We'll see how this turns out but it's very possibly an example of shooting yourself in the foot by being too clever.
A straightforward application for change of use based on what was actually intended would have run into some opposition. Not just from locals offended by the exploitation of these women's murders, or sick of 'ripper experts' blocking the pavements with 'tours'. Some adjacent property owners would be concerned about their inflated property values. (On the other hand the owners of 'Poppies Diner' or, if they are still there, the dodgy looking geezers running the car hire firm across the road, might welcome the additional trade). The Council has cast a cold eye on Ripper themed attractions in the past for a variety of reasons. However it's very unlikely that the opposition would be at anything like the levels these fools have aroused.
Planners don't have the power to block this kind of development because of what it is. It's located within the '
Wilton's Music Hall Conservation Area' (pdf file) approved in 2008 but that will only affect what they can do to the exterior or how high they can build. But planners, (along with building inspectors) do have the power to delay approval while appropriate questions are asked and answered, and while that doesn't hold up big developers it can have a significant effect on the bottom line for small scale exploiters like these arses.
Having been caught out telling a pack of lies in the planning application reopens the issue of the truthfulness of everything else stated in the application. For example, this is a small building. Building and fire regulations clearly come into play in a different way for this kind of attraction than if it was a shop with small business offices above it. If their permissions depend on small pre-booked parties being given an escorted tour, rather than people wandering about at will, it restricts their earning potential if that is monitored for compliance. The same with any building regulation or fire safety requirements .
I haven't had a chance to look through the planning applications in detail - I intend to have a look at them over the weekend - but I'm still interested in the view of the staircase shown in the BBC news report. I posted this picture yesterday but here's an enhanced version. It raises questions in my mind about fire access.
If these cocks were hoping to slip under the radar and then do exactly what they want (as an enormous number of small property investors do) they've already seriously miscalculated. I doubt this level of potential scrutiny was part of the business plan.