NO2ID

Several IPS offices have been located in the last few days through planning applications being lodged for air conditioning units to be installed in offices currently in the Mapeley existing portfolio. These all have permission for B1 use. Do they now require applications to be made for change of use to interview and admin (sui generis)? If so we can now monitor them more effectively than if we were still looking for addresses!

My local planning office thinks that interviews can be carried out under B1. Are they right?

They may well be.

Planning officers in Ipswich and Norwich expressed this view at planning hearings we attended there. Apparently Mapely submitted the applications anyway "for the avoidance of doubt".

Is it possible that news of objections has seeped back to Mapely and the Home Office, and they've decided they prefer minor doubts about planning permission to giving us a platform for protest?

They have applied for change of use from B1 for all of the offices so far- perhaps you are right, they may just risk going ahead with the rest to avoid conflict points.

Does anyone have any thoughts that we might have cause to raise an objection on planning grounds if they do this? We might be able to force a planning committee decision and hence our platform!

When are still watching out for the Swindon app. despye all eyes being peeled, it eludes us.

Thnks for the prompt that exisiting Mapely B1 were being slid along...

Keep an eye on existing HMRC (including the VOA) premises, which are already in Mapeley management and which have been the site of almost all the plans we know about. E.g., in Swindon

Spring Gardens House
Princes Street
Swindon, SN1 2HX

If part of the HMRC or Mapeley managed office (such as the VOA) is vacant, but looks ready to occupy, be suspicious. An application to install air conditioning units can't be far off. That's how I found my local IPS centre- go and have a look.

The on-line planning portal is less that transparent in some towns. You may have to go to the planning office to find out if an application has been lodged for a particular building.

My local IPS centre has just got planning permission to install condensers for aircon units. They didn't apply for change of use from BI, but they are now fitting out the office for use and no new application has been lodged. Could be that they aren't going to bother.

If they set up shop with a name plate on the door etc our local group will be lodging an objection on planning grounds- we want our day in court (or the council offices)! So any hope they had of starting up quietly will be dashed. We know we can't win on planning grounds, but we can have our press coverage whether they like it or not! I suggest other groups with an application going through for condensers keep an eye out for signs of other work as well.