# 50 Nutfield Road, Merstham (launderette to Class E)

- **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
- **Tags:** tier-2, community-facility, marketing-evidence, hc6-marketing-12-months, parties-consulted-on-2026-framework, local-policy-consistency

## 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
- **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
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6007410
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/661f9918-7bf5-4442-8f7a-bb2f0d157a64

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6007410.html

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