A proposal to extend the temporary use of a shipping container workspace in Shepherd's Bush has met with resistance from local residents, who cite concerns over noise, appearance, and potential anti-social behaviour.
The retention of the containers is linked to the provision of a continued meanwhile use on this underutilised site, related to the long-term refurbishment / redevelopment works associated with Shepherd's Bush Market (SBM) and redevelopment of the application site, the Old Laundry Yard (OLY), secured under planning permission (ref: 2023/01093/FUL) dated 7 August 2024.
The Hammersmith and Fulham Planning and Development Control Committee considered the application for the former laundry site on Pennard Road at a meeting on Wednesday 30 July 2025. The application, submitted by YC Shepherd's Bush Limited, seeks to retain the existing 52 shipping containers for use as creative and affordable workspace units and ancillary storage until 31 July 2026, to allow for the wider regeneration of the site.
However, the proposal has drawn significant opposition, with 116 objections received, including representations from the former Chair of the Shepherd's Bush Market Traders Association (SBMTA) and Friends of Shepherd's Bush Market, as well as residents in Pennard Road and Lime Grove. YC Shepherd's Bush Limited has been made aware of these concerns, which have been addressed in the officer's report to the committee.
Key concerns raised include:
- The containers being unsightly and poorly maintained.
- Inconsistencies between the proposed operational hours and those of Shepherd's Bush Market. The proposed operating hours for the shipping container workspace are 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Sunday, including Bank Holidays, while Shepherd's Bush Market trades six days a week (Monday to Saturday) from 09:30 to 18:00.
- Light pollution impacting neighbouring residential amenities.
- Concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.
- The impact of noise.
To mitigate these concerns, several measures are proposed:
- Revised operating hours of 08:00-20:00 Monday-Sunday (including Bank Holidays).
- CCTV in operation across the entire site.
- Securely shut gates in the evenings, managed by an on-site manager.
- Lighting compliant with the Institution of Lighting Professionals Guidance.
- Internal container lighting to be switched off when units are vacated.
- Adherence to an Operational Management Plan prepared by Gerald Eve.
The officer's report recommends granting planning permission subject to conditions. These conditions include a time limit, approved drawings, hours of operation, refuse storage enclosures, deliveries, external lighting, internal container lighting, noise from uses and activities, amplified noise, an Operational Management Plan (OMP), cycle parking, use restrictions on the containers, no external alterations, and provisions for Pennard Road and Shepherd's Bush Market access, and the main entrance.
The council defines 'flexible and affordable workspace suitable for small and medium enterprises' in Local Plan Policy E1. The report states that the containers are used/available for storage purposes by market traders or local charities, others for creative studios (wood works) and/or office use. The Applicant confirms that 15 (28.8%) of the container units are currently let, 3 let to https://www.flowhappy.org/ and 3 to the Bush Theatre, free of charge.
The Theatres Trust was consulted and raised no objections to the proposal.
The agenda for the meeting shows that Councillor Nikos Souslous chaired the Planning and Development Control Committee meeting. Other attendees included Councillor Ross Melton (Chair of Pension Fund Committee and Lead Member for Energy and Decarbonisation), Councillor Nicole Trehy (Chair of the Climate Change and Ecology PAC), Councillor Patrick Walsh (Chair of Audit Committee, Deputy Whip, and Borough Representative for the Armed Forces Community), Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure (Opposition Deputy Leader), Councillor Jackie Borland, Councillor Callum Nimmo, and Councillor Lydia Paynter (Lead Member for Women and Girls).
The reports pack provided to the committee details the officer recommendation to grant planning permission subject to conditions.
The committee also considered several other planning applications, including developments at Ravenscourt Park Hospital, White City Living, Threshold and Union House, Flat A Basement on Stowe Road, and 21 Thorpebank Road. These other applications will be covered in separate reports.