Policy information sourced from the Bunhill and Clerkenwell area action plan
BC1 Prioritising Office Use
Due to the significant evidenced need to provide office floorspace to cater for projected jobs increases and secure inclusive economic growth, office floorspace is the clear priority land use across the entire Bunhill and Clerkenwell AAP area.
All development proposals providing 500sqm or more net increase in floorspace (within any use class) must comprise at least:
- 90% office floorspace (as a proportion of the total net additional floorspace proposed) in the City Fringe Opportunity Area; or
- 80% office floorspace (as a proportion of the total net additional floorspace proposed) in any other part of the Bunhill and Clerkenwell AAP area.
Development proposals under the threshold set out in Part B must be office-led, meaning that the majority of floorspace (as a proportion of the total net additional floorspace proposed) must be office floorspace.
In limited circumstances, the Council may determine that Parts B and C do not apply, although office floorspace must still be maximised as far as possible where this is the case. These circumstances are:
- where an existing use, which is protected by another Local Plan policy or allocation, is expected to be the predominant use to be re-provided on site;
- where a particular site is considered more suitable for other types of business floorspace such as B1(c) space. In such cases, the relevant percentage/requirement set out in Part B or C would apply to total business floorspace rather than office;
- where a proposal is publicly funded or serves a public service, such as educational, medical, or research institutions;
- development which is proposed in wholly residential parts of the AAP area, such as housing estates; or
- proposals for small-scale extensions to existing residential buildings where it is not practical or reasonable to introduce office uses.
For more information please see the Bunhill and Clerkenwell area action plan