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Flats at former office block must be demolished

Tony Fisher
BBC News, Bedfordshire
Tony Fisher/BBC A passageway between two rows of two-storey flats with yellow rimmed windows and grey walls. There is a black plastic rubbish bag in the foreground and yellow steps at the end of the passageway. There are connecting walkways on the first floors between the two rows.Tony Fisher/BBC
The council had said the buildings had "inadequate access to natural light, ventilation, and poor outlook available"

Flats created at a former office block were converted without planning permission and some need to be demolished according to a Planning Inspectorate decision.

Devonhurst Investments Ltd converted Shire House in Luton into 109 residential flats in 2019.

Luton Council said the development was "substandard" and the government's inspectorate has now said the three two-storey structures on the site, on Dallow Road, must be taken down.

A spokesperson for Devonhurst said "the option to remove the central block of 28 units was a viable solution".

Naima Stitou A collapsed ceiling with surrounding mould and the insulation revealed. There is a light hanging from the ceiling which is surrounded by a lampshade of plastic butterflies.Naima Stitou
Resident Naima Stitou said the ceiling in a children's bedroom has collapsed four times

A Luton Council spokesperson said the Planning Inspectorate's decision represented a partial outcome for both sides which "strikes a difficult balance – removing the worst aspects of the accommodation while safeguarding families who have made this place their home".

"While planning permission has been granted for the change of use of the site and the retention of 81 residential units, permission was refused for two buildings that were found to provide wholly unacceptable living conditions," they said.

"These blocks – around 28 units – must now be demolished within 17 months.

In April 2022, Luton Council issued an enforcement notice saying the three two-storey structures built on the land, behind the outer brick structure, did not have planning permission.

It said the buildings had "inadequate access to natural light, ventilation, and poor outlook available" to residents who were mostly placed there by local authorities in London.

In the decision notice, the government's planning inspector said the 81 units within the retained buildings in the outer section could remain as residential properties.

However, this was subject to various conditions including putting in landscaping, a play area, cycle parking spaces and waste/refuse storage areas.

A three storey red brick building with trees in front of it.
The building on Dallow Road was previously used as offices and was known as Chubb House

Former Big Brother contestant Trish Balusa, who used to live in the block with her autistic son, said hearing that some of it would have to be taken down was the "best news".

"This win feels so personal because I know from my own experience how traumatising living there was," she said.

Tony Fisher A woman wearing a black dress standing outside a three storey red brick building. The entrance to her right has the address "Shire House, 400 Dallow Road" written above it.Tony Fisher
Former resident Trish Balusa said "human beings should not have to live in such inadequate environment"

Luton Council said it was "currently reviewing and digesting the decision to ensure we can support the residents affected".

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