Gym and storeroom outbuilding at 62 Park Drive, Acton, London W3

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing and rebuilding a detached rear-garden outbuilding for use as a gym and storeroom.

“P/2025/0724 Address: Park Drive, Acton W3 8NA Ward: Chiswick Gunnersbury Proposal: Erection of a detached outbuilding in the rear garden to be used as gym and storeroom. Application validated: March 2025 This application is presented to Planning Committee following a request from Councillor Joanna Biddolph 1.0 SUMMARY 1.1 The proposal being considered under this application is for the erection of a detached outbuilding in the rear garden to be used as a gym and…”

“HISTORY None 4.0 DETAILS OF PROPOSAL 4.1 The application is to demolish the existing detached outbuilding in the rear garden and rebuild it as a gym and storeroom. The maximum height of the outbuilding would not be changed and would match the garage/outbuilding of 60 Park Drive. The pitched roof would be 2.95 metres wide same as existing and there would be a 2.05 metres wide extension with a flat roof.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the design was modest, matched existing materials, and was not expected to harm the area, neighbours or parking.

“The render and bricks would match the existing. The proposal is acceptable due to its modest height and scale, would comply with the Council’s Residential Extension Guidelines and it is not considered it would harm neighbouring properties, the appearance of the house, or Gunnersbury Park Conservation Area.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Two responses were received, including concern about a bathroom; revised drawings removed it, while further concerns challenged rebuilding, parking and possible residential use.

“Figure 3 Proposed elevations 5.0 CONSULTATIONS 5.1 Six neighbouring properties were consulted on 12/03/2025. A site notice was posted on 28/03/2025. Two responses were received and are summarised below: Comment Response The outbuilding will have a bathroom, conflicts with the Council’s Residential Extension Guidelines. Revised drawings have removed the bathroom.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor spoke against the application, followed by a resident who raised concerns about height, access doors and future residential conversion.

Members’ questions and debate

Officers said the conservation officer had not objected, the design complied with policy, and the door was identified as a fire escape.

“Cllr Biddolph advised that the height of the wall was materially and significantly different from the height of the wall in the previous application and was not compliant. She did not accept the drawing with the Application gave an accurate depiction and said that similar proposals had been refused outright due to their harmful impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.”

“[name withheld] advised that the Council’s Conservation Officer had not objected to the height of the proposed flat roof and so Planning officers did not believe that it would harm the Conservation Area. Other applications with similar doors had also been approved. The applications named by [name withheld] that officers had refused had been very different, significantly bigger and included a bathroom and residential room. The Application being considered was compliant with policy.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A motion to approve was proposed and seconded, then passed by 10 votes to none with two abstentions.

“Members voted to approve the Application by a majority vote of 10 to 0 with 2 abstentions.”

“For – 10 votes Against – None. Abstained – 2”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted for the detached gym and storeroom outbuilding, subject to conditions.

“Resolved – that planning permission for planning application 2025/0724, erection of a detached outbuilding in the rear garden to be used as gym and storeroom, was approved subject to conditions.”

Minutes

The conditions

Conditions required the development to follow approved plans, match existing materials and keep the outbuilding incidental to the main house.

“The exact terms of the conditions shall be negotiated by appropriate officers in the Department of Housing, Planning and Economic Regeneration on the Head of Governance’s advice. Planning Conditions: TL01 Time limit The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than three years from the date of this decision.”

“The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans and specifications: [Unnumbered Location Plan and Design and Access statement. Received: 07/03/2025; 1001-B. Received: 01/05/2025]. Reason: In order to ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the planning permission.”

Officer report