Temporary community gym at Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate, London SE24

What was proposed

Units 3 and 4 would become a community gym and outreach space for up to five years, without building works.

“Proposal description 2.2.1 Full planning permission is sought for the change of use of Units 3 and 4 from industrial/storage (Use Class B2/B8) to a community gym and ancillary community outreach space (Use Class E(d)) for a temporary period of up to five years. The community gym would provide open gym sessions, structured fitness classes and personal training, available to Lambeth residents on a membership or pay-per-session basis.”

“At the end of the temporary permission, the use of Units 3 and 4 as a gym and outreach centre at the Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate would cease, and the units would return to their previous industrial/storage use. The proposed opening hours would 08:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00 on Saturday, Sundays, and Bank Holidays.”

Officer report

The site

The units are single-storey industrial premises in a KIBA, beside other industrial uses, a railway line and residential properties.

“↑ To contents 2. Site context and proposal 2.1 Site description 2.1.1 The application site (“Site”) is to the west of Milkwood Road (a local distributor road), within the Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate, and comprises Units 3 and 4 of the industrial estate. Units 3 and 4 are part of a terrace of 6 industrial units, while the units have a frontage to Milkwood Road, access to the buildings is from within the estate (i.e.”

“The Site does not lie within an identified flood risk zone, as indicated on the Environment Agency flood maps. The Site area is less than 1ha and therefore a Flood Risk Assessment is not required. The Site has moderate access to public transport (PTAL 3) with Loughborough Junction Station as the nearest station. The industrial units in question are existing and single storey in height (no building works are proposed).”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Four properties were consulted, a site notice and press notice were used, and no responses were received.

“↑ To contents 3. Consultation and engagement 3.1 Application consultation - public consultation 3.1.1 Public consultation was undertaken in accordance with statutory and Council requirements. Letters were sent to a total of 4 properties surrounding the Site. A site notice was posted on 02.07.2026, and a press notice was published on 03.07.2026. Public consultation ended on 24.07.2026. The application was advertised as a departure from the development plan.”

“No dedicated car parking is proposed which is acceptable. There are resident bays on Milkwood Road in close proximity to the site in which blue badge holders can park without a permit. Noted, see section 4.2.3 and conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

One interested party spoke in support, technical specialists addressed the committee for the applicant, and officers answered members’ questions.

The committee debate

Members considered approving the officers’ recommendation and proposed extending the temporary gym use from two years to three and a half years.

“Further to a discussion, Councillor Joanne Simpson proposed a motion to accept the Officers’ recommendation to approve the application, Councillor Viktor Westerdahl proposed an amendment to the motion to approve the application but extend temporary use of the units for the community gym to three and a half years instead of two years.”

“The amendment was MOVED by Councillor Viktor Westerdahl and SECONDED by Councillor Jacqueline Bond.”

Minutes

The votes

The proposed extension was defeated by two votes to three, with one abstention, before the original approval motion was passed unanimously.

“The amended motion was NOT CARRIED with two votes in favour, three against and one abstention.”

“Councillor Joanne Simpson’s motion to accept the Officers’ recommendation to approve the application as set out in the report was then voted on.”

Minutes

The decision

Conditional planning permission was granted, with authority delegated to finalise conditions based on the report, addenda and committee minutes.

“To grant conditional planning permission. To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Sustainability to finalise the conditions incorporating those set out in the report, the addenda and/ or Planning Application Committee minutes.”

Minutes