Up to 17 councils, including Lambeth, have won exemptions from Government measures to deregulate planning to allow more conversions of offices to flats. This may have a bearing on the future of Hermes House (the old Job Centre) at the Brixton Hill end of Josephine Avenue.
The reforms were introduced by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles who said: “There is huge untapped potential in the many disused existing buildings we have and we’re determined that every one of them is put to good use.
“We’re also providing a great opportunity for outdated, redundant or underused offices to be brought back to life by converting them into homes, protecting the green belt and countryside at the same time. This will also increase footfall and provide knock-on benefits to the wider community.”
This may prevent Hermes House being turned into flats, but could help protect small business premises in Brixton such as the Effra Road ‘Eurolink Centre’ and the Brighton Terrace ‘Piano Factor’ whose owner has already applied for residential.
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