Planning Permission Secured for a New Travel Health Clinic in Westminster
Planning permission secured for the change of use for a new travel health clinic in Westminster. A complex case involving Westminster City Council's strict B1 office retention policy in Soho Square, London.
PLANNING APPROVALSWESTMINSTERLONDON
Andrew Ransome
6/7/20261 min read
In 2013, I secured planning permission for the change of use of an office to a travel health clinic in Westminster.
Westminster City Council operates a stringent planning regimes when it comes to protecting office space.
This case involved a client who wished to establish an immunisation clinic within their existing office premises on Soho Square — a location where the Council's B1 retention policy presented a significant planning obstacle.
The challenge was to demonstrate that the proposed change of use to a D1 health centre would not result in any meaningful reduction in office floorspace, whilst also addressing a waste disposal management concern raised by the Council during the application process.
A robust planning case was prepared, setting out detailed evidence that the proportion of B1 space being lost was not significant.
A safe waste disposal management plan was devised and presented to the case officer to resolve the LPA's concerns.
Following direct negotiation, the Council accepted the proposals and granted planning permission.
This is a good example of targeted negotiation with a local planning authority can unlock permissions in restrictive policy environments.
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If you have a development project in Westminster or elsewere in London and require expert planning advice, contact me to discuss how I can help secure planning permission and unlock your site’s potential.
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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