Deichmann East Ham Flats: Newham Council Application by KLH Architects

Key Points

• Plans submitted to Newham Council to convert upper floors above Deichmann shoe shop on High Street North, East Ham, into nine new flats.
• Building located between Boots Opticians and a local grocer; upper floors currently used as storage for the shoe shop.
• Proposal includes adding a third floor to the two existing upper floors and converting them into residential units: six one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats.
• Ground-floor commercial space, occupied by Deichmann, will remain unchanged, retaining an ‘active street presence’.
• Additional features at ground level: new residential entrances, waste storage, and bicycle storage.
• Submitted by KLH Architects on behalf of KTS Group Ltd.
• Aims to provide housing in a highly accessible location with vibrant shops, businesses, high footfall, excellent transport links, and proximity to facilities, supporting a ‘car-free’ project.
• Building refurbishment to preserve existing facade: buff brick and concrete detailing retained; red brick at rear to match; new grey aluminium windows replacing white UPVC.
• Flats for private rental; sizes range from 50 to 73 square metres gross internal floor area (GIA), varying by bedrooms and features.
• Timeline: Works to start in May 2026, targeting completion by May 2027.
• Pre-application advice from council supports residential development in principle but flags concerns over residential unit quality (space standards, light, ventilation) and neighbour amenity impacts (overlooking, daylight, sunlight).
• Design and Access Statement emphasises integrating residential and commercial uses, better utilising underused spaces, boosting area activity, and optimising landlocked site with High Street frontage only.

East Ham (East Ham Times) February 6, 2026 – Plans have been submitted to Newham Council to transform the underutilised upper floors above the Deichmann shoe shop on High Street North into nine new residential flats, with KLH Architects acting on behalf of KTS Group Ltd. The proposal seeks to add a third floor atop the existing two upper storeys—currently storage for the retail unit below—creating six one-bedroom and three two-bedroom privately rented units while preserving the ground-floor commercial space. This mixed-use redevelopment aims to optimise a prime, high-footfall location between Boots Opticians and a local grocer, introducing new residential entrances, waste, and bicycle storage at street level.

What Does the Proposal Entail?

The application details a comprehensive refurbishment of the building, maintaining Deichmann’s ground-floor retail presence to ensure an ‘active street presence’, as outlined in the Design and Access Statement. According to the planning documents, the upper floors will be converted into residential accommodation, with the addition of a third storey to increase capacity. Specifically, the plans include six one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats, all intended for private rental, with gross internal floor areas (GIA) ranging from 50 to 73 square metres depending on unit size and features.

KLH Architects, which submitted the application on behalf of KTS Group Ltd., highlighted in the Design and Access Statement that the project integrates a mixture of residential and commercial uses within the building. This approach, they suggest, will encourage better usage of the existing structure and boost activity levels in the area. The site’s location on a busy shopping street with high footfall makes it ideal for a ‘car-free’ development, supported by excellent transport links and proximity to various facilities.

How Will the Building’s Appearance Change?

Efforts have been made to preserve the building’s character, with planning files indicating retention of the existing facade’s buff brick and concrete detailing. At the rear, new red brickwork will match the current aesthetic. As noted in the proposal details, existing white UPVC windows will be replaced with new grey aluminium frames to enhance the overall appearance.

Internally, the flats will offer varied layouts suited to their bedroom counts, ensuring functional living spaces within the constrained footprint. The ground-level modifications include practical additions like residential entrances, waste storage, and bicycle facilities, seamlessly integrated without altering the commercial frontage occupied by Deichmann.

Why Is This Location Suitable for Residential Development?

The proposal positions the site as highly accessible, benefiting from a vibrant mix of shops and businesses along High Street North in East Ham. According to the Design and Access Statement prepared by KLH Architects, the location’s high footfall and transport connectivity make it perfect for residential use without reliance on private vehicles. The building, nestled between Boots Opticians and a local grocer, sits on a landlocked plot with frontage only on the High Street, and the mixed residential-commercial model optimises this limited space.

KLH Architects emphasised the intent to adapt underused spaces above the shoe shop, transforming storage areas into viable housing. This change is projected to enhance the area’s vitality by introducing more residents to an already bustling commercial hub.

What Is the Proposed Timeline for the Project?

The plans outline an ambitious schedule, with building works slated to commence in May 2026 and target completion by May 2027, allowing for a one-year delivery period. This timeframe reflects confidence in the project’s feasibility following pre-application consultations.

In preparing the submission, KLH Architects sought pre-application advice from Newham Council, as summarised in the planning documents. The council expressed support for residential development in principle, recognising the need for housing in such accessible urban locations.

What Concerns Were Raised in Pre-Application Advice?

Newham Council’s pre-application feedback, detailed in the planning files, endorsed residential development on the site but highlighted several potential issues. Concerns focused on the quality of the proposed residential units, particularly regarding space standards, light, and ventilation. Additionally, the authority flagged possible impacts on neighbouring amenities, including overlooking and reductions in daylight and sunlight for adjacent homes.

The revised plans address these points by prioritising better land use on the constrained site and maintaining the commercial ground floor to preserve street-level activity. As reported in the Design and Access Statement by KLH Architects on behalf of KTS Group Ltd., the scheme mitigates these risks through careful design, ensuring compatibility with surrounding properties.

Who Is Behind the Application?

KLH Architects submitted the full application to Newham Council on behalf of KTS Group Ltd., the applicant driving the redevelopment. The architectural firm’s involvement underscores a professional approach, with their Design and Access Statement providing the rationale for the mixed-use conversion. No direct statements from Deichmann, the current ground-floor tenant, appear in the planning documents reviewed, though the proposal explicitly safeguards their retail operations.

What Are the Broader Implications for East Ham?

This development aligns with efforts to intensify housing in Newham’s urban centres, converting underutilised commercial upper floors into homes amid London’s ongoing housing pressures. By retaining Deichmann’s storefront, the project balances residential growth with commercial vibrancy on High Street North. The ‘car-free’ emphasis leverages East Ham’s robust public transport, potentially reducing local traffic while adding nine private rental units to the market.

Planning files note the site’s suitability due to its pedestrian-friendly environment, with shops, services, and transport hubs nearby. Completion by May 2027 could mark a swift win for housing delivery, pending council approval.

How Does This Fit into Newham’s Planning Priorities?

Newham Council’s pre-application support signals alignment with borough-wide goals for residential intensification on brownfield sites like this one. The planning summary underscores the council’s backing for such projects in principle, provided quality standards are met. Concerns over unit quality and neighbour impacts remain focal points for the determination process, as per the documents.

KLH Architects’ statement articulates the bid’s focus on sustainable reuse:

“The proposal aims to provide housing in a highly accessible location, noted for its vibrant mix of shops and businesses.”

This echoes council aims to foster mixed-use environments that activate high streets.