Policy information sourced from the Islington Development Management Policies

DM5.4 Size and affordability of workspace

Within Employment Growth Areas and Town Centres, major development proposals for employment floorspace must incorporate an appropriate amount of affordable workspace and/or workspace suitable for occupation by micro and small enterprises.

Within Employment Growth Areas and Town Centres, proposals for the redevelopment of existing low value workspace must incorporate an equivalent amount of affordable workspace and/or workspace suitable for occupation by micro and small enterprises, unless it can be demonstrated to the council’s satisfaction that the site is no longer suitable for the provision of similar uses.

Where workspace is to be provided for small or micro enterprises, but is not within physically separate units, the applicant will be required to demonstrate that the floorspace will meet the needs of small or micro enterprises through its design, management and/or potential lease terms.

Where affordable workspace is to be provided, evidence should be submitted demonstrating agreement to lease the workspace at a peppercorn rate for at least 10 years to a council-approved Workspace Provider.

Where public education, community uses or social infrastructure (e.g. childcare or health facilities) is provided on-site this will be offset against the overall floorspace requirement for micro, small or affordable workspace.

In exceptional circumstances, where the proportion of small, micro or affordable workspace to be provided on site does not meet the council’s expectation, and where it can be demonstrated that the on-site provision of such workspace is inappropriate or would have an unacceptable impact on the viability of a scheme, financial contributions will be sought to secure equivalent provision off-site, based on a cost per square metre of equivalent provision.

For more information please see the Islington Development Management Policies