The Barking Road scheme was an interesting illustration of the use of Permitted Development rights to secure conversion into residential on a derelict back land site. The site was entirely covered by a former ice cream factory, thus categorised as B1 usage, surrounded and overlooked by adjoining buildings and accessed through an arch off the busy Barking Road.

Residential use had been refused for the previous owner on the site and the current owner was not optimistic that much could be done. The practice examined the legislation and felt that there was scope under Permitted Development Rights. By removing a portion of the building, a courtyard was created which would give access to the units as well as bringing light into the double height living accommodation through large “shopfront” style windows. As the existing building has a pitched roof with a 5m high ridge, it was possible to insert a mezzanine sleeping area lit by roof lights. The end scheme created four attractive mews courtyard studios houses which have been fully and successfully let.