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Search the Public Notice PortalWork to convert a historic former school in Romford into housing is due to begin early this month.
The project, part of Havering Council’s regeneration programme, will see the transformation of Century Youth House in Albert Road into nine family homes, with construction scheduled to start in early February.
The plan will retain the “historic core” of the late 19th-century building.
Cllr Graham Williamson, Havering Council's cabinet lead for development and regeneration, said: "Breaking ground at Albert Road is a big step forward for Havering. This project will deliver high-quality homes through Mercury Land Holdings (MLH).
"We’re excited to see work underway and will keep residents updated throughout." Plans for the development were approved at a planning committee meeting on March 13.
Christopher Hobbs, director at Mercury Land Holdings, said: "MLH is pleased to be bringing forward and preserving the historic building but also creating much-needed family homes in Romford."
The plans include four houses within the refurbished main building, with five new homes to be constructed at the rear of the site.
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The former school, which closed in 1979, was most recently used as a pupil referral unit until 2018 and has since remained vacant.
The building was declared surplus to council requirements under Havering’s asset disposal strategy running from 2022 to 2028.
The scheme includes eight car parking spaces, which raised concerns about traffic and on-street parking.
Conservative ward councillr Judith Holt has previously warned that parking is “at a premium” in Albert Road and that the road was already “extremely busy” and the extra traffic would “not be appreciated”.
Neighbour Christopher Ward raised concerns about privacy, noting that the new homes would be “much taller” than neighbouring properties.
Labour councillor Jane Keane called in the application for further scrutiny, citing residents' worries about loss of privacy and sunlight.
However, Mercury Land Holdings said the design has been developed to ensure neighbouring homes will not be overlooked.
Construction is set to begin in early February, with the council pledging to keep residents informed throughout the process.
