- Decision
- allowed, 28 September 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: Claire Coles
- Authority
- Reigate and Banstead (South East)
- Appeal reference
- 6007410
- Application reference
- 25/01684/CU
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Change of use of launderette to Use Class E (commercial), replacement shopfront and stepped and ramped access
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- HC6(1)
- Development plan policies
- Reigate & Banstead Development Management Plan 2019 INF2, Annex 3
- Main issues
- loss of community facility
Summary
Change of use of a vacant launderette in the Merstham local centre to a general Class E use. Allowed: the marketing evidence met the local plan's six-month test and HC6(1)(a), so there would be no unjustified loss of a community facility.
Issues and findings
- Transition. "This decision was based on the Framework issued on the 17 August 2026. I have sought comments from the main parties" (DL ¶2).
- HC6(1) 12-month marketing. "the 12-month marketing period only applies to shops (Use Class E) and public houses. A launderette is a sui generis use and therefore does not fall into either category" (DL ¶7).
- Plan weight. "Policy INF2 of the DMP is not materially inconsistent with the Framework" (DL ¶9).
- Marketing: PASS. "I am satisfied that the use of POA would not have deterred serious prospective tenants" (DL ¶16); "the proposal would comply with Policy INF2 1.a of the DMP and HC6 of the Framework and would not result in the unjustified loss of the community facility" (DL ¶16).
Planning balance
No balance: compliance with INF2 and HC6(1) settles the case.
What made the difference
Twelve months' unsuccessful marketing overall, including six at a reduced, evidenced rent. Marketing at "Price on Application" was accepted as established practice (DL ¶12–13).
Transferable points
- HC6(1)(a)'s 12-month marketing rule is limited to shops and pubs; other key community facilities (here a sui generis launderette) are judged on viability evidence generally (DL ¶7).
- Marketing at "Price on Application" need not deter serious enquiries (DL ¶12–13).
- Asking a landlord to fund a tenant's fit-out goes beyond "reasonable steps to market" (DL ¶16).
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| HC6(1) | pass | launderette (sui generis) is a key community facility but the 12-month marketing requirement applies only to shops and pubs; in any case marketed about 12 months overall (6 at reduced rent) without success; no unjustified loss (DL 5-7, 16) | |
| Transitional(2) | neutral | INF2 "not materially inconsistent with the Framework"; Annex 3 read alongside the Framework (DL 9) |
Key facts
- Only remaining commercial unit in the west side of the local centre; others converted to housing under prior approval (DL 4)
- Marketing at "Price on Application" found acceptable; rent reduced Feb 2026; council accepted 6 months at reduced rent (DL 12-14)
- Landlord fit-out contribution for a launderette beyond reasonable marketing steps (DL 16)
- Parties' comments sought on the 2026 Framework (DL 2)
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.