As residents in the immediate area are aware, I have been working with concerned local residents for some time now on enforcement action and planning applications concerning the former warehouse at 87 Old Road.

I’m really pleased that the latest application to turn the building into flats has been refused by the Council.

The application was refused for the following reasons:

• The development would lead to additional on-street parking in an already congested area which could be dangerous for pedestrians and road users
• Residential use, together with the proposed new windows, would lead to residents on Bankwell Road becoming overlooked, and losing privacy
• Any potential occupiers of the property would have a poor outlook and be subjected to noise and disturbance from nearby industrial units and the Council depot.
• The windows looking over the Council depot would prejudice any future redevelopment of that site.

Whilst I am pleased that the views of the many local residents who wrote in to oppose this application have been taken into account, I fear we have not heard the last of applications for this building. The owners may appeal this decision, and could still appeal against the enforcement action the Council has authorised to remove the windows they installed earlier this year. There is also the possibility of an entirely new application for the site.

I’ll keep an eye on the situation, but in the meantime local residents are really pleased that this unsuitable development’s been turned down.