NEW residents of flats built in a former Bracknell office block are rallying against controversial plans to build another 35 new homes on top of their apartments.
The Lavenir building, on Opladen Way by Bracknell Leisure Centre, was converted into 69 homes after developers Watercrown Bracknell Limited gained permitted development rights to transform the former workspace back in 2017. EXPLAINED: How developers are using different planning rules to get new homes plan approved
Now Watercrown wants to add another 35 new flats on top of the existing homes through the creation of another storey.
But this news has come as an unwelcome surprise for some residents living in the first batch of the new flats.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told the News: “They have been allowing people to move in since August to these apartments with no mention of the potential floors added on top.
“The first we have heard about it was when the council put the planning permission form on the front gate.
“[There’s] still no final decision on it, but they have continued to build on top and subsequently leaks have started appearing.
READ MORE: Former office building set to add an extra storey for 35 new homes
“Among other things which are still not sorted which were promised when moving in, they clearly don't care about the people living there.”
The developers were allowed to do transform the former workspace into 69 flats because planning law allows for the swift conversion of empty offices into homes without needing to go through typical planning rules.
The new plans, for 35 homes, have also been submitted through the same ‘prior approval’ process — a system which removes a large chunk of planning regulation from local councils.
Despite this, 42 objections have been submitted against the new proposals, with many coming from other residents living at Lavenir.
One wrote in October: “Upon signing our tenancy agreement a month or so ago, we were at no point informed about the potential of additional building work to the property.
READ MORE: Plans for 45 new homes on top of office block refused by Bracknell Forest Council
“However, with no successful application at present, builders have spent the past few weeks installing large metal girders into the roof.
“At no point have residents been made aware of this, making it both extremely unsafe and very unsettling for those living below.
“With my partner working full time from home, and myself working part-time from home, we are both concerned about the impact this will have on our work.
“As an NHS worker, I will struggle to provide adequate care to my patients if this is to go ahead.
“All residents within the property are deeply concerned and feel immensely let down.”
As the residents quoted have stated, final permission has not yet been given for building work to go-ahead.
Previous plans to build 45 flats on top of the existing apartments over two floors were refused in 2019.
And the existence of this initial planning application was mentioned by Watercrown representative Mr Ball when the News asked him to respond to claims residents were not informed of plans to build extra homes at Lavenir.
READ MORE: Dismay over plans for new flat development on edge of town
He said: “We always follow the planning process.
“There is nothing new and nothing hidden.
“The planning application has been there for over a year.
“It is all pretty obvious and there is an open record. There is a sign outside the building.
“Everything is transparent.”
Full details of the application can be found by entering planning reference 20/00683/PARC at planapp.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
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