Bid Made to Convert Saracen House into Flats
Area around Swan Street increasingly switching to residential use
Saracen House in Isleworth is currently vacant. Picture: Voikins
October 21, 2025
Saracen House Properties Ltd has submitted a prior approval application to convert Saracen House, a late-20th-century office building on Swan Street, into twelve self-contained flats. The proposal, made under Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order, would see the building repurposed for residential use without any external alterations.
The site lies within the Isleworth Riverside Conservation Area and is surrounded by several listed and locally listed buildings, including the Grade II Old Blue School and Northumberland House. According to a Heritage Impact Assessment prepared by Asset Heritage Consulting, Saracen House is considered a “positive contributor” to the conservation area due to its role in the 1980s regeneration of Lower Square. However, it is not locally listed and is not regarded as architecturally significant in its own right.
The assessment concludes that the proposed internal conversion would “preserve” the character and appearance of the conservation area and would not harm the setting of nearby heritage assets. It notes that residential use is consistent with the area’s established character, which includes several converted office blocks such as Lion Court and Ashby House.
The Planning Statement, prepared by Westcombe Group, outlines that the building currently comprises vacant office space across three floors, with three on-site parking spaces and a PTAL rating of 2. The proposed scheme includes eight one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units, with secure cycle parking and internal refuse storage. Supporting documents address flood risk, daylight provision, noise, and transport impacts, all of which are deemed acceptable under prior approval criteria.
The site has a history of similar applications. Prior approval was granted in 2019 for a comparable residential conversion, while a full planning application in 2023 was later withdrawn. The current proposal seeks to renew the previously approved scheme with updated technical assessments.
Any one wishing to see further details of the application or make a comment should visit the planning section of the Hounslow Council web site and search for reference: PAC/2025/3121.
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