A plan for a new four-storey shopping arcade in Wanstead has been heavily criticised by a council planner.

A proposal has been submitted to Redbridge Council for the arcade, which would be on the site of Jolliffe’s, previously a builder’s office, at 73 High Street, Wanstead.

It includes shops, offices restaurants and six apartments. 

Recommending the rejection of the application, principal planner Mike Brown said: “There is no sense of place nor of any discernible character – the building could be plonked almost anywhere in urban England.

“I have looked at the proposed finishes and materials and find them rather clichéd and lacking the quality and architectural detail that might help justify the development within the conservation area.

“In not reflecting existing materials it fails to neither preserve nor enhance local character or appearance.

“This is a poor development in height, scale, bulk, shape and materials and would harm the special architectural or historic special interest of the Wanstead Village Conservation Area.”

A three-storey building is also included in the plans, with a basement, three live-work units, six one-bedroom flats and three studio apartments.

The plan was submitted on behalf of Mammoth Texryte Ltd, based in Ilford, stating it would add to the area by providing units for local businesses, artists and entrepreneurs at an affordable rate.

The site was briefly offered for sale in July for £1.3 million but quickly disappeared from property listings.

It is thought the small office was built after WWII, filling a hole left by a bomb.