A spacious apartment in the Old Bailey is set to be partitioned into two separate units to provide lodging for court personnel who currently lack accommodations.

The custodian and their staff, responsible for the daily operations of the Grade II* listed Central Criminal Court, have faced challenges finding housing, as their designated residence is occupied by judges.

Recent plans approved by the City of London Corporation aim to address this issue by dividing the expansive flat on the fourth floor.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, this subdivision will create extra overnight facilities for staff members, including security personnel, as well as judges.

The proposal indicates that the existing living room will be converted into two bedrooms, with a full shower room situated between them.

“The design aims for both bedrooms to include built-in storage solutions, double beds, and workspaces,” the application noted.

“The goal is to minimize the need for rearranging furniture between uses, ensuring that the spaces are comfortable, private, and functional for those using them.”

This adjustment is also occurring in the least historically significant area of the building.

All five flats within the Old Bailey are designated for operational use and are not available for commercial rental.

It remains unclear where the custodian and their team have resided until now.

The Old Bailey is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation and is among several structures that accommodate the Crown Court.

The site has housed a courthouse since the 16th century. The current building was restored and expanded after sustaining damage from an air raid in 1941, with further renovations completed in the 1960s and 1970s following an IRA car bomb incident.