Newham planning officers criticised the Forest Gate proposal as “severely constrained”, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

The existing building (left) and (right) how it had been planned to be converted — The existing building (left) and how it had been planned to be converted (right)

The owner of a storage shed in Forest Gate has been denied permission to turn it into a studio flat.

The application to Newham Council outlined plans to convert a shed in Chester Road into a flat measuring just 18 square metres (sqm).

But council planning officers said it would be “excessively small” and “would result in a cramped and uncomfortable living environment”.

Designs submitted to the council showed the applicant, named only as “Mr S Bhad”, wanted to fit a double bed, armchair, coffee table, sofa, small bathroom, kitchen sink and a hob into the shed.

A planning statement claimed the “spacious” flat for two people would be 32sqm and that there was “already great interest from estate agents and builders”.

However, council planning officers discovered that, when measured by drawings submitted with the application, the flat would have an internal floorspace of around 18sqm.

They said this was “significantly below” the minimum internal area of 50sqm needed for a two-person, one-bedroom flat set out in national planning policy.

Planning officers also said insulation would need to be installed, making the flat even smaller. They added that plans showed “furniture layouts that are not drawn to scale”.

The planning officers’ report stated: “The bath shown within the bathroom would have a footprint of approximately 0.74[sqm], which is substantially below typical minimum bath dimensions and would be impractical for safe and comfortable use.

“When realistic furniture dimensions are applied, it is evident that the unit would be severely constrained, with inadequate circulation space, compromised storage provision, and limited capacity to accommodate essential day‑to‑day living activities.”

Officers refused planning permission on Monday (2nd).

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