Project Overview
Bell Cornwell has recently obtained planning permission for small office units across two sites within the London Borough of Harrow.
The proposals are comprised of underutilised car parking associated with existing mixed use residential and commercial blocks and make effective use of brownfield land, delivering increased employment floorspace appropriate to the role and function of these sustainable locations.
The proportion of small units has declined across London, outside of the Central Activities Zones, creating an increased demand and relatively higher rent yields for such an offering. The small office market is becoming increasingly desirable with SME’s, including start-up companies, seeking modern, high quality office accommodation in highly accessible locations. Smaller units make a significant contribution to London’s commercial offering and this demand creates an opportunity to generate value from surplus land assets in practical locations, no matter the size of the site.
In compiling the planning applications, Bell Cornwell devised a planning strategy to justify the loss of the existing car parking, whilst demonstrating the need for office floorspace of this nature in these locations. In addition, for one of the sites, concerns relating to the potential impact upon the neighbouring Grade II listed building were overcome by providing a Heritage Statement to accompany the planning application. On the other, the impacts of drainage and flooding were addressed with the provision of supporting evidence. The proposed design of the office buildings ensured no detrimental impact upon existing residential amenity, whilst allowing for the operation of the two uses to coincide without conflict.
Bell Cornwell were responsible for co-ordinating the planning strategy, including pre-application discussions, compiling, collating and submitting the application and managing the applications through to their positive determination. We secured planning permission for both sites and helped meet the aspirations of our client by delivering office use, which can operate without restriction.
If you have any land of this nature that is currently under-utilised, contact us to discuss whether there could be development potential that would add value.
