Former HM Passport Office, Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PN

Planning appeal 3347264 at Former HM Passport Office, Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1PN (City of Westminster Council) was dismissed on 3 December 2024 by Inspector Gilbert-Wooldridge T, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed use would be acceptable having regard to: (a) the existing use; (b) the development plan including any marketing requirements; and (c) any benefits or other material considerations.

the change of use of building to hotel (Class C1) and part of ground floor as flexible commercial, business or service premises (Class E)

Authority: City of Westminster Council
Appeal type: major · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Hearing
Development: leisure-sport · Other Major Developments
Inspector: Gilbert-Wooldridge T
Postcode: SW1V 1PN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the proposed use would be acceptable having regard to: (a) the existing use; (b) the development plan including any marketing requirements; and (c) any benefits or other material considerations

What decided it

The marketing evidence was insufficient to demonstrate that there was no interest in the building's continued use as offices or other Class E use, resulting in conflict with policies protecting office floorspace that was not outweighed by the scheme's benefits.

The moderate economic benefits and significant tourism benefit of the hotel use were outweighed by the considerable harm from the loss of office floorspace and conflict with the development plan arising from inadequate marketing evidence.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: LP Policy E1LP Policy SD1LP Policy SD4LP Policy SD5WCP Policy 1WCP Policy 4WCP Policy 13
Judgments: Burdle v SSE [1972] 1 WLR 1207; London Residuary Body v SSE [1989] 58 P & CR 370

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.