Developer RAD CHP Ltd has got the go ahead to convert two buildings in the Royal Albert Dock area into dwellings for over 400 students reports Ruby Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter

A CGI drawing showing a covered walkway — A CGI drawing showing the covered walkway which will link the two student blocks together (Credit – Newham Council documents)

More student accommodation is coming to Newham after councillors unanimously approved plans last week.

RAD CHP Ltd already owns the two buildings located in the Royal Albert Dock, but was seeking a change of use that will see them transformed from offices into student accommodation.

The student blocks will sleep 457 and will include communal areas such as study spaces and fitness rooms.

There are also plans for shopping space at ground floor level while a covered walkway is set to link the two buildings together.

According to council documents, the development will comprise of 210 studios, 12 one-bed flats, 140 two-bed en-suite cluster rooms and 95 multi-bed en-suite cluster rooms.

The proposals will include 160 ‘affordable’ student rooms and 46 wheelchair accessible and adaptable rooms.

The development aims to be car free, however there will be four disabled car parking spaces and 348 cycle parking spaces will be located at ground floor.

The existing buildings were originally built to provide a number of offices and shops, however planning officers have described them as ‘partially vacant’.

RAC CHP is also set to make a financial contribution of £100,000 which will go towards physical improvements and the maintenance of Beckton Park.

During the public consultation stage, 1,437 letters were sent out to residents and local businesses.

The plans received four responses, of which three were in support and one in objection.

Those who were in support of turning the buildings into student accommodation said it will ‘breathe life into a large and empty site’.

Another person said having a mix of retail and residential will be good for the local community and will support the local economy.

One resident who objected to the plans said turning the buildings into student accommodation would need to ‘make a very strong effort’ to bridge the students and existing residents together.

They said: “It should not be only catering for students, but it should also consider the students using existing facilities, such as parks, paths and take the necessary measures to reconcile these two groups so these can co-exist together.”

Newham councillors sitting on the strategic development committee referred to the objection during the meeting on February 4th, and asked how the two communities would be bridged together.

Cllr Susan Masters said: “I note the £100,000 contribution to Beckton Park but that to me doesn’t sound enough in terms of bringing these two communities together.

“I realise it’s not necessarily the job of the developer to do that but I’m just wondering, what works are under way?”

David Maxwell from RAD CHP said: “The contribution to Beckton Park is a start and we are happy to make it but we have to go so much further.”

He went on to say RAD CHP is working with a service provider that works on university campuses as a way of helping students mix with people already living in the area.

After taking questions, the committee moved onto the vote and unanimously approved of the plans.

Last year (June 2024), RAD CHP gained planning approval to turn another set of empty office blocks nearby into a 628-bed student block.

Students are set to move into this block in September 2026.

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