New plans for a disused building in Watford town centre that made national headlines have come forward.
The former upholstery workshop in Wellstones became famous for the wrong reasons in 2019 after a planning inspector gave permission to turn it into 15 tiny flats - including six without windows.
Although the inspector recognised the units failed to meet a minimum size, he ruled the proposal met the requirements of the general permitted development order – planning rules brought in by the coalition Government that allow workplaces to be converted to flats.
Related: Plans to build tiny flats with NO windows approved on appeal
The plans were later revised to nine flats rather than 15.
Watford's mayor hit out at the decision, describing the living conditions of the flats as "extremely poor" and launched a campaign calling for councils to be given more powers to stop developments like Wellstones.
Then, in the summer of 2020, housing minister, Christopher Pincher MP announced when offices are converted into flats, the rooms must have "adequate natural light", under new permitted development right regulations.
Related: Government bans windowless flats under new regulations
Despite all of the controversy surrounding this scheme, the workshop conversion has yet to materialise and even now, the building is no closer to being redeveloped.
Instead, Watford Borough Council is being asked to consider a new proposal that would involve the demolition of the building.
The same applicants, ISE Investments Ltd, has proposed to demolish the workshop and replace it with a three-storey building of 14 "high quality" flats.
ISE Investments Ltd is seeking prior approval from the council with full planning permission not required because of permitted development rights.
It comes months after a council officer turned down a similar application on the same site but for 19 flats over four floors.
The officer had concerns about the appearance and size of the scheme and decided not to grant prior approval.
ISE Investments says its latest scheme responds to concerns raised, including a reduction in building height and some changes to design.
The application can be found on the council's planning portal via reference 21/01756/DEPA.
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