Listeners to local radio in London may be familiar with recent adverts for Galliard Homes promoting a new development at Waltham Cross called 'King Edward House'. With property prices spiraling out of control for all but the very rich, the advert describes a development seemingly perfect for young first time buyers.
So i naturally thought i would check it out. The picture on the Galliard Homes website looks like this.
Which to me looks like a office building with some colouful balconies tacked on.
Ah yes, its this building.
Suspicious that the scheme was permitted under the recent changes to permitted development legislation, allowing change of use from class B1 (offices) to C3 (Residential) i decided to check out the application and came across this refreshing, honest and shocking critique of the scheme within the decision notice.
Hmmm
And my concerns sadly don't end there, The development sits just outside of the area under the control of the Greater London authority and the space standards which govern new accommodation within the city. A quick look at the size of new units presents a worrying picture.
Lets first look at the London plan space standards.
And now the size of the units within this development
Studio,
31sqm
1b,
35sqm
2b 48sqm
This scheme in all its lack of glory illustrates the folly of the prior-approval process, not only does Waltham Cross lose valuable office space, something vital in the creation of mixed use sustainable communities, it gains a apartment block described by its own planning as 'likely resulting in a poor standard of accommodation', and with 2 bed units smaller than the minimum size for a 1 bed unit in the London plan, you don't get too much for your money either. The long term result of such a approach to planning is worrying.
But at least its providing cheap accomodation right?
Yes only £245,000 for a small single aspect 2 bed apartment in a former office building overlooking a very busy road in zone 7.
Bargain.
