Commercial buildings in James Yard, behind Larkshall Road, will be demolished to make way for two six-storey apartment blocks, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
Proposals for 46 new flats in Highams Park have been green-lit by the council as part of a borough-wide push for more housing.
Commercial buildings in James Yard, behind Larkshall Road, will be demolished to make way for two six-storey apartment blocks.
The plans, put forward by Sherrygreen Ltd, were approved by members of Waltham Forest Council’s planning committee last night (2nd September).
Conservative councillors John Moss, who sits on the committee, and Tim James opposed the proposals alongside 29 residents.
A representative from Highams Park Planning Group said the towers would “destroy the open and much-loved village feel” of the area. He said the impact on neighbouring homes, which are between two and three storeys in height, would be “overpowering”.
The council’s planning department did acknowledge there would be a “low level of harm” to locally listed buildings but it was acceptable “on balance”.
A fellow resident said the plans, recommended for approval by planning officers, “would be considered acceptable by someone who doesn’t live there”.
Cllr Moss said, during a lengthy debate with committee members, the impact on some gardens’ natural lighting would be “devastating” and that the influx of residents would place extra strain on street parking.
He further protested that it would “never get built,” pointing to the fact the scheme was “£2.5million underwater without even buying the land” amid rising construction costs.
Residents previously said they would prefer to see office buildings, a ‘hot desking’ space – where remote workers can rent desks in an office – or a retirement home built on the land, instead of new homes.
However, the committee eventually agreed – with the exception of Cllr Moss – it was an acceptable proposal for the area.
Planning officers argued it would be an “attractive renewal” of the current land and the flats would be of “high quality” in a “highly sustainable town centre location”.
They added that their construction would bring in economic benefits in the short term, while Highams Park would be supported over the long term by the “significant uplift in residents” paying into it.
Though there will be no ‘affordable housing’ included – a council-assisted scheme aimed at residents who cannot afford homes at market price – the developers will pay £100,000 towards its construction off-site.
Looking over the plans himself, Labour councillor Steve Terry said there was “nothing here to suggest” he couldn’t support it, “notwithstanding residents’ concerns”.
Housing developments often prove controversial in the north of the borough, but Waltham Forest Council is pushing ahead with its aim to approve thousands of new homes across the borough.
It aims to see 27,000 built by 2035 as part of its Local Plan, which is currently being fine-tuned following an independent government inspection.
Despite some objections from the inspectorate, Waltham Forest on track to see 30,300 new homes built in that timeframe.
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