The Islington Planning Sub Committee A met to discuss a single item: a planning application for Unit 4, Raymond Way Industrial Estate, seeking permanent permission for commercial kitchens with delivery services, including operation on Sundays and bank holidays. After hearing from council officers, objectors, and the applicant, the committee voted to approve the application, but amended the conditions to remove Sunday and bank holiday operation and to review the Operational Management Plan (OMP) after one year. They also appointed Councillor Shreya Nanda as Vice Chair of the subcommittee.

Unit 4, Raymond Way Industrial Estate

The committee considered planning application P2024/2908/FUL, seeking permanent permission for commercial kitchens with delivery (Sui Generis¹) at Unit 4, Raymond Way Industrial Estate, currently occupied by Deliveroo Editions. The application also requested permission to operate on Sundays and bank holidays between 12pm and 10pm.

The planning officer, Jake Shiels, presented the application, noting that the site had previously been granted temporary permission at appeal in 2022, which expired on 3 February 2025. He stated that there were no proposed physical changes to the building. Shiels also noted that the council had received representations from members of the public, including concerns about noise and vehicle movements.

Objections

Several local residents spoke in objection to the application. Robert Conacher, of 47A Offord Road, raised concerns about the noise impact of the Deliveroo operation, particularly if it were to operate at full capacity. He also questioned the timing of the noise study, which he said was conducted when the operation was not at maximum use.

Lucia, who lives in front of the estate, raised concerns about pollution from the commercial kitchens, as well as the cumulative impact of multiple kitchens operating in the area. Joe, of 45 Offord Road, echoed concerns about noise and pollution, and also suggested that Deliveroo was taking business away from local restaurants.

Councillor Ergün Canonbury and Councillor Charger, neither of whose first names are given in the transcript, also spoke in objection, highlighting the impact of the industrial area on residents and the change from a six-day to a seven-day operation. Councillor Canonbury said:

It kind of feels a little bit like Deliveroo don't actually understand that they are having an impact on the residents and it's kind of hard to see how that can be of benefit to local economy but it's very easy to see how that can be detriment to local residents and for Sunday Time.

Applicant Response

Paul, who runs the policy and sustainability function at Deliveroo, spoke in support of the application. He stated that the site supports a significant number of jobs locally, benefits the local supply chain, and facilitates growth for restaurant partners. He also noted that Deliveroo works with the council's World of Work team to provide mentoring opportunities for students.

Paul addressed concerns about vehicle emissions, stating that 55% of vehicles servicing the site were now electric, and that Deliveroo was incentivising the transition to greener vehicles. He also highlighted the agreed Operational Management Plan for the site, which he said dealt with the behaviour of riders.

Mike Mills from First Plan, the agent for the application, addressed the difference between the site and a similar Deliveroo operation in Swiss Cottage, noting that Swiss Cottage is located in a town centre where there are already a number of restaurants and takeaways.

Committee Discussion

Councillor Fin Craig, Chief Whip, Labour Group, asked about the noise survey and whether it was conducted when the kitchens were operating on Sundays. He also questioned whether the noise assessment was based on a best case assessment of continued reduction of combustion engines.

Councillor Shreya Nanda raised concerns about the behaviour of vehicles coming out of the site onto Offord Road.

During the discussion, Councillor Craig asked why Deliveroo could not commit to using only e-bikes on the site. The response was that it would make the site unviable economically.

Councillor Craig also asked about the possibility of restricting operations to six days a week, to which the applicant responded that the planning policies encourage the intensification of uses.

In response to questions from the committee, the planning officer confirmed that the planning enforcement manager had visited the site and not seen any courier movement in relation to the proposed use on Sundays. The officer also stated that the application was supported by an air quality and odour appraisal.

The planning officer also clarified that if other units in the industrial estate were to come into use as commercial kitchens, they would be subject to the same rigorous assessment process.

Councillor Toby North, the Chair, stated that while it was welcome to see that Deliveroo's rider fleet was electrifying, he was concerned that there was no planning control to ensure that 100% of riders were using non-combustion engines. He also expressed concern about the additional noise and disturbance for residents from Sunday operation.

Councillor North proposed amending condition 3 to remove Sunday and bank holiday operation, and also suggested adding a condition requiring the Operational Management Plan to be reviewed after one year.

Decision

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to the following amendments to the conditions:

• Removal of Sunday and bank holiday operation from condition 3.
• Amendment to the OMP condition to require that it be reviewed and submitted to the council in consultation with residents one year after permission has been permitted.

Appointment of Vice Chair

Councillor North raised the matter of appointing a Vice Chair for the subcommittee and suggested Councillor Nanda for the role. The committee unanimously agreed to the appointment.