Extended community centre hours at 269 High Street South, East Ham, London E6

What was proposed

The application sought longer operating hours, from 04:00 to 23:00 every day including Bank Holidays, for an educational and community centre.

“Section 73 application to vary Condition 4 (Hours of Operation) - an increase of hours of operation as follows 04:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday, including Bank Holidays, attached to planning consent 19/00395/FUL dated 25.06.2019 (as varied by 20/00812/VAR dated 31/07/2020), which granted permission for: "Change of use of the ground floor from existing Restaurant to Educational Institute and Community Centre (Use Class D1) including the refurbishment to the front elevation to…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a ground-floor community facility in a commercial terrace, with a residential flat above and residential properties nearby.

“Site, Situation and relevant background information:”

“The application site comprises a mid-terraced ground floor D1 unit with first floor C3 residential flat above within a parade of commercial units fronting High Street South. The site is located outside of a designated Town Centre, Local Centre or Community Facilities Opportunity Area.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the new management measures appropriate because they would limit early-morning activity, deliveries, noise and disturbance to neighbouring properties.

“Environmental Health officers have been consulted with during the lifetime of the application and raised objections to the proposed extended operating hours. It is considered that the submitted documents have not justified the proposed early morning sessions start at 04:00am, noting delivery and preparation work could be done on the day before and would not require a long period of time of 3.5 hours prior to the proposed breakfast club opening time.”

“An Operational Management Plan was received on 23.10.2025 following Members decision to defer the current application during the October Local Development Committee Meeting. It confirms that 6 to 10 employees and volunteers of the existing facility would be carrying out the preparation work and delivery. The allocated staff members would conduct deliveries with their personal car to limit the impact to the neighbouring properties caused by large delivery vehicles.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health objected to the 04:00 start, Transportation had no comment, and four public responses supported the application.

“Appendix 4: Public consultation Date Site Notice erected: 22.07.2025 Date of Press advertisement: N/A Number of properties consulted: Expiry of overall consultation period: 12.08.2025 Number of responses: Number in support: Number of objections: Number of other representations (neither objecting or supporting): Representations received Address: Summary of response: 269A High Street South (received via agent of application) Support for reasons summarised as…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The presenting officer summarised the application, and the applicant and agent gave presentations before the committee.

Committee discussion

Councillor Sabia Kamali asked about the new measures, and officers explained that the previously missing operational management plan had now been submitted and accepted.

“Councillor Sabia Kamali asked the officer what recent measure has been taken and why this application was not accepted earlier. The officer said an operational management plan was not included previously so there was no full understanding before and ever since the last committee meeting, shortcomings were discussed and the operational management plan was submitted. All officers are now satisfied.”

“Councillor Salim Patel thanked the officer and the applicant for the effort and work carried out.”

Minutes

The committee vote

After no further discussion, the chair moved to the recommendation and the committee agreed the approval proposal.

“There being no further discussion, the chair moved to the recommendation.”

“The Local Development Committee RESOLVED to AGREE:”

Minutes