Takeaway in East London

After two High Court challenges, multiple Committee meetings and now an appeal, we helped a businessman in the Shadwell area of East London finally get permission to open a takeaway.

He came to us after residents had twice successfully overturned the local Council's decision to grant permission through the Courts. The applicant was desperate to open his business in a vacant shop but, with objections mounting in the thousands, the Council refused permission again. We took the case to appeal, with the unusual issue of 'healthy eating' being a main topic for discussion. We demonstrated to the Inspector that there were no policies that prevent the opening of the takeaway, and there wouldn't be any harm to healthy living objectives. Highways and amenity grounds were also discussed in the decision. Now, after a very long time, this small business can finally get up and running.

Replacement house in the Green Belt

A local job: replacing a small bungalow in the Green Belt near Windsor for a larger house. This project involved careful analysis of previous decisions on the site to present a scheme, in conjunction with the architect, to show a larger house that complied with planning policy. There was a previous permission on the site granted many years ago, but the client is much happier with his new house!

Another Grosvenor project

Our work with the Grosvenor Estate continues, with listed building consent being granted for significant internal works to the upper floors of this commercial building, to create high specification apartments. A full Heritage Statement was produced following analysis of the building and research at archives. The changes to the building were well-justified to persuade Westminster Council that the works would be acceptable, and listed building consent and planning permission granted.

Nursing home, Surbiton

A Nursing Home in Surbiton, Surrey, called on our services when the Council received complaints about new buildings they had put up in their garden, in a Conservation Area. Planning permission had been refused for similar buildings in a similar place a few years before. We submitted a planning application to retain the buildings and reassured the Council that there was no harm to the neighbours or the area. Planning permission has been granted.

An appeal win to start off the blog

The first bit of news is a successful appeal for a client in New Malden, Surrey. The client had applied for a change of use of part of the office building to residential. This had been supported by evidence that there was no commercial demand for the floorspace. Unfortunately, the LB Kingston upon Thames refused permission.

At appeal it was demonstrated with robust evidence that the change of use and loss of employment would not conflict with the Council's planning policies. Our role was in presenting the case and co-ordinating the input and evidence from other professionals. The Inspector agreed with the appeal case, and permission granted for the change of use.

Welcome to the planning news page!

A new part of the website - recent news from Leigh & Glennie Ltd. This will profile projects that have been undertaken for clients, to give a wider idea of the range of work that the practice undertakes.

We hope you find it useful!

Listed building on Grosvenor estate

Recently we have been working on a number of properties owned by the Grosvenor estate - providing advice on conversion works and extensions to listed buildings and properties within the conservation areas of Belgravia and Mayfair.

This scheme was for internal alterations and a rear extension to a Grade II listed building, designed by W D Caroe in the late 19th Century and much admired in the Survey of London. The works also saw the removal of original parts of the building to the rear. We undertook historical research and prepared a Heritage Statement to accompany the planning and listed building applications to the Council. Approval was granted for this sensitive scheme by Westminster.