A three-year-long dispute between Abshar Grand Suites at Hillingdon House, a Grade II listed wedding venue in West London, and Hillingdon Council will culminate next week as the venue faces the potential revocation of its marriage licence.
Background of the dispute
The venue, located in Hillingdon, was granted marriage approval in December 2020, which was renewed in April 2024. However, in July 2023, the 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. The venue appealed the notice, but a Planning Inspector dismissed the appeal in October 2025, ordering that the banqueting use must cease by March 2026.
Impact on residential area
The Inspector concluded that the venue caused "unacceptable harm" to the surrounding residential area, with events hosting up to 200 people featuring amplified music, outdoor gatherings, and late-night activity. The noise and activity levels were deemed "entirely at odds with the otherwise relatively quiet, largely suburban residential and parkland surroundings," causing considerable disruption to neighbours' enjoyment of their properties. Additionally, the kitchen extract system in the basement failed to prevent odour impact on nearby homes, and the venue generated substantial traffic, leading to roadside parking and congestion safety concerns, according to the council.
Council's argument for licence revocation
Hillingdon Council argues that under the Marriages and Civil Partnerships Regulations 2005, the venue's use has changed such that it is no longer suitable for solemnising marriages. The regulations require approved premises to be a "seemly and dignified venue for the proceedings." Council officers state: "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 there is no basis to revoke the approval, emphasising that a marriage ceremony is legally separate from a wedding party. They state: "Proceedings, in this context, is a term of art with a narrow meaning, the solemnisation of marriage." They accuse the 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." They dispute any change in use, saying: "First there has been no 'change' in the 'use or structure' of the premises since the approval was granted on 26 April 2024." Furthermore, they claim that because the banqueting suite use now constitutes an illegal planning violation, the council's assumption that harm will continue is "self-evidently irrational and not a proper or lawful basis for revocation."
Upcoming decision
The dispute will be decided at 10am on Thursday, July 2, at the Registrations and Appeals Committee, chaired by Conservative councillor Kelly Martin.
