Upper Norwood is set to welcome a new Gail's bakery after Croydon Council's Planning Sub-Committee approved a change of use application for the premises at 58-60 Westow Hill. The decision, made on Thursday 24 July 2025, paves the way for the vacant site, formerly occupied by Coopers restaurant and bar, to be transformed into a bakery.
The application was brought before the committee because objections above the threshold in the Committee Consideration Criteria were received.
The application sought permission for a change of use of the ground floor from Class E/Sui Generis (Restaurant with Drinking Establishment Use) to Open Class E use. According to the Public Reports Pack, this change allows Gail's to operate without the 'sui generis bar element'. Katie Parr explained that both the previous use and the current use fall within Class E, but Gail's Bakery seeks to update the use class situation to open Class E, essentially because they no longer need the Sui Generis part, which belonged to the hub aspect of Cooper's.
Katie Park, Case Officer, North Team, explained to the Planning Sub-Committee that the applicant is seeking to regulise and absolutely align their use with the planning consent. Park clarified that the applicant could go in and operate, but they want to do the right thing and align their planning permissions with exactly their use.
According to the agenda, the site is designated as Secondary Retail Frontage in the Upper Norwood District Centre and also within the Upper Norwood Conservation Area. The Planning Sub-Committee heard that the bakery will operate from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday. The retail use will have an active window display, with a cafe element ancillary to the retail function.
To address potential disruptions to the Upper Norwood area, Gail's submitted a delivery management plan. The plan states there will be two deliveries a day: one in the morning before the shop opens (5am to 7am) for baked goods, and another in the afternoon to replenish stock. Deliveries will take about 10 minutes, with the delivery van parking in the loading bay. The plan aims to minimize noise during deliveries and provides a clear protocol for handling noise complaints.
Rob Scadding, agent for Gail's, addressed the committee, stating that Gail's is seeking formal consent for Open Class E to ensure the permitted use Class meets their operational requirements. Scadding added that introducing Gail's to the Crystal Palace District Centre aligns perfectly with both national and local policies aimed at maintaining the vitality and viability of town centres. He mentioned that occupying the vacant unit on West O'Hill will activate the frontage and contribute to the area's diverse offer, aligning with local policies and paragraph 90 of the MPPF, which support the role of town centres as community hubs.
The applicant also submitted details on a Fire Safety Strategy, which were considered to sufficiently address the requisite fire safety measures/procedures. The transcript also mentions that subject to the imposition of an appropriately worded condition the proposed development would comply with Policy D12.
Councillor Lara Fish, Deputy Cabinet Member for Customer Service, commented that she thought it was so compliant and applauded Gail's for wanting to just make it all above board. Councillor Humayel Kabir, Member of the Planning and Subcommittee, welcomed the application as there are a lot of retail shops forcing down to close in that parade. Councillor Kabir added that the submitted delivery management plan and fire safety strategy adequately address the operational and the safety concern.
Councillor Clive Fraser, Vice Chair of the Committee, said that he never knew the removal of so generous use could be so interesting. Councillor Fraser asked if there was anything that planning can do to actually stop a chain use, but acknowledged that the answer was no.
The committee voted to grant the application. Councillor Michael Neal, Chair of the Planning Subcommittee, confirmed that the committee had resolved to grant the application at 58-60 Westow Hill, Upper Norwood.
The conditions attached to the planning permission granted to Gail's are:
- Commencement time limit of 3 years
- Carried out in accordance with the approved drawings
- Compliance with the Delivery Management Plan prepared by Planning Potential Ltd.
- Compliance with the Fire Safety Strategy information submitted with the application, dated 14/7/2025
- Any other condition(s) considered necessary by the Director of Planning and Sustainable Regeneration
