Councillors, on 8th January, asked the HRA to think again on plans to convert a Romford warehouse into accommodation for homeless families. Cabinet, who previously rubber stamped the decision, will have to vote again following the scrutiny decision.
At an extraordinary meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Councillors quizzed council Officers and the Cabient Member, Cllr Natasha Summers (HRA) on the proposal to convert the Chesham House offices and warehouse into 55 homes. Amongst the concerns raised was that the site owner was previously denied planning permission, due to the building being at the entrance of a 24/7 industrial estate.
Councillors also raised concerns that they could not see the legal advice given to the council, with Cllr Summers being unable to provide a summary of the advice or to share her understanding of what the legal advice said.
Other concerns were raised around the precedence this would set, in the area, leading to a domino effect of the entire industrial estate being converted into low-quality homes.
All Councillors acknowledged the huge problem of homelessness in the borough and the unsuitable nature of long-term hotel stays.
Councillor David Taylor said; "None of us want families living in hotels, but we also don't want to move families into a warehouse conversion which may be of low quality. We couldn't see the legal advice and I felt we were not given enough assurance from a planning perspective. I'm not willing to take risks when it comes to vulnerable families".
Councillor Nisha Patel said: "The building was previously refused planning permission, to be turned into homes, because it is not suitable to live in a busy industrial estate. Why would it suddenly become OK now? If they convert this warehouse, then every other warehouse will also apply. We will lose jobs and businesses and turn the area into a modern slum".
