A building currently occupied by a freight and logistics organisation in Tunbridge Wells is set to be turned into apartments following a planning application submitted to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
Hermes House on St John’s Road is currently the home of Logistics UK – formerly the Freight Transport Association.
According to plans submitted to the Council, the site is to be demolished and redeveloped to provide 43 new homes within a four-storey building.
It will include a mix of studio flats and also one and two bedroom apartments complete with a private balcony for all the new homes.
There will also be 53 on-site car parking spaces, including electric vehicle charging spaces ad 44 cycle parking spaces in secure storage.
Logistics UK, which employs around 120 people in the town, moved into the iconic building on the A26 in 1985.
Hermes House features a circular art-deco main building and distinctive clock, was originally designed as a church when it was first built in 1931.
Logistics UK, which campaigns on behalf of the freight and logistic industry, say the ageing building is no longer suitable for the organisation’s needs.
A spokesperson for the company said: “As a result of the poor quality of existing employment accommodation at Hermes House, its location within a residential area and distance from transport hubs, Logistics UK has been planning to vacate Hermes House.
“Logistics UK is keen to relocate to a new more appropriate premises within Royal Tunbridge Wells, in a more accessible location closer to the train station.
“In response to the pandemic, Logistics UK also requires a much smaller area of employment space as a large proportion of staff are now hybrid working or spending less time in the office.”
The spokesperson continued: “The existing buildings have reached the end of their lifecycle, they have a disjointed layout, do not meet modern standards and are no longer fit for purpose.
“Redevelopment of the site offers a unique opportunity to provide much-needed new homes close to Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre.
“The scheme is being sensitively designed with the site’s surroundings in mind to provide a scheme that reflects and complements the character of the surrounding area.
“The new building will range in height from part three- to part four-storeys, reflecting the prevailing residential heights within the local area.”
No details of how much the new apartments are set to cost have been released, but according to the application no affordable housing is included in the plans due to construction costs.
