Has anybody seen the plans for the redevelopment of the former gym on David's Road?

There is already permission to add an extra storey to this building [DC/08/68497/X] to provide 5 flats above the gym, which they have applied to renew [DC/11/77433/X]. They have also applied for consent to demolish and rebuild [DC/11/77464/X], adding an additional two flats on the ground floor. This latter application is invalid for some reason, but will probably be represented.

I know these buildings quite well and find it hard to believe this is suitable for residential development.

Then again who would have thought the ex conveniences on Denvonshire would be.
If a urinal can be turned into an appartment , there seems no limit to what can be done.

What a great idea.
Some nice modern flats would be a big improvement on the current gym building there, which was clearly designed on a hangover.

Not a particularly distinguished or attractive building, I agree. A pity, though, to see another set of commercial premises go residential. Along with the garage, the former gym (and the nursery next door - what will happen to that?) are right on the boundary of Forest Hill's commercial area, which will now contract further if the proposed redevelopment goes ahead.

If, as seems likely, it does 'go residential' my main concern would not be the number of floors - there are plenty of (Victorian) four-storey premises within the same Conservation Area - but the number of flats (and people) the developers are proposing to cram into them. Of course it may just be a ploy. (You know the kind of thing. Ask for more than you want, then 'compromise' and get what you really wanted all along.) But good architecture is about more than external appearances and whilst some "nice modern flats" (to borrow a phrase from the previous post) may look smart they will hardly represent "a big improvement" if the units inside are cramped - and poorly-lit? I imagine the Council will have some questions for the developers about the proposed parking arrangements too; even with the CPZ, parking in Davids Road can be next-to-impossible at times.