Policy information sourced from the Finsbury Local Plan

BC8 Achieving a balanced mix of uses

A) Within the Employment Priority Areas (General and Offices) designated on the Policies Map and shown on Figure 16:

  • No net loss in business floorspace will be permitted, either through change of use or redevelopment, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated, including through the submission of clear and robust evidence which shows that there is no demand for the floorspace. This evidence must demonstrate that the floorspace has been vacant and continuously marketed for a period of at least two years. In exceptional cases related to site-specific circumstances, where the vacancy period has been less than two years, a robust market demand analysis which supplements any marketing and vacancy evidence may be considered acceptable. In addition, the loss of business floorspace will only be permitted where:
    • The proposal would not have a detrimental individual or cumulative impact on the area’s primary business role and would not compromise economic function/growth, or
    • It can be demonstrated to the council’s satisfaction that the site is no longer suitable for the provision of similar uses.
  • Proposals should incorporate the maximum amount of business floorspace reasonably possible on the site.

B) Within the Employment Priority Area (General) designated on the Policies Map and shown on Figure 16, the employment floorspace component of a development or change of use proposal should not be unfettered commercial office (B1(a)) uses, but, where appropriate, must also include retail or leisure uses at ground floor, alongside:

  • A proportion of non-B1(a) business or business-related floorspace (e.g. light industrial workshops, galleries and exhibition space), and/or
  • Office (B1(a)) or retail (A1) floorspace that may be suitable for accommodation by micro and small enterprises by virtue of its design, size or management, and/or
  • Affordable workspace, to be managed for the benefit of occupants whose needs are not met by the market.

For proposals in excess of 10,000m2 gross employment floorspace, the proportion of micro, small and/or affordable workspace or retail space to be provided should be equivalent to at least 5% of the total amount of proposed employment floorspace. Where on-site provision falls short of the council’s expectation, financial contributions will be sought to secure equivalent provision off-site, based on a cost per square metre of equivalent provision, consistent with the Development Management Policy on size/affordability of workspace.

C) Within the Employment Priority Area (Offices) designated on the Policies Map and shown on Figure 16:

  • The proportion of office (B1(a)) floorspace provided within a development or through change of use should be optimised.
  • Retail or leisure uses may be provided at ground level where an active frontage would enhance the street environment, or where these uses would complement or extend the offer of neighbouring clusters of retail or leisure uses.

D) Throughout the area, major development proposals that would result in a net increase in office floorspace should also incorporate housing, consistent with London Plan Policy 4.3. Where housing comprises less than 20% of the total net increase in office floorspace, an equivalent contribution will be sought for the provision of housing off-site.

E) Within the City University London sites designated on the Policies Map and shown on Figure 16, university uses will be prioritised. On the Bastwick Street site, this includes student accommodation. Student accommodation is not appropriate outside of this site.

F) Within the two Local Shopping Areas designated on the Policies Map and shown on Figure 16, existing retail premises will be protected against change of use. Within each of these two designated areas, proposals will be refused where the resulting proportion of individual retail (A1) units (excluding market stalls) would fall below 35% of the total number of individual units within the Local Shopping Area.

G) New entertainment uses will only be allowed within designated Employment Priority Areas. Development Management Policies will be used to assess applications for new entertainment uses, in order to avoid an unacceptable concentration of such uses.

H) Visitor accommodation may be appropriate within the City Fringe Opportunity Area or in proximity to Farringdon station. Proposals for visitor accommodation must meet the criteria set out in the Development Management Policy on visitor accommodation, alongside other Development Plan policies.

I) New business floorspace must be designed to allow for future flexibility for a range of uses, including future subdivision and/or amalgamation for a range of business accommodation; and should provide full separation of business and residential floorspace where forming part of a mixed use residential development.

J) Outside designated Employment Priority Areas:

  • The provision and retention of uses that complement and support the creation of sustainable communities (including community facilities and open space) will be prioritised, alongside housing.
  • Micro and small workspaces/retail spaces that do not impact on the amenity or character of adjacent residential areas will be encouraged.
  • Ground floor frontages must reinforce the character of the street, with active frontages provided on major and key streets/routes. Where dwellings are provided at ground floor, the design of the building must provide a good standard of privacy and amenity for occupants.

For more information please see the Local Plan