Our Dental Clinic in Hampton wins Planning Permission

Although it may seem like a simple shift to change a residential unit to a class E use, trust us - it's not - especially within conservation areas like this one! Planning policy has changed in recent times making things both easier and harder at the same time. Roll back a few years, residential units were not as protected by planning policy, but given we're in the middle of a housing crisis now, the current planning policy puts a strong onus on protecting them.

But fear not, since the introduction of Use Class E in September 2020 the UK government has outlined their desire to simplify planning regulations, promote flexibility in commercial property use, and support high streets adapting to changing economic conditions. The key motivations behind this change were:

i) To boost the high street
ii) Encourage mixed-use development
iii) Cutting the red tape and speeding up change of use
iv) Supporting local economic growth
v) Facilitating post-Covid recovery

Any which way, we're through the planning hurdle on this one now! Exciting times as we look to create a new dental office with reception desk and an additional 4 surgeries to this existing practice. The dental reception will be fit out with sustainable finishes throughout creating little courtyards of spaces within the patient flow.

Given the shifting politics, our high streets and planning uses will continue to evolve, so if you've a project out there requiring development on the high street - reach out!