A high-end restaurant and banqueting hall has been proposed to be bulldozed to make way for apartments.

A planning application was sent to Havering Council on Monday (September 4) by the owner of The Cranleigh, on Station Lane in Hornchurch, to convert it into a two-storey building with roof level accommodation to provide nine dwellings.

The site currently hosts events and serves an a la carte menu in its eatery with items like the Sole Western Isle fish delicacy, nut cutlet, British fillet steak, luxury ice creams, hot drinks, wines and champagnes.  

Christine Mckenzie, the owner of The Cranleigh, posted on Facebook that the restaurant and banqueting suite will continue to trade until December 31 2024.

While the ground floor currently contains the dining spaces and kitchen, the first floor contains a dwelling that is the family home of the applicant who lives on site.

Read More: Plans submitted to demolish The Alderman pub in Harold Hill

Under the plans, the owner will continue to live on the premises of the new block. A design statement by FORM Architecture attached with the application says the site is suitable for “higher density development” and the provision of nine units is “policy compliant”.

It is located next to several other higher density flatted developments, it adds, and has good transport links in the area making it a “sustainable location” for redevelopment.

The proposal, it claims, will provide a “high quality building” which will “enhance the street scene” that has a diverse range of old-style and modern properties situated on it.

A previous planning application by the owner to build 11 flats in place of the current building was refused by the council in March 2021. The current proposal reportedly addresses the issues raised then, with a “refined design” that now reflects the “scale and appearance” of existing buildings around the site.

The façade, the design statement states, “is highly articulated” and “detailed with many Edwardian period features” to blend it with the surrounding.

It further adds that all properties will have access to private and communal amenity spaces that comply with London Plan standards. Seven car parking spaces that can be accessed from Stanley Road via an existing crossover are also included in the plans.

Ms Mckenzie later clarified on Facebook: "As the owner of The Cranleigh, I would like to set the record straight.

"I have decided to retire on 1st January 2025. The restaurant and banqueting suite will continue to trade until 31st December 2024.

"I would never take a booking I could not complete. We have many bookings for 2024 - all will be honoured. I am not taking any bookings for 2025.

"I have already advised my very loyal staff of the plans to trade for the next 16 months, my staff will all stay till the closure.

"Please be assured if you have a booking it is safe."

A decision on the new application is expected to be taken by November 2. Detailed planning documents can be found on council’s website: https://development.havering.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=P1364.23&from=planningSearch