Stone workshop and warehouse at 1 Riverside Yard, Wimbledon, London SW17

“The site is an open yard (0.0845ha) situated at the southern end of the Riverside Yard industrial estate. It is currently used by Livra UK Ltd, a stone merchant, for the storage of stone. Riverside Yard is also occupied by a single storey warehouse building, a two-storey warehouse building and a five storey-artist studios building, all located to the north of the proposed site.”

“APPLICATION DETAILS: Erection of a two-storey building (881 sq m) for use as a workshop and warehouse use classes B2 and B8) with associated office space (class E) at first floor level. The building would be 19.4m high sloping down to 14.1m, 29.43m wide and 15.4m deep. The ground floor is to be used as a store for stone with a gantry crane and loading bay. The upper level is proposed to be used as an office.”

“The site is located within the Summerstown Strategic Industrial Location (SIL). To the north and west of the site, within the Wandsworth borough boundary, the sites are predominantly used for industrial purposes. To the east and south of the site, within the Merton borough boundary, there is significant residential and commercial development, including a number of new residential blocks of flats and the new Wimbledon football stadium (formerly Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium).”

“2017: 2017/2095: Approved: Erection of three-storey building for use as workshop and warehouse with offices above (use Classes B1, B2 and B8) with associated car parking, disabled parking, bike storage and bin storage areas. (Not implemented).”

“2012: 2012/1635: Approved: Erection of part two, part three-storey workshop and warehouse building with ancillary offices (Classes B2/B8). (Not implemented).”

“The proposal is for a two-storey shed (GIA 881sqm) to be used as a storage facility, with the potential for use as a stone cutting workshop and would comprise of ancillary offices above. The proposed building is approximately 19.5m tall, meeting the definition of a mid-rise building set out at Local Plan Policy LP4. It would include a loading bay and a gantry crane spanning the full width of the building to move the stone.”

“The proposal would support the intensification of a site by providing a continued industrial use and increasing/creating new B2/B8 floorspace in accordance with Local Plan Policy LP34. Overall, it is clear there could have been scope for further intensification on this, particularly given that the site is located within a designated SIL, as well as being a site with the greatest potential for height as it forms part of a tall-building zone.”

“Neighbour Consultation Summary OBJECTIONS: summarised as: • Wimbledon Stadia One RTM Company Ltd are responsible for managing the estate that owns a private road Batsford Way. • Proposal creates frontage and pedestrian access onto private estate.”

“Part of this boundary wall has an old Greyhound Stadium mural, which AFC Wimbledon are considering restoring - no business adjacent to us has any jurisdiction in changing or removing this boundary wall.”

“Members sought additional clarity regarding access to the site. The Area Team Manager (West Team) stated that initially the plans had indicated a form of access from the site to Batsford Way which was a private road, which had resulted in an objection from AFC Wimbledon.”

“The Committee queried the status of a boundary wall which contained a historic mural. Officers confirmed that the mural was located further north on Batsford Way outside of the application site, and therefore no works were proposed to the wall or to the mural as a result of the proposal.”

“RESOLVED – (unanimous) that planning permission be granted as set out in the report, CIL liable.”