Leisure unit alterations at Unit 3, Crawley Leisure Park, West Green, Crawley

“Crawley Leisure Park contains substantial, modern, purpose-built buildings that are in use for various leisure and food and drink uses. Unit 3 is a two-storey unit lying to the south-west of the Leisure Park. It was most recently used as a Nuffield gym but is currently undergoing refurbishment following a planning permission granted earlier this year (CR/2023/0242/FUL). The building was previously clad in white panels, with blue and red detailing.”

“The wider Leisure Park contains a cinema, bowling alley and a range of restaurants. The site is laid out with the buildings to the west, north and east, around its perimeter. There is a surface car park within the centre of the site and a multi-storey car park to the north-west (immediately north of Unit 3). The car parks contained a total of 1033 spaces (595 surface spaces, 411 spaces in the multi storey car park and 27 spaces in ancillary car parks).”

“CR/2023/0242/FUL – Extensions and alterations to Unit 3 Crawley Leisure Park to accommodate the subdivision into four units for restaurant (use class E(b)) and leisure (use class E(d)) purposes. Works to include ground floor extensions totalling 37sqm together with a rooftop extension, recladding of external elevations, provision of new public realm and external seating area along the south-east elevation and alterations to the multi-storey car park ramp.”

“CR/2023/0242/NM1 – Non-material amendment to change the description of development to “Extensions and alterations to Unit 3 Crawley Leisure Park to accommodate the subdivision into five units for restaurant (use class E(b)) and leisure (use class E(d)) purposes.”

“Retail • Sale of hot food and drink to visiting members of the public where consumption of that food and drink is mostly undertaken on the premises, • Financial and professional services • For indoor sport, recreation or fitness • Medical or health services • Creche, day nursery or day centre • Offices and light industrial uses that can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to amenity…”

“The existing planning permission for the original Leisure Park, whilst specifically referring to leisure and restaurant uses in the description, does not contain a condition restricting the uses beyond the restaurant floorspace condition set out above. Previously, for water neutrality reasons, a condition was applied to CR/2023/0242/FUL restricting the uses of the proposed units within Use Class E, to allow restaurant, gym and leisure recreation uses only.”

“CBC Energy Efficiency and Sustainability No objection 2. CBC Retail and Employment Comments provided on proposed uses…”

“The Committee then considered the application. In response to queries from Committee members, officers provided the following clarifications: • The businesses occupying the units could be of any nature as long as they fell within the prescribed two subsections of use class E. It was a matter for the occupiers to determine whether the units had sufficient space and facilities for their specific use.”

“The floorspace of the two uses remained the same, even with the additional unit, so increased footfall was unlikely. Further, changes were being made to the existing multi-storey car park in order to encourage an increase in its usage. • A separate application for advertisement consent would be required to be submitted and approved prior to any advertisement panels being erected.”

“The Committee then moved to a vote on the recommendation set out in the report. The recommendation was moved by Councillor Rana as the Chair and seconded by Councillor Bidwell as the Vice-Chair.”

“Permit subject to the completion of a Deed of Variation to link this application to the Section 106 agreement completed for application CR/2023/0242/FUL and subject to the conditions set out in report PES/503f, including amended condition 3.”