A three-year dispute between Abshar Grand Suites at Hillingdon House, a Grade II-listed wedding venue in West London, and Hillingdon Council is set to reach a critical juncture next week. The venue faces the potential loss of its marriage licence following a planning inspector's ruling that its operations caused unacceptable harm to nearby residents.
Background of the Dispute
The venue initially secured marriage approval in December 2020, which was renewed in April 2024. However, this licensing process ran concurrently with a separate planning disagreement. In July 2023, Hillingdon Council’s planning department issued an Enforcement Notice concerning the unauthorised material change of use of the ground floor and basement into a banqueting suite for private civil ceremonies, weddings, and parties.
Despite an appeal from the venue, a Planning Inspector upheld the council's decision in October 2025, dismissing the challenge. The Inspector mandated that the banqueting operations must cease within five months, by March 2026. The Inspector concluded that the venue had caused “unacceptable harm” to the surrounding residential area, with events hosting up to 200 people featuring amplified music, outdoor gatherings, and late-night activity, all contributing to significant disturbance for nearby residents.
Noise and Nuisance Issues
The Inspector found that the noise and activity levels were “entirely at odds with the otherwise relatively quiet, largely suburban residential and parkland surroundings and causing considerable and appreciable disruption to the everyday enjoyment by neighbours of their properties.” Furthermore, the kitchen extract system in the basement did not meet requirements to prevent odour from impacting nearby residential properties. The venue also generated substantial traffic, leading to incidents of roadside parking and congestion that caused safety concerns, according to the council.
Legal Arguments Over Marriage Licence
Hillingdon Council argues that under the Marriages and Civil Partnerships Regulations 2005, the use of the premises has changed in such a way that it is no longer suitable for solemnising marriages. The regulations require approved premises to be a “seemly and dignified venue for the proceedings.” To justify linking a planning violation to a marriage licence, council officers stated: “It is therefore not appropriate to consider the narrow ceremony in isolation from the wider use and operation of the premises.” They maintain that the venue’s impacts are “inconsistent with… the requirement that approved premises be suitable for proceedings of a dignified and seemly character,” and that “the overall character and operation of the premises cannot reasonably be separated from the environment in which those proceedings take place.”
Venue's Defence
Solicitors for the venue argue that there is no basis to revoke the approval. They emphasise that a marriage ceremony is legally separate from a wedding party, stating: “Proceedings, in this context, is a term of art with a narrow meaning, the solemnisation of marriage.” They have accused Hillingdon Council of overstepping, arguing: “It is inappropriate to (mis)use the powers conferred by the 2005 Regulations to seek to address matters covered by other legislation and entrusted to other bodies.” Additionally, they claim: “There has been no ‘change’ in the ‘use or structure’ of the premises since the approval was granted on 26 April 2024.” Finally, because the banqueting suite use now constitutes an illegal planning violation, they argue the council’s assumption that the harm will continue is “self-evidently irrational and not a proper or lawful basis for revocation.”
Upcoming Decision
The dispute will come to a head at 10am on Thursday, July 2, at the Registrations and Appeals Committee. The meeting will be chaired by Conservative councillor Kelly Martin.
