;
• Fallback position – Class MA, which through permitted development could allow the owner to change the ground, first and second floor to residential flats without the need for full planning permission.  However, the proposed mixed-use development represented a holistic approach, offering a better, more functional and a higher quality development;
• Identified growth area – Given its location within an identified growth area, retention of a commercial element was important and responded to local need;
• Viability – The proposed mixed use represented a pragmatic solution to bringing the building up to a high standard of repair in order for it to become an attractive addition to the Waltham Forest high street;
• Living conditions – we evidenced how there would be no amenity issues for existing and future occupiers with any previous concerns raised, such as overlooking, designed out.

We are so glad that this sustainable, policy compliant scheme which represents a real improvement for the immediate area can now be realised.  Well done to all involved in this project – looking forward to seeing the finished result!

About us

We are Plainview Planning – a solutions orientated, experienced and knowledgeable team of planning consultants.  If you need professional and informed planning support with your development project, then contact our team via enquiries@plainview.co.uk, to see how we can best assist you, providing the site address and a brief overview of your project. We value your privacy and any information which you provide will not be shared outside of our company and will only be used in relation to your enquiry.

IMAGE SOURCE: XL Studio London (2021)