Key Points
- A planning application has been submitted to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) to convert the office building at 2 Lakeside Drive, Brent, into 252 residential flats.
- The proposal includes 222 one-bedroom, single-occupancy units and 30 two-bedroom flats designed for up to three people each.
- Submitted by FC200 (Jersey) Limited, the application seeks prior approval for change of use from office to residential and is currently awaiting a decision.
- Claire O’Brien, head of development management at OPDC, encourages public inspection of application forms, plans, and documents via the OPDC website using the application number.
- Public comments can be submitted through the OPDC website, email, or post before the deadline of Sunday, January 11, 2026.
- Under the Local Government (Access and Information) Act 1985, all public views will be available for examination.
- The site is located in Brent, within the OPDC area, highlighting ongoing efforts to repurpose vacant commercial spaces amid London’s housing shortage.
Brent office building at 2 Lakeside Drive could soon become 252 new flats, as a planning application lodged with the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) seeks to transform vacant office space into much-needed residential units.
The application, submitted by FC200 (Jersey) Limited, proposes 222 one-bedroom flats for single occupants and 30 two-bedroom units accommodating up to three people. Currently awaiting a decision, it follows prior approval routes for change of use, a mechanism increasingly used to boost housing stock without full planning permission.
This development underscores Brent’s role in London’s broader push to convert underused offices into homes, particularly in areas like Old Oak and Park Royal, designated for regeneration.
What is the Location and Current Use of the Building?
The office building targeted for conversion stands at 2 Lakeside Drive in Brent, falling under the jurisdiction of the OPDC. This statutory body oversees development in a key growth area spanning northwest London, including parts of Brent, Ealing, and Hammersmith & Fulham.
As reported in initial coverage by journalists at London Now, the site currently functions as office space but appears vacant or underutilised, aligning with post-pandemic trends where commercial properties struggle with occupancy.
The OPDC’s involvement signals this as part of larger regeneration plans, where Lakeside Drive forms a commercial hub now eyed for residential repurposing.
Who Submitted the Planning Application?
FC200 (Jersey) Limited is the applicant behind the push to redevelop 2 Lakeside Drive. Registered in Jersey, the company specialises in property investments and developments, though specific details on its portfolio remain limited in public records.
The submission leverages permitted development rights, seeking prior approval specifically for the change of use from Class B1(a) offices to Class C3 residential. This streamlined process bypasses some traditional planning hurdles, provided criteria on design, transport, and flooding are met.
No further statements from FC200 (Jersey) Limited were available at the time of reporting, but the application’s details are accessible via the OPDC portal.
What Does the Proposed Development Include?
The plans outline 252 flats in total: 222 one-bedroom units tailored for single occupancy and 30 two-bedroom flats suitable for families of up to three.
Predominantly single-occupancy, the one-bedroom flats reflect a focus on studios or compact homes amid demand for affordable solo living in London. The two-bedroom units add family-friendly options, potentially easing pressure on larger housing stock.
While full architectural plans, including heights, layouts, and amenities, await public scrutiny, the emphasis on residential conversion addresses vacant office surplus.
How Can the Public View and Comment on the Plans?
Claire O’Brien, head of development management at the OPDC, outlined the consultation process in a statement covered across initial reports.
As reported by journalists at London Now, Claire O’Brien of OPDC stated:
“Members of the public are encouraged to inspect copies of the application forms, the plans and other documents submitted in relation to the proposal using the application number on our website.”
She added:
“Under the Local Government (Access and Information) Act 1985, any views that you make will be available for public examination.”
Residents and stakeholders can access materials on the OPDC website by entering the relevant application number. Comments are invited via the online portal, email, or post, with a strict deadline of Sunday, January 11, 2026.
This transparent approach ensures community input shapes the outcome, a standard under OPDC protocols.
What is the Deadline for Public Comments?
The consultation window closes on Sunday, January 11, 2026, giving interested parties just over a week from the application’s publicity.
As emphasised by Claire O’Brien of OPDC in coverage by London Now, prompt engagement is key:
“Members of the public are encouraged to inspect copies of the application forms, the plans and other documents submitted in relation to the proposal using the application number on our website.”
Post-deadline, OPDC will review submissions before determining the application’s fate. Early indications suggest no major controversies, but local views could influence conditions like parking or green space provisions.
Why is This Conversion Happening Now?
London’s office-to-residential conversions have accelerated since 2021, driven by remote work reducing demand for city-centre workspaces. In Brent and the OPDC area, vacant buildings like 2 Lakeside Drive exemplify this shift.
The prior approval route, expanded under national permitted development rights, enables quick repurposing. This application fits OPDC’s Local Plan, which targets thousands of new homes by 2041, prioritising brownfield sites.
Housing pressure in Brent—where affordability challenges persist—further justifies the move. North London’s boroughs, including Brent, grapple with waitlists exceeding 20,000 for social housing, per council data.
How Does This Fit into OPDC’s Broader Plans?
The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation manages a 650-hectare opportunity area, aiming for 25,000 new homes and jobs. 2 Lakeside Drive’s conversion aligns with Phase 1 priorities, transforming industrial zones into mixed-use neighbourhoods.
OPDC’s 2021 Local Plan emphasises sustainable growth, with policies supporting office conversions if they meet standards on energy efficiency and public realm improvements.
Similar projects nearby, such as Scrubs Lane developments, have gained approval, setting a precedent. Brent Council collaborates with OPDC, ensuring borough-specific needs like transport links via the Elizabeth Line are addressed.
What Are the Potential Impacts on Local Residents?
Residents near Lakeside Drive could see both benefits and challenges. On the positive side, 252 new flats boost housing supply, potentially easing rental pressures in a borough where average one-bedroom rents top £1,500 monthly.
However, concerns might arise over density, traffic, or strain on local services. Single-occupancy focus could attract young professionals, altering community demographics.
Claire O’Brien of OPDC stressed public involvement:
“Under the Local Government (Access and Information) Act 1985, any views that you make will be available for public examination,”
underscoring accountability.
Are There Similar Developments in Brent?
Brent has seen a flurry of office-to-flat conversions. For instance, a vacant veterinary surgery in the borough was recently proposed for an HMO for 10 people, as linked in London Now coverage (application reference noted in original reports).
OPDC oversees multiple prior approvals, including sites in Park Royal. Nationally, over 20,000 homes have materialised via permitted development since 2013, with London leading.
This trend continues unabated, despite calls from groups like the Royal Institute of British Architects for fuller planning scrutiny to ensure quality.
What Happens Next in the Approval Process?
Following the January 11 deadline, OPDC officers will assess comments alongside technical reports on highways, environment, and design.
Prior approval decisions typically take 8-13 weeks. If granted, works could commence within three years, subject to building regulations.
FC200 (Jersey) Limited would then deliver the flats, potentially for private rent or sale. Rejection could prompt appeals or resubmission.
As Claire O’Brien of OPDC noted in London Now, transparency reigns: public views shape decisions under legal mandates.
Could This Address Brent’s Housing Crisis?
Brent faces acute shortages, with 24,000-plus on housing registers. Conversions like this offer a nimble solution, bypassing lengthy full applications.
Yet critics argue permitted development skips Section 106 contributions for affordable housing or infrastructure. OPDC mandates viability tests, but outcomes vary.
Supporters highlight speed: traditional planning can take years. In context, 252 units represent a tangible step, especially single-occupancy homes suiting singles priced out of family markets.
This application, if approved, exemplifies pragmatic urbanism in North London’s evolving landscape.
