Conversion of Disused Space into Homes

Conversion of disused space to create eight new properties

Integration of eight new properties into an existing residential structure
Construction of an additional level and roof
Revamp of three underused drying areas to maximise space and usability
Conversion of two unused storage areas into new properties
Installation of air source heat pumps to fuel maisonettes
Insulation for all new properties to reduce cold bridging

Finding a good partner is important. In this case, for us, it was Aston Group; they were a great partner as a contractor, and really had an expertise in some of the new technologies around retrofit – and that was important as part of making that project a success.

Cllr Ahsan Khan
Waltham Forest Council’s cabinet member for housing and regeneration

In existing structures, space isn’t always maximised. This means that areas become underused or forgotten completely. But by revamping – or converting – some of these disused spaces, it is possible to create valuable areas that continue to serve residents while opening up new housing opportunities.

This was the case with Sansom Road in Leytonstone. The property, owned by the London Borough of Waltham Forest, originally had six drying areas for residents’ use, along with two storage rooms that were used to house furniture during refurbishments. But these spaces were not being used to their best effect.

Waltham Forest’s Housing department therefore got in touch with us to revitalise some of these tired areas. They also wanted to maximise the space by creating new homes from some of the drying areas.

After seeing the property’s potential, our team further suggested that it would be possible to use some of the storage rooms to increase the number of new homes. We therefore proposed a design that would extend part of the existing structure upwards to create even more space. This would result in two brand new flats and six new maisonettes, which would be as energy efficient as possible.

To facilitate this, the drying rooms would be reduced to three, and redesigned so that residents still had the space they needed.

Walthamstow Forest Housing agreed to this scheme, and work began in 2022.