Two residential flats at Five Star Car Wash, Hammersmith, London W6

What was proposed

The application sought two flats from the approved office, with changes to lower-ground-floor doors, windows, brickwork and boiler flues.

“- The change of use of the 88 sqm approved lower ground level office unit (Class E) into 2 self- contained residential units (1 x 1-bed and 1 x studio unit);”

“- External alterations to the lower ground-floor level of the elevation fronting Shepherd's Bush Road, to include the installation of 2 boiler flues, the infilling of the existing single door, the re- placement of the office front glazing with a partial brick infill and the installation of new single doors and window glazing.”

Officer report

The site

The site contains a six-storey building linked to a four-storey building, in a mixed-use area with excellent public transport access.

“The application site is located at the northern end of Shepherd's Bush Road, approximately 80m south of Shepherd's Bush Green. The application site has been re-developed to provide a total of 30 residential units and 88 square metres (sqm) of office floorspace (ref. 2016/03271/FUL) and consists of a six-storey building plus lower ground-floor level fronting Shepherd's Bush Road.”

“The application site is not located within a Conservation Area, although the northern bound- ary of the site does adjoin the Shepherd's Bush Conservation Area. The buildings within the ap- plication site are not Listed Buildings or locally listed Buildings of Merit, though Shepherd's Bush Baptist Church (on the opposite side of Shepherd's Bush Road) and The Grampians (to the im- mediate south of the Baptist Church) is a locally listed Building of Merit and a Grade II…”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers found the office had been marketed for over 12 months without an acceptable offer and considered the residential use a greater public benefit.

“The parent application ref. 2016/03271/FUL included 88sqm of office space at lower ground-floor level as part of a mixed-use development. The current application seeks consent to change the use of this Class E office space into two self-contained residential units (1 x 1-bed and 1 x studio unit), with the submission outlining that marketing the commercial office space has proven challenging and has been unsuccessful.”

“Officers acknowledge that marketing of the office premise has been undertaken by a reputa- ble commercial estate agent for a period exceeding 12 months, with the submission demon- strating that there has been a lack of interest in the subject office unit. Accordingly, officers con- sider that the applicants have demonstrated that there is no demand for the office floorspace, as per Policy E2 of the Local Plan (2018).”

Officer report

Homes and living conditions

The two flats would meet internal space standards, have private amenity space and acceptable daylight, sunlight, noise and privacy conditions.

“Policy D6 of the London Plan (2021) places a significant focus on internal space standards for dwellings. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that all new homes are fit for purpose and offer the potential to be occupied over time by households of all tenures. Together with the DCLG's Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS) it provides detailed standards which set out the minimum level of quality and design that new homes should meet.”

“The proposed residential units would both be provided with an area of private amenity space within the front lightwell. As measured via the proposed floor plans, the amenity space would be a minimum of 6sqm and 10 sqm, respectively, which would be considered sufficient to enable the provision of tables/chairs for use by future residential occupants.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Environment Agency and London Heliport raised no objection, while Historic England, the HSE and Transport for London made no substantive objection.

“Historic England – Written comments confirm that Historic England will not be commenting on the proposal.”

“London Heliport – No objection. If cranes are required as part of the installation, then the ap- plicant would need to liaise with the Heliport.”

Officer report

Objections received

Two objections concerned further disruptive building work, increased traffic and occupancy, overcrowding, and the nearby Art Deco building.

“The application was publicised by means of a site notice and a press advertisement, to- gether with letters of notification to surrounding properties. In response to the consultation, 2 no of objections were received. These can be summarised as follows:”

“- The addition of two residential properties to this development will give rise to further building works which will be disruptive, it will also increase the residential traffic and residential occu- pancy of an already over-crowded area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Neil Egerton presented the application, and the applicant spoke in support of approval.

The committee vote

The committee unanimously supported both parts of the amended officer recommendation, with no votes against and no abstentions.

“The Committee voted on the officer recommendation of approval as amended by the Addendum as follows:”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was authorised subject to completion of a satisfactory legal agreement, the report’s conditions and changes in the Addendum.

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

“That the Executive Director of Place, 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 Head of Terms of the legal agreement or conditions, which may include the variation, addition or deletion of conditions, any such changes shall be within their discretion…”

Minutes