The Gilbert, 40 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1PX Data via plota.co.uk

26/00879/OBS - Observations from other Boroughs No Objections to OBS
Change of useUtility infrastructureCommercial premises

Proposal

Consultation by the London Borough of Islington on the change of use of part of the lower ground from office (Class E(g)(i)) to a flexible use for office (Class E(g)(i)) or indoor competitive socialising (Sui Generis) including ancillary bar, restaurant, retail and associated facilities, and introduction of ventilation extraction plant and equipment (LBI ref. ). Data via plota.co.uk

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View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

✓
Received
17 Jun 2026
Decision
Target date was 8 Jul 2026

Under consideration

No decision has been issued yet. Plota predicted a decision around 30 Oct 2026; it is now day 135.

Documents 3

Decision & officer reports 1

PDF OBSERVATIONS TO A NEIGHBOURING PLANNING AUTHORITY Decision · 9 Jul 2026 View ↗

Application forms 1

PDF APPLICATION EMAIL Application Form · 18 Jun 2026 View ↗

Other documents 1

PDF Officers Report Officers Report · 9 Jul 2026 View ↗

All documents on the council site ↗

Site constraints 13

6 listed buildings within 150 m of the postcode pin
Nearest: Cattle Trough, Grade II, about 30 m from the postcode pin · 6 Grade II
The site itself is not listed. Listed building consent is needed for work that affects the special interest of a listed building, inside or out, on top of planning permission. Setting can be a consideration for buildings nearby; there is no fixed radius.
Show all 6 with distances
Historic England ↗
Bunhill Fields and Finsbury Square conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
Council document ↗
Heritage at risk: Bunhill Fields, Finsbury Square
On the register of historic places assessed as at risk.
A designated building, monument, park or conservation area assessed as at risk from neglect, decay or development. Proposals that secure its future are looked on favourably.
Historic England ↗
Archaeological priority area
An assessment or field evaluation may be asked for before ground works.
The council or Historic England considers archaeology likely here. A desk-based assessment, and sometimes trial trenching, can be asked for with the application.
Air quality management area: Islington AQMA
The council has declared the area as failing an air quality objective.
Schemes that add traffic, parking or combustion plant are assessed against the area's action plan and may need an air quality assessment.
Council record ↗
Central activities zone
The core of central London in the London Plan.
Offices, culture and the other strategic functions of the centre take priority over new housing here.
Opportunity area
Where the London Plan expects significant growth.
Boundaries are indicative and the borough holds the detailed plan.
Also on the record
National infrastructure project about 1119 m away: Thames Tideway Tunnel; Registered park or garden about 217 m away: Finsbury Circus; Inside the Islington built-up area; Public transport access: PTAL 6b (excellent), TfL 2023, for the 100 m square; Designated open space about 33 m away; Town centre about 68 m away: Shoreditch.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No scheduled monument at the site

Checked on 6 October 2026. The pin for this application is the centre of its postcode rather than the building, so distances to nearby designations are measured from the postcode and can be out by the width of the postcode area. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Planning Inspectorate, Transport for London (public transport access levels, Powered by TfL Open Data, OGL v3.0, contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2025) and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.

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Important details

Council
City of London
Application type
Observations from other Boroughs
Postcode
EC2M 2PF
Received
17 Jun 2026
Validated
17 Jun 2026
Ward
Bishopsgate
Case officer
Show
Target decision
8 Jul 2026
Decision level
Delegated Decision
Applicant
Show

Decision outlook

Day 135, past the statutory target. 63% of utility and infrastructure works in City of London are decided within thirteen weeks; extensions of time are common, and the council need not decide on the day. Last seen undecided on 26 Oct 2026.

Day 13579 days past the 56-day target
30%decided within 8 weeks
100%approved
45decided in the last year

Plota live figures for utility and infrastructure works decided by City of London in the last twelve months, from validation. City of London decision record →

Public comments

No public comments yet.

Last counted 26 Oct 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Committee
9 Jul 2026
Statutory expiry
8 Jul 2026
Env. assessment
No

Historical activity at this location

25 nearby applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.

Within ~100m

Nearby activity

2025 Approved
38 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1PX
Installation of 2 no. illuminated halo signs to Finsbury Square at ground floor level.
P2025/2539/ADV
2025 Approved
17 Dominion Street, London, EC2M 2EF
Replacement air handling unit (AHU) system with heat recovery capabilities located at roo…
P2025/2809/FUL
2025 Approved
30 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AG
Erection of temporary single storey marketing suite for a period of 2 years.
P2025/1716/FUL
2025 Refused
Pavement outside no. 239-241 City Road, London EC1V 1JT
Installation of a multifunctional communication Hub including defibrillator and advertise…
P2025/1470/FUL
2025 Refused
Pavement outside no. 239-241 City Road, London EC1V 1JT
Installation of a multifunctional communication hub including defibrillator and advertise…
P2025/1468/ADV
2025 Approved
Bowling Green, Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1RR
Consultation by London Borough of Islington on an application for temporary Change of Use…
25/00850/OBS
2024 Approved
Arbuthnot House, 7-21 Wilson Street, London, EC2M 2SN
Demolition of existing roof structure and erection of a replacement single-storey roof ex…
P2024/3548/FUL
2025
Bowling Green, Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1RR
Temporary Change of Use of Finsbury Square for event days of up to 93 (65 days in additio…
P2025/1393/FUL
2025 Approved
2-3 Finsbury Avenue London EC2M 2PF
Submission of the Sculpture Relocation Strategy pursuant to Schedule 3 Paragraphs 11.4 of…
25/00447/PODC
2024 Refused
5 - 15 Sun Street, Hackney, London, EC2A 2EP
Display of 1 no. externally illuminated projecting hanging sign at ground floor level.
2024/2290
2023 Approved
50 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1HD
Installation of external lighting.
P2023/2353/FUL
2022 Approved
95 City Road, London, EC1Y 1BD
Application for opening hours of 0500-2330 seven days a week plus outside seating area
P2022/1058/FUL
2023 Approved
2-3 Finsbury Avenue London EC2M 2PF
Submission of the Utility Connection Requirements for the development at 2-3 Finsbury Ave…
23/00405/PODC
2023 Approved
50 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1HD
Installation of 1 x internally illuminated fascia sign advertisement on main facade
P2023/1239/ADV
2023 Approved
Unit 2, 50 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1HD
One internally illuminated fascia sign
P2023/0270/ADV
2023 Approved
2-3 Finsbury Avenue London EC2M 2PF
Submission of the Local Training, Skills and Job Brokerage Strategy (Construction) pursua…
23/00122/PODC
2022 Approved
Eden House, 23 - 25 Wilson Street, Islington, EC2M 2TE
Installation of 1 no. externally illuminated fascia sign and 2 no. non-illuminated fascia…
P2022/4315/ADV
2022 Approved
Unit 4, 50 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1HD
Installation and display of 1no. internally illuminated projecting sign.
P2022/3721/ADV
2022 Approved
2-3 Finsbury Avenue London EC2M 2PF
Installation and display of: externally illuminated hoarding advertisement measuring 3.05…
22/00694/ADVT
2022 Approved
Unit 4, 50 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1HD
Shopfront alterations comprising alterations to doors and installation of louvre.
P2022/2670/FUL
2018 Approved
1 Finsbury Avenue London EC2M 2PF
Application under Section 19 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Ac…
18/00893/LBC
2018 Withdrawn
Ground Floor, 129-131 City Road, Hackney, London, EC1V 1JB
Proposed erection of single-storey rear extension and installation of extraction equipment
P2018/3773/OBS
2018 Approved
74-78 Units 1-2, Finsbury Pavement, Islington, London, EC2A 1AT
Advertisement Consent in connection with two non-illuminated temporary signage.
P2018/3013/ADV
2018 Approved
Playing fields, Armoury House, City Road, London, EC1Y 2BQ
Erection of marquees and other associated demountable structures for the hosting of event…
P2018/1914/FUL
2018 Approved
City Gate House, 39 - 45 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1PQ
Alteration of existing entrances at Finsbury Square elevation, including removal of front…
P2018/2264/FUL
City of London
Planning Authority Score
6.7/10
Good
#71 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Change of use

City of London is one of the fastest councils in England for householder decisions, ranking #1 out of 296. The council extends the time limit on 84% of applications - one of the highest rates in England. Expect your application to take longer than the standard deadline. Householder applications are more likely to be approved here than most councils, with a 100% approval rate vs 90% nationally.

Among the fastest councils in England
for householder decisions
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
City of London decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
97%
Overall approval rate
Above avg (87%) #3 of 296
100%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #1 of 296
100%
Decided in 8 weeks
Above avg (63%) #1 of 296
84%
Extended time limit
Above avg (41%) #296 of 296
50%
Minor dwellings approved
4 decided (1-9 homes)
91%
Change of use approved
22 decided
460
Total decisions
14 refused in the year to March 2026
Source: MHCLG planning statistics · See full council rankings