Taylor Wimpey wants to demolish the existing building in London Road and build the homes and a new office space in its place.
However, the site—just 250 metres from Brentwood town centre—has been specifically designated for employment use in Brentwood Council’s local plan.
If permitted, the site could be developed into a mix of flats and houses, ranging from one-bedroom flats to five-bedroom houses.
A proportion of the dwellings are anticipated to be brought forward as ‘affordable’ homes.
The plans have been revealed in an environmental impact assessment (EIA) application, which ensures that Brentwood Council, the local planning authority, decides on planning permission in the full knowledge of the likely significant effects.
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The EIA application argues that the “proposals seek to consolidate the employment provision on the site to provide a quantum that better suits the demand for this type of space”.
It added: “The site is also within close proximity to Brentwood town centre – situated approximately 250 metres to the east of the site – which comprises a variety of commercial uses which would be utilised by future occupiers of the proposed development.
“The introduction of residential use on the site would add to the vitality of the town centre.
“The proposed development would therefore sit appropriately within the existing context.”
An application had been submitted to the council in 2021 to change the use of the office building at One London Road into 142 flats through permitted development rights, but it was never implemented.
Permitted development rights allow for offices to be converted into homes without the need for a full planning application.
A statement added that it is not believed there would be a major environmental impact from the development.
It added: “When taking into consideration the existing use of the site, we expect the overall magnitude of the impact of the proposed development to be minor.
“Any potential impacts will be mitigated through the planning process.
“There will also be positive impacts, for example, in relation to the provision of residential development and the uplift in biodiversity net gain.
“We do not expect there to be any complex or wide-ranging impacts arising from the development subject of this screening request.”
A full planning application will be required to progress the development.
