Queens Court Office Block to 47 Homes, Romford 2026

Key Points

• A Romford office block at Queens Court, 9-17 Eastern Road, is set for transformation into 47 new flats across four floors.
• The flats will range from one to two-bedroom properties, accommodating between one and three people per home.
• Havering Council granted prior approval for the change of use, but specific conditions must be met before work begins.
• The scheme was initially approved in September 2025 but delayed due to a ventilation issue.
• A follow-up planning application from November 2025 addresses ventilation improvements, including vent mesh on exterior walls, windows on the southwest-facing wall, skylights, and a vented shaft on the flat roof.
• Planning officers from Havering Council state that the office-to-flat conversion cannot proceed until these ventilation changes are fully implemented.
• A planning statement by Henry Planning Consultancy & Development confirms the prior approval application depends on completing the approved ventilation development first.

Romford (East London Times) February 25, 2026 – An office block in Queens Court at 9-17 Eastern Road has received prior approval from Havering Council to convert into 47 new homes, pending fulfilment of strict ventilation conditions. The four-storey building will house one- and two-bedroom flats for one to three occupants each, addressing local housing needs once implemented. This decision follows an initial approval last year stalled by technical issues, with council planners insisting on upgrades before any change-of-use work starts.​

What Is the Proposed Development at Queens Court?

The transformation targets the existing office space at Queens Court, 9-17 Eastern Road, Romford, converting it into 47 residential flats spread over four floors.

These homes will consist of one- and two-bedroom units designed to house between one and three people per flat, offering much-needed housing in the area.

As detailed in the planning documents submitted to Havering Council, the project aims to repurpose underused commercial space amid rising demand for homes in east London boroughs. The prior approval granted this month allows the change of use from B1(a) office to C3 residential, a common approach in urban regeneration efforts.​

Havering Council’s planning officers reviewed the scheme comprehensively, noting its potential to boost local housing stock without requiring full planning permission, provided conditions are met.

Why Was the Project Initially Delayed?

The proposal faced setbacks after an initial approval in September 2025, primarily due to a ventilation issue that prevented implementation. A report by a planning officer, as covered in council documents, highlighted that the scheme

“could not be implemented due to a ventilation issue”.

This led to a subsequent planning application in November 2025, specifically seeking approval for ventilation enhancements at the site. The delay underscores the rigorous standards Havering Council applies to ensure residential conversions meet health and safety requirements.

Planning officers emphasised that such technical hurdles are standard in prior approval processes, protecting future residents from inadequate air quality or structural concerns.

What Ventilation Upgrades Are Required?

Havering Council has mandated precise modifications before the office-to-flat transformation can proceed. These include installing vent mesh on all exterior walls, adding windows to the southwest-facing wall, and fitting skylights along with a vented shaft on the flat roof.

As clarified by the council’s planning officers,

“until these changes are fully realised, the office-to-flat transformation can’t start”.

This ensures compliance with building regulations for natural ventilation and light in the new homes.

The upgrades address the prior ventilation shortfall identified in the September 2025 approval, forming a prerequisite for the change-of-use works.

Who Prepared the Planning Statement?

A planning statement prepared on behalf of the applicant by Henry Planning Consultancy & Development sets out the dependencies clearly. It states:

“This prior approval application relies on the approved development to be provided before the proposed change of use work is carried out”.

Henry Planning Consultancy & Development, as the applicant’s representatives, detailed how the ventilation scheme must precede residential conversion. This attribution aligns with standard practice in UK planning, where consultants articulate technical justifications for officers.

The statement reinforces Havering Council’s position, linking the two applications to prevent premature construction.

When Was Prior Approval Granted by Havering Council?

Havering Council issued the prior approval decision this month, in February 2026, following review of the November 2025 ventilation application. This timeline builds on the September 2025 nod, which was non-implementable due to the identified issue.

Council records confirm the conditions were decided upon in a recent planning decision, prioritising resident welfare. The process reflects Permitted Development Rights under the Town and Country Planning Order, streamlined yet conditional.

How Does This Fit Local Housing Needs?

Converting disused offices into homes aligns with east London borough strategies to tackle housing shortages. Romford, in Havering, faces ongoing pressure for affordable units, and such projects add supply without greenfield development.

The 47 flats could house over 100 residents, easing strain on local services. Critics might question density, but planners deemed it acceptable given the site’s urban location.

Similar conversions in nearby boroughs, like Barking and Dagenham, demonstrate growing reliance on office repurposing amid remote work trends post-pandemic.

What Happens If Conditions Are Not Met?

Failure to implement the ventilation upgrades would block the change of use indefinitely. Havering Council’s officers have tied the prior approval explicitly to completion of the November 2025 scheme.

Applicants must notify the council upon fulfilment, triggering inspection before works commence. Non-compliance risks enforcement action, including reversal orders.

This safeguard ensures quality, as emphasised in the planning report.

Broader Context in Havering Planning

Havering Council handles numerous prior approvals yearly, balancing regeneration with regulation. The Queens Court case exemplifies scrutiny on technical details like ventilation, crucial in airtight modern homes.

Local Democracy Reporters often cover such decisions, noting patterns in Romford’s shift from offices to residences. No public objections were reported here, unlike contentious schemes elsewhere.

Community Impact and Next Steps

Residents near Eastern Road may welcome more homes, potentially revitalising the area. However, construction noise and traffic warrant monitoring.

The applicant must now prioritise ventilation works, with transformation following swiftly if compliant. Havering Council will oversee progress.

Statements from Involved Parties

Direct quotes from planning documents provide clarity. The planning officer’s report noted the September delay succinctly: “could not be implemented due to a ventilation issue”.​

Henry Planning Consultancy & Development’s statement, as quoted, underscores sequencing:

“This prior approval application relies on the approved development to be provided before the proposed change of use work is carried out”.

Council officers added: “until these changes are fully realised, the office-to-flat transformation can’t start”. These attributions ensure transparency.