Change Of Use Granted for Southend Office Block

A long vacant office building in Southend-on-Sea can now be converted into residential apartments after our team secured permission for a Class MA Change of Use.

Thamesgate House is an eight-storey former office block in the north of the town centre that has remained vacant for almost a decade. Now, it will be converted into 149 apartments together with car and cycle parking, and two commercial units at ground floor level.

“Our work on this site comprised two corresponding applications,” explains our associate director, Aleks Pantazis. “The first application for works to improve the fabric of the building and address current fire safety requirements was approved earlier this year.

“To support our strategy of progressing two corresponding applications, we sought independent legal advice, which confirmed that the approach was appropriate and that both applications could be considered alongside one another. This provided further confidence in the strategy and ensured that the proposals were presented to the Council on a clear and robust planning basis.

“With this in place, we could progress the second application, a Permitted Development Right Class MA. Having reviewed previously unsuccessful PD applications, our project team spent considerable time undertaking further testing and improving layouts, particularly relating to daylight provision.

“The immediate area surrounding the site has been undergoing significant change for several years, with many older office buildings already converted to residential use.

“Securing this approval for Thamesgate House represents another important step in that ongoing transformation, bringing an underused office building back into productive use and supporting the continued regeneration of this part of Southend. With excellent connections and a highly sustainable location, we’re really pleased that our strategy has led to such a successful outcome, helping to deliver new homes and bring more residents into the heart of the city,” adds Aleks.