Policy information sourced from the Islington Development Management Policies

DM5.2 Loss of existing business floorspace

Proposals that would result in a loss or reduction of business floorspace will be refused unless the applicant can demonstrate exceptional circumstances, including through the submission of clear and robust evidence which shows 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.

Within Employment Growth Areas and Town Centres, in addition to the above, the loss or reduction of business floorspace will be resisted where the proposal would have a detrimental individual or cumulative impact on the area’s primary economic function (including by constraining future growth of the primary economic function).

Note: part B of this policy does not apply to the part of the borough covered by the Finsbury Local Plan (Area Action Plan for Bunhill and Clerkenwell).

See also Policy DM5.4 (Size and affordability of workspace).

For more information please see the Islington Development Management Policies