Berwick Manor Hotel could become homes- decision soon

The Berwick Manor Hotel could be turned into housing if plans are approved by Havering Council’s planning committee at a meeting scheduled for tomorrow (August 20).

The hotel has roots dating back to the 17th century and is a Grade-II listed building on the green belt.

The proposals include converting the Grade II listed building into eight flats and reconstructing the former coach house to create a detached five-bedroom home.

The application was made in October last year.

Revealed in a document visible on Havering Council's website, council officers have recommended the plans for approval, stating that the scheme would not harm the listed building or conflict with Green Belt policy.

Their report said: "The proposed change of use to residential, including the rebuilding of the coach house, would preserve the character and setting of the listed building and would not result in harm to the significance of the heritage asset.

"Furthermore, the development would not conflict with Green Belt policy.

"The proposed dwellings would provide a high standard of residential accommodation, meeting relevant space and quality standards, and would not give rise to unacceptable impacts on the amenities of neighbouring occupiers.

"In addition, the redevelopment of the site for residential purposes would remove an existing use that has been the subject of noise complaints over a prolonged period, resulting in a potential improvement in local amenity."

Only a matter of weeks ago, the hotel had its license to host outdoor events officially stripped by the council, following regular complaints from local residents.

A licensing sub-committee meeting was held on August 6, and it was decided that the outdoor activities here would be banned as well as its designated premises officer (DPS) removed from the site.

Speaking to the Recorder after the licensing meeting, Natalie Crisp said: “As residents we’re elated to be fair because it will remove that element of anti-social behaviour from the area.

“I don’t want to see a business go down and the hotel itself is not our issue.

“It’s the events that they have at weekends which is the issue."

Natalie said herself and fellow residents were "bombarded" with music on Saturdays and she likened the staging for some of the events to Glastonbury.

The application site includes the Berwick Manor Country Club, now operating as the Manor Hotel, and a former coach house that was historically used as stables.

Part of the remaining Berwick Manor, the hotel has been damaged by fire in the past and has since undergone significant extensions.

A final decision will be made at the committee meeting tomorrow.