Policy information sourced from the Westminster City Plan
13. Supporting economic growth
A: New and improved office floorspace will be supported to provide capacity for at least 63,000 new jobs over the Plan period, enabling the continued growth and clustering of the creative, knowledge, and research-based sectors. Additional floorspace that meets the needs of modern working practices, including through the provision of co-working space and a range of Class E (commercial, business and service) uses on site, is supported in principle in the:
- Parts of the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) with a commercial or mixed-use character, including the West End Retail and Leisure Special Policy Area (WERLSPA) and Opportunity Areas;
- North West Economic Development Area (NWEDA) and Church Street / Edgware Road Housing Renewal Area; and
- Town centre hierarchy.
B: In the NWEDA and the Church Street / Edgware Road Housing Renewal Area, a range of workspace typologies, including workshops and studios, will be particularly welcome.
C: Proposals involving the provision of affordable workspace will generally be supported throughout the commercial areas of the city.
D: The net loss of office floorspace from the CAZ:
- to residential development will only be permitted in those parts of the CAZ that are predominantly residential in character and where the proposal would reinstate an original residential use;
- to hotel use will only be permitted where there is no interest in its continued use for office or any other Class E (commercial, business and service) uses education or community use, as demonstrated by vacancy and appropriate marketing for a period of at least 12 months.
E: Proposals within the NWEDA involving the loss of space suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be resisted. Redevelopment proposals will be required to re-provide existing employment floorspace, including dedicated space that meets the needs of SMEs.
For more information please see the City Plan