Fuller Long has successfully applied for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) for an existing business in Hounslow.

Our client approached us after a previous application was refused, with the Council deeming that not enough evidence was provided to prove that his car-repair business had been in continuous existence for at least 10 years. This is because the onus is on the applicant to provide enough evidence to prove beyond doubt that the use has been present for this time.

The principle objective for our client was to make his business, situated in a garage at the end of his garden, lawful. Through an initial review of the available documents it was concluded that, although the business had never been registered, the provision of additional information would help overcome the Council’s concerns. In order to prepare this our client made use of our full service; including the preparation of Affidavits, formalisation of the company’s logbooks and sales ledgers, and preparation of a timeline showing how all the information represented a timeline of continuous operation for 10 years.

We painted a picture that the Council could not have any doubt represented a running business and they subsequently concluded that the use was lawful, much to our client’s delight.

The lead consultant on the project said “through a meticulous and well thought-out account we are happy to have provided a robust case for the development and I’m delighted that our client can now rest easy knowing his business has a lawful home”.

If you have built something or have changed the use of a property and are in need of assistance in applying for a LDC, or just wish to discuss your situation, please contact us on 0808 164 1288 for a no-obligation conversation with one of our experienced team of consultants.