Newham Council has granted planning permission for the construction of a fifth storey on top of a former office block in Plaistow, a move set to expand the borough's housing supply. The approval allows real estate firm Imberstates Ltd to add a new top floor to Francis House at 760-762 Barking Road, which was previously converted from offices into residential flats.
Developer's Original Proposal Scaled Back
Imberstates Ltd initially applied for planning permission in April of last year to build two additional storeys on the property. However, during pre-application discussions, council planning officers advised that a two-storey extension would classify the building as a "tall building" under local policies.
Since the site is located outside any of Newham Council's designated tall building zones, where taller structures are permitted, such an expansion was deemed unlikely to receive approval. The planning statement submitted with the application noted that officers recommended reducing the height to a single storey to avoid triggering the tall buildings policy.
Compromise Leads to Approval
Following this guidance, developers opted to proceed with a more modest one-storey extension. Council planning officers emphasized that if a two-storey addition were pursued, it would require a comprehensive redevelopment of the existing building and site to better align with the surrounding context.
The newly approved fifth storey will contain five flats, comprising four one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom flat. Planning officers formally approved the application last Tuesday, March 17, stating that the development would "make a positive contribution to the borough's housing stock."
Background of Francis House
Francis House was originally converted from office space into residential flats after receiving council approval in January 2020. The latest extension represents a continued effort to maximize housing capacity in the area, addressing ongoing demand for homes in Newham.
This decision underscores the balancing act between development ambitions and local planning regulations, with the council's input shaping the final outcome to ensure compliance with borough guidelines while still adding to the housing inventory.
