A housing development on Forest Road has been reduced in size, with the number of proposed homes decreasing from 39 to 38. The Waltham Forest Planning Committee met on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, to consider several planning applications, including application 260651 at 817-823 Forest Road, London, E17 0DN. This application sought amendments to a previous consent, reference 232205, which was granted on 19/06/2025.
The committee granted planning permission for the amendments, which included a reduction in the number of homes. The reduction from 39 to 38 homes was part of an alteration to the unit mix, with a decrease in one-bedroom units and an increase in two-bedroom units. The original scheme proposed 15 one-bedroom units, 17 two-bedroom units, and 7 three-bedroom units, while the amended proposal includes 11 one-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units, and 7 three-bedroom units. This change was supported by local and regional policies favouring a higher proportion of one and two-bedroom units in accessible locations and due to site constraints.
Beyond the reduction in homes, application 260651 also sought several other amendments. These included alterations to massing, elevations, layout, and external spaces. The floor-to-floor heights were increased by 300mm on each level, and the parapet detail was amended to accommodate green roof build-up and attenuation layers, increasing the height at the top parapet level by 1800mm. Internal reconfigurations involved an increased substation width, a change in the commercial bin store location, and alterations to the unit mix. Additionally, a street-facing roof terrace was created on the second floor to both St John's and Clifford Road frontages. Design changes also incorporated the introduction of a metal panel above windows, the removal of glazing on the east elevation with the introduction of a brick recess detail, minor changes to elevations across all facades, and the addition of a metal canopy for the entrance lobby.
The application was referred to the committee due to public interest. The decision was subject to conditions and informatives, as detailed in the document 'Decisions 07th-Jul-2026 19.00 Planning Committee.pdf'.
The Section 106 agreement from the previous consent, reference 232205, remained unchanged. This agreement covers key components such as Affordable Housing Provision, Wheelchair Housing, Highways and Transportation, Car Free Housing, Employment and Training Strategy, Air Quality, Carbon Offset Fund, Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation, Parks and Leisure, Flood Mitigation/SuDS Implementation, Future loss of tree, Retention of Architect, Legal Fees, and Monitoring and Implementation. The report explicitly states that the s106, including its heads of terms, would remain unchanged.
Further details regarding the planning committee meeting and its decisions can be found in the 'Public reports pack 07th-Jul-2026 19.00 Planning Committee.pdf' document.