Temporary community facility at Unit 5 12 Powerhouse Lane, Hayes

What was proposed

The application sought a five-year change from a café to a local community use, with a replacement entrance door and internal storage alterations.

“Planning permission is sought for the temporary change of use (for five years) from cafe (Use Class E) to Local Community Use (Use Class F2).”

“In terms of physical works, the proposed development includes no external alterations to the building, other than the replacement of an entrance door. Internally, the development involves the blocking up of an existing door, allowing for storage space to be created.”

Officer report

The site

The site is Unit 5 in a two-storey building within The Old Vinyl Factory, a conservation area and an air quality focus area.

“The development site is located on the west side of Powerhouse Lane. The site comprises a two-storey partially locally listed building known as the Powerhouse building . In terms of design the building is made up of two segments, a modern warehouse style section and brick section with historic arch that is locally listed. Within the modern non-locally listed part of the building is Unit 5, which is the element of the building subject to this application.”

“Hillingdon Planning Committee – 4 th September 2025 PART 1 – Members, Public & Press  2.3 The site is located within The Botwell: Thorn EMI Conservation Area and Locally Listed Buildings exist within the area. It is also within an Air Quality Focus Area, Air Quality Management Area and is located upon potentially contaminated land. The site is in Flood Zone 1 and has a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) of 4 (Good).”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier permissions covered the wider Old Vinyl Factory mixed-use development and later reserved matters for the Power House, including a café.

“AAppendix 2: Relevant Planning History 59872/APP/2012/1838The Old Vinyl Factory Site Blyth Road Hayes Outline planning application for a mixed use development of the Old Vinyl Factory site including the demolition of up to 12,643 sqm of buildings and construction of up to 112,953 sqm (112,953 sqm includes the retention and re-use of 784 sqm of the Power House and 901 sqm Pressing Plant) of new floorspace.”

“Decision: 18-03-2014Approved 59872/APP/2015/665The Old Vinyl Factory Blyth Road Hayes Reserved matters (appearance and landscaping) in compliance with conditions 2 and 3 for Phase 4 of The Old Vinyl Factory Masterplan - The Power House (Energy Centre, Music Venue/Restaurant and Cafe), of planning permission ref: 59872/APP/2013/3775, dated 31/07/2014 (Variation of condition 4 of outline planning application ref.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the vacant unit could support local residents, while limited works and the temporary period would limit harm.

“The proposed loss of commercial space (Class E) is regrettable; however, it would be for a temporary period of 5 years and is therefore considered to be acceptable having regard to the proposed community use which is intended to serve local residents and increase vitality to the area. Furthermore, the café has been vacant since 2019, so the temporary utilisation of the space is supported.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The proposal was considered acceptable because it would preserve the conservation area, protect neighbours and create no significant highway or parking impact.

“Taking into consideration the mixture of uses which exist within the area, the limited external works to the building and internal alterations, the proposed development is considered to preserve the significance, character and appearance of the Conservation Area. The proposal would therefore comply with Policies DMHB 2 and DMHB 4 of the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2 (2020).”

“The proposed development is located within PTAL 4, indicating that the site is well connected to forms of public transport. The unit does not benefit from allocated parking therefore neither the existing café nor replacement use would benefit from allocated parking. However, given the nature of the community use proposed it is unlikely that the unit would serve those outside of the local community.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Officers introduced the application and answered members’ question about the proposed community use and lease arrangements.

What members discussed

Members said community spaces were needed, commended Hayes Independent Party Group members’ work, and asked about the end user and lease period.

“Members noted that community spaces were always much needed and commended the Members of the Hayes Independent Party Group for their longstanding work to get more community spaces in the Hayes area.”

“Members asked what type of community use this would be for. Officers noted that the Council was the applicant and would be obtaining a lease. The end user was not yet identified. The initial lease would be for two years of the five-year temporary change of use.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The officers’ recommendation was moved, seconded and unanimously agreed.

“Officers’ recommendations were moved, seconded and when put to a vote, unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved for the temporary change of use.

“Temporary change of use (for five years) from cafe (Use Class E) to Local Community Use (Use Class F2).”

Minutes