Planning Potential secured a Certificate of Lawfulness for a new Children’s nursery in 7 days!
Our clients have been able to breathe new life into a vacant two-storey office building in the heart of Barnes Village by securing consent to turn it into a nursery. This change of use will deliver high-quality early years education, meeting growing local childcare needs and strengthen the community’s social infrastructure.
To ensure compliance, a Certificate of Lawful Development (Proposed) was submitted, confirming that the project qualifies as permitted development. The site has an extensive history as an office for over 25 years. Evidence gathered in terms of tenancy agreements confirm continuous use throughout this period.
The Council agreed that the building’s long-standing office use was lawful. Furthermore, moving from one primary use to another within the same use class does not constitute development, meaning planning permission is not required. This was confirmed through the granting of the Certificate.
This proposed shift to a nursery is a sustainable, policy-aligned reuse of the building. It will provide a much needed early years facility, addressing identified childcare demand while preserving the character of Barnes Village.
Summary of Achievements:
• Advising on the planning history of the property and the strategy
• Confirming Planning Permission was not required
• Liaising with Council officers in a positive and collaborative way
• Securing the Certificate of Lawfulness in 7 days
