Medical Facility Approved in the Fleet Street, City of London
Change of use from B1 office to D1 medical facility on Fleet Street within the City of London, overcoming office floorspace retention policy through a dual-use strategy and sustainable development arguments.
PLANNING APPROVALSCITY OF LONDONLONDON
Andrew Ransome
6/17/20262 min read
In 2016, the City of London Corporation approved a change of use application for a medical clinic on Fleet Street, within the Fleet Street Conservation Area, ahead of its target determination date.
The key planning challenge was the loss of protected Class B1 office floorspace, which was resolved through a dual B1/D1 use strategy and a well-evidenced case demonstrating the sustainable credentials of the proposal.
Planning Policy Issues in the City of London
Planning approval was obtained from the City of London Corporation for the change of use of a vacant B1 office on Fleet Street to a D1 medical facility. The proposed clinic would provide out-of-hours appointments and general practice consultations for City workers and local residents — a well-evidenced need in this densely occupied part of central London.
The principal planning challenge was the City of London's policy of carefully protecting and monitoring its Class B1 commercial floorspace, which is the primary business function of the Square Mile.
The Fleet Street Conservation Area designation added a further layer of sensitivity to the site context.
To address the employment retention concern, a dual B1/D1 use was proposed, retaining the B1 designation whilst enabling the space to operate as a medical clinic.
This approach ensured that the rooms could be reverted to their original office use if required in future, giving the City of London Corporation continued control over the site's use.
The planning case also demonstrated that the loss of this particular unit of B1 floorspace would not significantly harm the City's business function, and that the proposed D1 use would serve as a complementary and necessary service for neighbouring occupiers.
The proposal was demonstrated to meet the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development — efficiently bringing a vacant office back into productive community use.
The City of London Corporation approved the application two weeks ahead of its target date.
Planning Application Advice
If you are seeking a change of use in a protected commercial area, I can advise on the right strategy to address policy concerns and secure a positive outcome. Get in touch to discuss your project.
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.
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Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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