Thumbs Down for Hammersmith Road Office Conversion

Plan to build 94 flats rejected on ground of lack of light and size of units

Griffin House. Picture: Facebook

October 7, 2024

A proposal to turn a Hammersmith Road office block into apartments has failed to convince borough planners who said that some of the flats were too small or lacking in natural light.

Griffin House Ltd was seeking to prior approval to convert the building of the same name at number 161 into 94 flats.

Despite the eighties four-storey block having been refurbished less than ten years ago it was argued that it was proving ever more difficult to get tenants particularly with new space nearby coming online. A report prepared by Gerald Eve LLP on behalf of the developer said that occupiers are leaving lower quality office stock in Hammersmith in search of higher quality accommodation in the surrounding West End markets or White City and Olympia.

The design of the building was described as environmentally inefficient having an outdated configuration and design that does not reflect the requirements of modern-day office occupiers.

Griffin House is situated on the south side of Hammersmith Road, and between the Hammersmith Town Centre Regeneration Area and Olympia Opportunity area. To the east of the site lies a number of Victorian residential properties and Latymers Pub. There is sheltered housing to the south and Nazareth House to the west.

The council’s planning team gave a number of reasons for refusal including that eight of the proposed flats would not have sufficient light and six were below the regulatory minimum size, ‘thus failing to provide a suitable living environment for future occupiers’. The applicant also did not provide the required fire safety report.

It is thought likely that the applicant will submit a revised application at a later date.

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Thumbs Down for Hammersmith Road Office Conversion

Plan to build 94 flats rejected on ground of lack of light and size of units

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