Two-year flower stall at Clapham Junction Railway Station, Flower Stall On Pavement Facing Entrance To Junction Shop St Johns Hill

“Planning permission is sought for the retention of the existing flower stall for a temporary period of 2 years.”

“The flower stall measures 2.2m wide, 10m long and 2.6m high and is constructed from painted metal sheeting, with a roller shutter within an internally mounted shutter box on the front elevation facing the Junction Shopping Centre entrance, which remains open during operational hours. The sides and rear elevation of the structure have lettering and logos advertising the business. The structure has a bus deflector ‘rubber flapper’ on its south-western corner.”

“The application site is located within the Clapham Junction Conservation Area (the CA). The existing flower stall (Use Class E), the subject of this application, is located directly in front the entrance to Clapham Junction station and approx. 6m from the pedestrian crossing to the southwest. The locality is characterised by a mixture of building types, the nearest building, Clapham Junction station shopping centre (Shop Stop) is of a relatively contemporary 1990s design.”

“The site is close to several designated heritage assets including the Grade II Listed Clapham Grand Theatre approximately 50m to the south-west, the Grade II listed Falcon public house approximately 70m to the east, and the Grade II listed Arding and Hobbs building approximately 100m to the east. There are also several locally listed buildings in the area including the former Parcels Office to the station, as well as the station buildings and footbridges themselves.”

“It is understood that a flower stall, in some capacity, has occupied the site for approx. 30 years, and in the past, received a street trading license for a 10m x 2.6m plot in its current location. The original structure was a traditional timber flower stall, and over time has evolved in scale to become a larger 'container style' structure. Aerial photographs show a much smaller structure in place before 2012.”

“22/08/2024: (2024/1994) Approved: Retention of the existing flower stall for a temporary period of 5 years. Note: This application was granted by the PAC at the 21 st August 2024 meeting for a two-year temporary period which expired on the 23 rd August 2026.”

“Being located opposite and to the south-west of the flower stall, the Grand is not read visually within the same urban context as the flower stall and the entrance to Clapham Junction station shopping mall. As such, no harm can be demonstrated to the setting of this heritage asset nor the other two listed buildings which are further from the stall, in accordance with Policy LP3 and s.16(1) and s.66(1) of the Planning (LBCA) Act 1990. Clapham Junction Conservation Area.”

“In this instance, whilst Officers recognise that the flower stall is much valued by a section of the local community, it is considered that it does not deliver any specific social or environmental benefit as described within the NPPF. It could be argued that purchasing flowers for oneself or to gift to others can impact positively on mental health and wellbeing, but this cannot be regarded as a benefit that includes all.”

“2026/2404) Clapham Junction Railway Station, Flower Stall On Pavement Facing Entrance To Junction Shop, St John’s Hill, SW11 2QP – (8 for and 1 against) that planning permission be granted as set out in the report, noting the additional information as set out in the late items of correspondence paper.”

“Condition 1 – Temporary Permission This development shall be temporary for a period of 2 years from the date of this permission. The development shall be removed from its location and the highways restored to the surrounding condition upon expiry of the permitted 2 years. Reason: To comply with the NPPF 2026, s.72(1) of the Planning (LBCA) Act 1990 and policies SDS1, PM1, PM4, LP1, LP2, LP3, LP49 and LP52 of the 2023 Wandsworth Local Plan.”

“Condition 3 – Removal if Not in Use The development shall be removed from the site and the condition of the highway restored to that as seen surrounding the development if at any time within the 2 year lifespan of the permission the development is no longer being used as a florist for the selling of flowers. Reason: To comply with policies LP1, LP2 and LP14 of the Wandsworth Local Plan 2023.”