The Planning Sub Committee A of Islington Council met on Monday 1 September 2025 to consider a single planning application. The committee granted planning permission for the permanent use of Unit 4, Roman Way Industrial Estate, for commercial kitchens with delivery services, subject to amended conditions.

Unit 4, Roman Way Industrial Estate, 149 Roman Way, N7 8XH

The committee granted planning permission for the permanent use of Unit 4, Roman Way Industrial Estate, as commercial kitchens with delivery services, and to allow operations on Sundays and Bank Holidays. This decision followed a previous temporary permission granted on appeal in 2022.

The application sought to make the existing dark kitchen use permanent and extend operating hours to include Sundays and Bank Holidays. Concerns raised by objectors primarily focused on noise and disturbance from vehicle movements, air quality, and the impact on residential amenity.

Discussions and Decisions:

• Noise and Vehicle Movements: A key point of discussion was the impact of vehicle noise, particularly from scooters. While the applicant highlighted an increase in electric vehicles, reducing noise levels, objectors expressed concern that there were no conditions to guarantee a fully electric fleet. The committee noted that a previous inspector had dismissed a similar argument for a complete ban on petrol scooters due to viability concerns. Ultimately, the committee decided to amend Condition 3 to restrict operating hours on Sundays and Bank Holidays to 12:00-20:00, rather than the proposed 12:00-22:00, aligning with the permitted hours of the nearby Hammerton Brewery taproom.
• Access and Egress: Concerns were raised about the safety of the secondary access gate on Offord Street, particularly regarding potential conflicts between delivery riders and pedestrians accessing Caledonian Road and Barnsbury Station. The committee agreed to impose a condition (Condition 4) restricting all access and egress to the site solely via the Roman Way entrance.
• Operational Management Plan (OMP): The committee decided to add a condition (Condition 7) requiring the Operational Management Plan to be reviewed after one year, in consultation with local residents and ward councillors. This was to address ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of the plan and community engagement.
• Sunday and Bank Holiday Operations: While the application sought to allow operations on Sundays and Bank Holidays, the committee decided to amend the conditions to restrict these hours to 12:00-20:00. This decision was made to mitigate potential noise and disturbance during quieter evening hours.
• Air Quality and Odour: The application was supported by air quality and odour appraisals. Officers noted that previous assessments had found no significant harm to air quality, and that the shift towards electric vehicles had further reduced potential impacts. No objections were raised by the Council's Acoustic Officer or Environmental Health team on these grounds.
• Land Use and Economic Impact: The use was considered akin to an industrial use and acceptable within the Locally Significant Industrial Site (LSIS) designation. The economic benefits of job creation were acknowledged.
• Cumulative Impact: While objectors raised concerns about the cumulative impact of multiple dark kitchen type uses, the committee noted that each application is assessed on its own merits, taking into account the existing context.

The recommendation to grant planning permission was carried unanimously, subject to the amended conditions.

Following the determination of the planning application, the committee proceeded to elect Councillor Shreya Nanda as Vice Chair of the subcommittee.