Community centre extension at 80 - 82 Shenley Road, Borehamwood

What was proposed

The application sought a community use, a rear extension for lift access, a terrace, altered materials, servicing equipment and boundary works.

“DEVELOPMENT Change of use of the property from Class E to Class F1 and construction of a three- storey rear extension to provide internal lift access. Alterations to fenestration. Alterations to materials on the front facade. Creation of new terrace to facilitate outdoor amenity space at first floor level including new canopy. Roof alterations. Provision of cycle storage and refuse & recycling facilities.”

“Alterations to facilitate the change of use include the construction of a three- storey rear extension to provide internal lift access; alterations to fenestration and materials; new roof terrace to create outdoor amenity space at first floor level including a new canopy; roof alterations; provision of cycle storage and refuse & recycling facilities; boundary works to include a new perimeter fence at 2.4m high; and the installation of air source heat pumps and extraction…”

Officer report

The site

The vacant three-storey former bank occupies a prominent town-centre corner within a primary retail frontage.

“The application site is located to the southern side of Shenley Road. The site comprises of a vacant three-storey building which was formerly in use as ‘Natwest Bank’ at ground floor with associated ancillary office space at first and…”

“The site is situated on a prominent corner location, on the junction of Shenley Road and Centenary Place. ‘The Point’ is located immediately adjacent to the rear of the site and the surrounding area is characterised by a variety of different uses, including residential, commercial, cultural and institutional.”

Officer report

Earlier permission

Permission was granted in May 2025 for a similar change to community, educational and office uses.

“Reference number Description Date and outcome 25/0105/FUL Change of use of the property from Class E to F1 comprising a community centre with associated educational functions and office space. Associated cycle storage and refuse & recycling facilities. Grant Permission 23 May 2025”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and infrastructure consultees raised no objections, while Environmental Health raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Consultee Date Consulted HCC Growth & Infrastructure 18 July 2025 Thames Water Development Planning 18 July 2025 Affinity Water Limited 18 July 2025 Uk Power Networks 18 July 2025 Cadent Gas Limited (Prev National Grid Company Plc ) 18 July 2025 Environmental Health & Licensing 18 July 2025 Senior Traffic Engineer 18 July 2025 CIL 18 July 2025”

“Environmental Health & Licensing No objection subject to conditions…”

Officer report

Who attended

The rabbi attended to support the application, and members thanked the applicant organisation for its community work.

Members’ discussion

Members welcomed the application for its community welfare benefits and potential contribution to regeneration.

“Members welcomed the application, saying it would bring community welfare benefits and help regenerate the area. They thanked the rabbi for attending to support the application, and the applicant organisation for its community work.”

Minutes

The vote

All 13 members voted for approval, with no votes against and no abstentions.

“It was proposed by Councillor P Morris and seconded by Councillor N Susman that the application be approved, in line with Officers’ recommendation.”

“For: (13 total) - Councillors G Alexander, M Allen, C Gray, H Green, M Handley, A Kaza, D Lambert, P Morris, S Quilty, P Richards, B Rosehill, L Smith and N Susman Against: (0 total) - No votes Abstain: (0 total) - No votes Total votes cast: 13”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions set out by the officers.

“-PL 36- RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions set out in the Officer’s report. Councillor P Richards returned to the meeting at the start of this item. [Councillor P Richards returned to the meeting at the start of this item.]”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Conditions covered approved plans, noise, kitchen ventilation and odour, opening hours, terrace screening, storage and crime prevention.

“Prior to the installation of the kitchen, the Applicant shall; Conduct a Risk Assessment in accordance with Appendix 3 of EMAQ+ Control of Odour and Noise from Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems, and must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This risk assessment must inform the type and extent of odour abatement required to prevent an impact on amenity at the nearest sensitive receptors. 2.”

“THE FIRST FLOOR TERRACE AREA SHALL HEREBY NOT BE USED until details of screening have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.”

Officer report