Gym and pool extension at 3 Shortlands, Hammersmith, London W6

The site and surroundings

The vacant leisure centre occupies ground and mezzanine floors within a ten-storey office building near conservation areas, listed buildings and strong public transport links.

“The site is located within Hammersmith Town Centre and the Hammersmith Regeneration Area. The building is not located within a conservation area, is not statutorily listed and is not subject to a specific Article 4 Direction currently (other than the borough wide restriction removing permitted development rights relating to basement development), or Archaeological Priority Area.”

“The application site currently provides 2,230sqm (GEA) of vacant indoor sport, recreation, or fitness (Class E(d), the swimming pool alone would be Class F(d), however this i s considered to be ancillary to the existing Class E use. Vehicular access to the site is from the service yard to the south. There is an existing basement car park accessed from the service yard which serves the wider building at 3 Shortlands.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal a suitable town-centre leisure extension with good design, acceptable heritage, amenity and highway effects, subject to safeguards.

“The proposal is judged to accord with the NPPF (2024), London Plan (2021) Policies E11, GG2 and S5 and Local Plan (2018) Policies CF1, CF3, E4, HRA and TLC1 and the Hammersmith Town Centre SPD (2024) 2)Design and Heritage: The proposals are considered to be of a high quality of design having regard to the character and appearance of the existing site and surrounding area, improving the character and provision of active frontages and landscaping to this section of Hammersmith…”

“5)Highways and Transportation: It is considered that the scheme would not have a significant impact on the highway network or local parking conditions and is thus considered to be acceptable. Subject to conditions and a legal agreement the development accords with the NPPF (2024), London Plan (2021) Policies GG2, GG3, T1, T2, T4, T5, T6, T6.4, T6.5 and T7, Local Plan (2018) Policies T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T7 and CC7, and the relevant Key Principles of the Planning Guidance SPD…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An officer presented the application; no objectors were present, and the applicant waived the right to speak in support.

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously for both officer recommendations, with no votes against or abstentions; one councillor did not vote after missing much of the presentation.

“Minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting as a correct record of the proceedings and any amendments arising will be recorded in the minutes of that subsequent meeting. Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure did not take part in the vote as he missed a significant proportion of the officer presentation.”

“The Committee voted on the officer recommendations for approval as amended by the Addendum as follows:”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was authorised subject to a satisfactory legal agreement, report conditions and Addendum changes, with authority for minor changes to obligations or conditions.

“That the Director of Planning and Property be authorised to grant planning permission upon the completion of a satisfactory legal agreement and subject to the conditions listed in the report and changes made in the Addendum.”

“That the Director of Planning and Property, after consultation with the Assistant Director of Legal Services and the Chair of the Planning and Development Control Committee be authorised to make any minor changes to the proposed Heads of Terms of the legal agreement or proposed conditions, which may include the variation, addition or deletion of conditions, any such changes shall be within their discretion.”

Minutes