Certificate of Lawfulness Granted for 9 Flats in Fulham
Certificate of Lawfulness for an Existing Use for 9 flats in Fulham, London, with a comprehensive evidence pack submitted to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAMLONDONCOL APPROVALS
Andrew Ransome
6/8/20262 min read
In 2014, I helped secure a Certificate of Lawfulness for an Existing Use (CLEUD) from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham confirming the lawful use of a property in Fulham as nine separate flats.
The application required detailed evidence to demonstrate, on the balance of probability, that the use had been established continuously for the requisite period without enforcement action.
Certificate of Lawfulness in Hammersmith and Fulham
The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham issued a Certificate of Lawfulness for an Existing Use (CLEUD) confirming the lawful use of a property in Fulham as nine separate flats.
A Certificate of Lawfulness application requires the applicant to demonstrate, on the balance of probability, that the use or development in question has been established for the requisite period without enforcement action.
This legal standard means that the evidence must be thorough and compelling — but it does not require proof beyond reasonable doubt.
In this case, a comprehensive evidence pack was assembled and submitted to the Council, accompanied by a robust legal commentary and a clear timeline that guided the case officer through the sequence of events.
The evidence presented was argued to be well in excess of what the balance of probability test required.
The Certificate was granted on time and within budget, providing the client with formal legal certainty regarding the status of their property.
Planning Application Advice
If you are uncertain about the planning status of a property, or need to regularise a use that has been in place for a number of years, a Certificate of Lawfulness may be the right approach. Contact me to find out how I can assist.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
Certificate of Lawfulness Successes
Planning Application Information
Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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