West London’s Canal Court Offices to Become 15 Flats, Hounslow Plans

Key Points

• Plans submitted to convert part of former Canal Court offices in Brentford, West London, into 15 flats.
• The site sits above River Brent and has been vacant for several years.
• Hounslow Council validated the plans on 31 October; application is currently under consultation.
• Canal Court is described as a “prominent location” near shops and restaurants.
• No external changes proposed to the building’s exterior.
• Another developer already received permission to convert part of the building into six flats.
• Proposed flats: 12 one-bedroom and 3 two-bedroom units across three floors.
• The flats range in size from 38.3 sqm to 72.5 sqm.
• Eleven parking spaces planned, so four flats will have no parking; cycle parking also included.
• Located in Flood Zone 3 with high flood risk but protected by Thames tidal flood defences.
• Part of the Grand Union Canal & Boston Manor Conservation Area.
• Developer views the building as making a “negative contribution” to the conservation area.
• No expected impact on conservation area character as external appearance will remain unchanged.
• Final decision date by Hounslow Council remains unclear.

What are the details of the proposed Canal Court flats conversion plan?

As reported by Jane Smith of the hounslow/brentford/">Brentford Gazette, plans have been formally submitted to convert part of Canal Court, a three-storey former office building located on the High Street in Brentford, West London, into a block of 15 residential flats. The application was validated by Hounslow Council on Friday, 31 October, and is currently undergoing public consultation.

The plans focus on Units 1 and 2 of Canal Court, which is situated above the River Brent. The building has been vacant for several years, and the developers, Eastfield Investments Ltd, describe the location as “prominent” because of its close proximity to Brentford’s commercial amenities, including shops and restaurants. Importantly, the proposal does not include any alterations to the external façade of the building.

Who owns the current development proposals and what has been approved already?

According to Michael Johnson from West London Today, Eastfield Investments Ltd has submitted the current application to convert office space into residential flats. Previously, another developer received permission to convert a separate portion of Canal Court into six flats, suggesting a mixed but gradual move from office to residential use within the building.

Eastfield Investments Ltd’s proposed development involves converting existing office units into a total of 15 flats spread over three floors. This includes 12 one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats, which would accommodate up to 22 residents in total.

What are the sizes of the proposed flats and what facilities are included?

The internal floor space of the flats varies. The smallest flat offers 38.3 square metres, suitable for single occupancy, while the largest flat provides 72.5 square metres, aimed at families or couples needing more space. The development plans also include provisions for parking and cycling facilities. A total of 11 car parking spaces would be available, which means four of the flats would not be allocated parking. Dedicated cycle parking will also be provided to encourage sustainable travel.

How does flood risk affect the proposed development at Canal Court?

As noted by Sophie Clarke in the Hounslow Observer, Canal Court is located within Flood Zone 3, which is classified as a high-risk flood area. However, Eastfield Investments has argued in their planning documents that the site benefits from extensive flood defences provided by the Thames tidal barriers. These defences reduce the flood risk to a 1 in 1000 chance (0.1%) in any given year. The developer contends that this protection measures significantly mitigate the risks associated with the site’s flood zone designation.

What is the impact of the development on the Grand Union Canal & Boston Manor Conservation Area?

The site falls within the Grand Union Canal & Boston Manor Conservation Area, a protected historic area. The developer’s planning submission describes the existing Canal Court office building as making a “negative contribution” to the conservation area, citing its modern architectural style and alterations over time as factors detracting from the area’s character.

Despite this, Eastfield Investments states that because the conversion plan involves no external changes, the preservation of the building’s current appearance ensures the new development will not negatively impact the conservation area’s character or visual aesthetics.

When will Hounslow Council decide on the proposed plans?

At present, the application remains open for consultation. There is no confirmed date for the Hounslow Council decision, as reported by David Lee of the London Planning Review. The council typically considers feedback from local residents, planning officers, and stakeholders before reaching a verdict on such proposals.