19 social-rented homes at London Borough Of Hackney, Rectory Road Area Office, London N16

What was proposed

The application sought 19 new homes with amenity space, cycle and refuse storage, landscaping, play space and public-realm improvements.

“Construction of 19 new residential dwellings (Class C3) with associated amenity space, cycle parking, refuse stores, hard and soft landscaping, play space, comprehensive improvements to public realm and other associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a 0.55-hectare estate island beside residential streets, containing a six-storey apartment block, parking, storage and a demolished former office.

“The application site measures 0.55ha and is essentially an island enclosed by Foulden Road to the north, Rectory Road to the east, Farleigh Road to the south, and Amhurst Road to the west. The site contains the Morris Blitz estate which is a six storey, ‘U’ shaped apartment block centred around a raised communal area on a podium at first floor level. At ground floor level, underneath the podium, the building is used for parking and storage.”

“To the west, Amhurst Road is also mostly residential although there is a small parade of shops to the south. Directly to the east of the site is the Beckers Estate, which consists of an 11 storey tower block, four storey apartment blocks and a single storey community centre. The site is not located within a conservation area.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The former housing office had permission for demolition in April 2025, while earlier applications covered the office, nearby housing and changes to the estate.

“2025/0391: Prior approval for the demolition to ground floor slab level of the former Housing Office, 101 Farleigh Rd, London N16 7TE, as identified on the accompanying plans submitted with the application. Deemed consent on 03.04.2025.”

“2006/2322: Change of use from estate office to Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhoods Unit (Police offices and base for community policing and ancillary uses) (Class B1) together with associated external alterations. Approved on 24.10.2006.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions and a legal agreement, saying the substantial housing and public-space benefits outweighed identified neighbour harm.

“On balance, the benefits of the proposal are substantial. This includes the provision of 19 affordable housing units, all of which provide good quality of accommodation, improvements to the existing public realm within Morris Blitz Court including new play areas and improved communal open space, and a development which is deemed to be sustainable in terms of energy use.”

“The proposal would have an acceptable impact in respect of all other material planning considerations as outlined above, subject to the recommended conditions and Legal Agreement provisions.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Council consultees generally raised no objections subject to conditions, while external bodies either had no comments, no response or supported conditions.

“No objection to the proposal subject to conditions restricting the use of all Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) and a full Construction Management Plan. These conditions have been attached.”

“No objections to the proposal subject to the condition of full detailed specification of the sustainable drainage system supported by appropriate calculations, construction details, drainage layout and a site-specific management and maintenance plan of the sustainable drainage system. This condition has been attached.”

Officer report

What residents said

Two objections, one support letter and one neutral comment were received, covering overdevelopment, neighbour amenity, open space, windows and parking.

“At the time of writing the report, two objections, one letter of support and one neutral comment have been received. The issues raised can be summarised as follows:”

“Overdevelopment of site ● Harmful to neighbour amenity to existing residents (loss of light, outlook, privacy and ventilation) ● Loss of existing open space ● Proposal is welcomed by larger windows would have been preferable ● Car parking under Morris Blitz should be utilised to prevent on-street parking…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

No one registered to object; the committee heard from the council’s Head of Housing Delivery and the project architect in support.

What members discussed

Members discussed the modest loss of open space, improved secure play space, new cycle parking and the expected negligible transport impact.

“During a discussion a number of points were raised including the following: • Addressing concerns about the loss of open space, the Planning Officer explained that the loss was deemed modest as the scheme would deliver over 600 square metres of improved and secure open and play space; • The proposed 40 new cycle parking spaces were only for the new residents and would be covered and secured by condition; • On the issues of deliveries and servicing of the proposed site,…”

Minutes

What the committee decided

The committee resolved to grant conditional planning permission subject to completion of a unilateral undertaking.

“To grant conditional planning permission subject to completion of a unilateral undertaking…”

Minutes