Overview

Chivas House occupies a prominent riverside position within the Fulham Reach Conservation Area in Hammersmith.

The building had previously been used as offices but had remained vacant for approximately six years before the planning application was submitted. Planning policy therefore required robust marketing evidence to justify the loss of the existing office use.

The proposals sought to bring the building back into active use as a 45-bed luxury care home, with strong local support and no political objections raised in response to the scheme.

Project scope
45-bed luxury care home
0.17-hectare riverside site
Vacant former office building
Fulham Reach Conservation Area
Five car parking spaces
Facade and internal works strategy
Our role

For contractual and programme reasons, we implemented a two-stage planning strategy to secure approval for the development.

The first stage secured the change of use and proposed landscaping improvements. This application was supported by marketing evidence demonstrating that continued office use was no longer viable in this location, alongside a Care Home Needs Assessment evidencing a clear need for additional care bed spaces within the Borough.

A second application was subsequently prepared in 2026, focusing on facade enhancements to better integrate the building with the surrounding Conservation Area, together with minor external and internal works needed to accommodate the approved care home use.

Two-stage strategy We shaped a planning route around contractual and programme requirements.
Change of use We secured the principle of care home use and associated landscaping improvements.
Marketing evidence We supported the case that continued office use was no longer viable in this location.
Care need We relied on care needs evidence showing the need for additional care bed spaces in the Borough.
River wall matters We helped resolve concerns relating to the river wall, structural integrity and future flood risk.
Conservation design We supported facade enhancements inspired by London’s historic wharf buildings and industrial heritage.
Outcome

Despite an extended determination period of almost 12 months, the first application was granted planning permission in late 2025 after key matters relating to affordable care bed spaces, river wall integrity and flood risk were resolved.

The subsequent application progressed the design and delivery strategy for the approved care home use, including facade enhancements and internal and external works to support the building’s reuse.