Waltham Forest Council's Planning Committee has granted full planning permission for the change of use of Rowan House in Leytonstone to provide 16 temporary homes.
The former office building, located at 1 Cecil Road, will be converted to offer much-needed temporary accommodation to assist the council in meeting its statutory duties to house homeless households.
The development includes internal alterations to create a range of unit sizes, comprising two studio units, two one-bedroom units, eleven two-bedroom units, and one three-bedroom unit. The proposal also incorporates upgrades to the building's fenestration, landscaping improvements with communal amenity space and children's play facilities, as well as the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps, PV panels, refuse and cycle parking facilities, and a new substation.
Concerns raised during community consultation included safety, security, noise, parking, and traffic impacts. However, the council's planning officers noted that the proposed accommodation would be managed by the council's Temporary Accommodation Team, with on-site staff facilities to provide support and advice. The team will provide support and advice where required and conduct regular visits on a fortnightly basis. A comprehensive management plan has been provided, outlining security measures such as 24-hour CCTV coverage, secure fob-controlled access, and upgraded windows and doors designed to meet Secured by Design standards.
To address concerns regarding parking and traffic impacts, given the site's PTAL (Public Transport Accessibility Level) of 2, the council will implement a Section 278 Agreement for highway works funded by the developer. This includes the construction of a dropped kerb for bin collection and a traffic management order for double yellow lines on Acacia Road. A financial contribution for Construction Logistics Plan monitoring is also required.
Despite the PTAL rating of 2, the site is considered to be well-served by public transport, with nearby bus routes and within walking distance of Leytonstone High Road station and Leytonstone underground station.
The conversion of Rowan House aims to address the pressing need for temporary accommodation within the borough, with statistics indicating a high number of households in Waltham Forest being owed a duty under the Homelessness Reduction Act and a significant increase in private rent costs. The council currently has a limited supply of temporary accommodation, particularly for larger families, making this development a crucial step in meeting local housing needs.
The decision was made subject to conditions and informatives, and the completion of a Unilateral Undertaking Legal Agreement covering highway contributions, biodiversity net gain, and legal fees. These conditions and informatives, detailed within the application reports, cover aspects such as time limits, approved plans, management plans, landscape and biodiversity, construction, safety and security, enclosures, noise, sustainable design, and parking.
Furthermore, the planning permission includes conditions and informatives related to the long-term sustainability and maintenance of the new facilities. The Unilateral Undertaking Legal Agreement includes provisions for Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring and management over 30 years, ensuring the upkeep of the Air Source Heat Pumps and PV panels.
See the full details of the decision in the Decisions 08th Sep 2026 19:00 Planning Committee report.
