Policy information sourced from the Harrow Development Management Policies
DM 32: Office Development
Proposals for new office floorspace within town centres, including proposals within mixed use schemes, will be supported where the scale of provision is appropriate to the role and function of the town centre and the development complies with other relevant policy considerations.
Office Provision through Mixed-Use Conversion or Redevelopment
Proposals for the redevelopment or change of use of purpose-built offices located in town centres and the Northolt Road business use area will be resisted unless it can be demonstrated that the building is no longer fit for office occupation having regard to:
- the age and condition of the building and potential for refurbishment;
- the existing layout of the building and potential for adaptation to smaller/more flexible office units;
- the needs of potential occupiers in the local office market; and
- evidence of continuous and suitable marketing over a 12 month period.
Where the existing office floorspace is greater than 1,000 square metres, and it can be demonstrated that the building is no longer fit for office occupation, as required in (B) above, proposals for mixed use development will be required that:
- includes new employment floorspace providing at least 40% of the existing provision, unless it can be demonstrated that such level of provision would not be viable;
- includes an element of flexible, adaptable office floorspace capable of meeting the changing needs of small businesses.
Offices Outside of Town Centres
The redevelopment or change of use of offices outside of designated town centres and business use areas will be permitted where the building has been vacant for more than 12 months and there is genuine evidence that all opportunities to re-let the accommodation have been fully explored, including evidence of suitable marketing over a 12 month period.
For more information please see the Development Management Policies