Planning inquiry into Luton 'substandard' flats delayed

Luton Council's enforcement notice also called for the demolition of part of Shire Hall

A public inquiry into whether an office block should have been converted into flats has been delayed.

Devonhurst Investments Ltd redeveloped Chubb House in Luton into 109 flats for vulnerable people in 2019.

Luton Borough Council issued an enforcement notice over "unauthorised use" and won a case against Devonhurst at the Court of Appeal.

A Planning Inspectorate hearing was due to begin today, but it has been adjourned until a date yet to be fixed.

In 2022, the development on Dallow Road, now called Shire House, was deemed "substandard" by the council, which issued an enforcement notice, making its use as accommodation unauthorised.

Three two-storey structures built on the land did not have planning permission, the council said.

It said these buildings had "inadequate access to natural light, ventilation, and poor outlook available" to residents, who were mostly placed there by local authorities in London.

Luton council said the homes had inadequate access to natural light

The firm appealed against the enforcement notice, but the appeal court dismissed the company's application in June last year.

Devonhurst then appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. A planning inquiry was due to take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Luton council said it had been advised that "due to a technicality in terms of the process, the inspector has decided to adjourn the appeal hearing and reconvene to a later date, which has yet to be confirmed".

The building on Dallow Road was previously used as offices, but was then used to house vulnerable people, mostly from the capital