A vacant West London building formerly part of a sixth form college is to be turned into new flats with commercial space on the ground and basement floors, after an application was approved.
The building, which is opposite the Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions veteran housing complex in Fulham, has been empty for more than four years having failed to attract new tenants.
Last used as an annex to the Chelsea Independent College Sixth Form, approval has previously been granted by Hammersmith and Fulham Council for change of use to both a nursery and medical or health service.
Neither permission was implemented, with lengthy attempts to market the site failing to find any takers.
Under the latest plans, filed on behalf of applicant Trevellyan Developments, it was proposed that the upper floors of the five-storey building near Chelsea FC's stadium be turned into seven flats, while the ground and basement floors are available for office, educational, medical or leisure use.
Physical amendments are also planned, including demolishing the existing external staircase.
There were no public representations received responding to the application and no objections from any consultees.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved, writing the proposal would "contribute toward an identified housing need and local housing target by optimising an existing site capacity, that would maintain an existing commercial use which provides local employment which helps to mitigate the loss of community space".
An addendum to the meeting papers detailed a new condition stipulating hours for the potential uses of the commercial spaces. If used for food and drink, no customers are to be on the premises between 11.30pm and 7.30am, or 7.30pm and 7.30am if for a creche, day nursery or day centre.
If it is turned into a gym, no customers are to be allowed between 11.30pm and 7am, with no classes between 9pm and 7am.
Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions is located on Fulham Road, next door to Chelsea FC's home ground, Stamford Bridge
The building is opposite the Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions on Fulham Road, next door to Chelsea FC's home ground Stamford Bridge (Image: LDRS)
Speaking at Tuesday night's Planning and Development Control Committee meeting (July 8), a Mr Trevellyan told members the hours proposed by officers would result in further struggles to find new tenants.
Instead he asked for the hours to be relaxed, claiming potential uses, such as food and drink, need to be able to offer services from 6am in order to be competitive.
"If the ground floor commercial use is not to be left vacant for another four years, we must have slightly more flexibility please in the hours," he told the committee. "And then we may find the chance of getting a tenant."
Several members subsequently asked officers about the proposed hours and the kinds of facilities and activities currently operating in the area.
This included Conservative councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure, with an officer outlining the mixed character of the locality before noting issues with gyms in particular since lockdown due to classes starting early.
"We've had to navigate all of that and find a compromise, and in many of those situations the earliest start we've found to be reasonable, when we've got control, has been 7.30am start/7 o'clock," the officer said. "And 7am is really the maximum we would allow."
He added the team internally was concerned about having a commercial premises which would open earlier, especially with residents living above.
The committee was also told that while officers understand the pressures the applicant is facing regarding finding new tenants, there are potential issues when a change of use is proposed for a site that is not purpose-built. Members voted to unanimously approve the application.
Don't miss out on the biggest West London news. Sign up to our MyWestLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more.