Plans have been submitted by agent James Collinson of Design Spec Ltd on behalf of applicant Alan Austin for the demolition of the site at 251 London Road.
According to planning documents, the premises is vacant and was last used as a car showroom.
Google Maps last shows the site as Hyside Motorcycles – a dealership specialising in new and used Ducati motorcycles.
The premises as seen on Google Maps in 2018(Image: Google)
This can be seen on Google Maps from 2015 until 2018 where it seems to have remained empty since.
The site can also be seen as the home of Barking Car Sales Ltd in 2008.
Hyside Motorcycles appears to still be trading but at a premises in Wycke Hill Business Park, Maldon, Essex.
MORE NEWS: From ‘such a shame’ to ‘good riddance’ – Reaction to Romford toy shop closure
A design and access statement submitted by Design Spec claims that the loss of the existing site would have “no detrimental impact” on the site or the locality and the mixed use of the premises as offices and new homes is deemed “the most efficient use” of the space.
The document said: “It is considered that the development will result in tangible benefits in terms of the quality of the employment floorspace provided therein, the appearance of the building in a visual sense and the redevelopment of a previously developed site.”
A total of nine flats are proposed to be built across the upper floors of a new four-storey building, with the ground floor being used as office space for small businesses.
Of the nine proposed flats, eight would be designed to contain two beds for four people and one would be sized for one bed and two people.
The offices would be accessible via a door at the front of the building whilst the offices would be accessed via a door at the back.
If approved, the building would be built with similar materials and colours to the surrounding builds and the flats will have balconies that are inset rather than projecting whilst the fourth floor would be set further back to “reduce the visual height, bulk and massing”.
A decision is expected to be made on the proposal by Havering Council by November 24.
