SF Planning Consultants were recently involved in an application for planning permission for a change of use of the site within the London Borough of Ealing. This was to change the use of a ground floor from Children’s Education Learning Centre to flexible Commercial, Business and Service uses, under the new use Class E. No external works were proposed.

The Site falls within the ‘Pitshanger Lane Neighbourhood Centre’ as identified within the current local plan adopted policies. This neighbourhood centre serves the retail / service needs of this residential hinterland within the wider Ealing area and as such has a diverse range of uses.

We negotiated with the Council during the application process to ensure the principle of the development was acceptable, overcoming a policy issue in the new London Plan relating to the ‘loss’ of the education use, with additional marketing evidence. Ealing Council were also very pragmatic during the process in discussing conditions with us to ensure these didn’t overly restrict the use for our Client.

The change of use to Class E will enable the vacant unit within the Pitshanger Lane Neighbourhood Centre to have a more flexible use, as is the Government’s current desire, and thus be more attractive for potential occupiers.

Should you need similar support, please do not hesitate to contact us: 01242 231575 or email: info@sfplanning.co.uk