The meeting of the Planning Sub-Committee (2) will consider six planning applications covering a range of proposals, including the change of use of a commercial unit, the excavation of basements and associated works, and an application to approve details of an access route to a waste refuse store.

17 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LE

The meeting pack contains an officer's report that recommends the Sub-Committee refuse advertisement consent for the replacement of the curtain wall glazing to the front of 17 Leicester Square with transparent LED panels that would be used to display advertising. Soho Estates, the freeholder of the building, wants to use the new screen to display advertising for up to 24 hours a day and to use the screen to display moving content for up to 40 events, like film premieres, each year. The report explains that the LED screen would harm the visual amenity of the area, impacting on the character and appearance of the Leicester Square Conservation Area. The report also recommends refusal on the grounds that the proposal would harm the amenities of prospective occupiers of flats at 1 Bear Street because it would generate unacceptable levels of light pollution, failing to meet the council's guidance as set out in its Environmental Supplementary Planning Document (February 2022).

31 Bloomfield Terrace, London, SW1W 8PQ

The meeting pack contains a report that recommends the Sub-Committee grant conditional planning permission and listed building consent for the demolition of a side extension and the erection of a new single family dwelling house at 31 Bloomfield Terrace. The proposals would see the existing plot of land at 31 Bloomfield Terrace divided to create a new self-contained property, 31A Bloomfield Terrace, whilst also carrying out internal and external alterations to the existing Grade II listed building at 31 Bloomfield Terrace. The applicant, 31 Bloomfield Ltd, has also applied for permission to install an air source heat pump. The proposal has been objected to by the Belgravia Society, the Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum and a number of local residents who consider the proposals harmful to the character and appearance of the Belgravia Conservation area, to the setting of the Grade II listed terrace and to the amenities of surrounding properties, in terms of the potential for overshadowing, loss of light, noise disturbance, and loss of privacy. The report explains that the proposal is acceptable in principle, as it would provide a good quality, family-sized home, increasing housing supply for the area. Further, the report explains that the proposed design would preserve the character and appearance of the Belgravia Conservation Area and would not harm the amenities of nearby residents. Finally, subject to recommended conditions regarding noise, arboricultural and flood risk mitigation, the proposals are considered acceptable in these regards, and therefore in accordance with the policies contained in the Belgravia Neighbourhood Plan, adopted March 2024, the City Plan 2019-2040 adopted April 2021 and the London Plan adopted March 2021.

13-14 Randolph Road, London, W9 1AN

The meeting pack contains an officer's report that recommends the Sub-Committee grant conditional planning permission and listed building consent for the excavation of a basement at 13-14 Randolph Road. The applicant wants to construct a swimming pool, a gym and other rooms at basement level, extending under the front lightwell and 50% of the rear garden. The proposals also include the installation of new plant equipment, a rear planter and other associated works. The applicant has submitted a number of supporting documents including a Construction Method Statement, a Flood Risk Assessment, an Arboricultural Method Statement and a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. The Little Venice Garden Amenity and a number of local residents have objected to the proposal on grounds of flood risk, noise disturbance, heritage impact, impact on trees and biodiversity, construction impact and non-compliance with the council's basement policy. The report explains that the application is acceptable in design and heritage terms and will not result in harm to the appearance of the building or the Maida Vale Conservation Area. With recommended conditions on flood risk measures, noise mitigation, tree protection and measures to protect biodiversity, the proposed basement is considered acceptable, and therefore in accordance with City Plan policies.

The Colonnades, 34 Porchester Square, London, W2 6AP

The meeting pack contains a report that recommends the Sub-Committee approve details of a plan for a pedestrian route to access the waste and recycling facilities for residents of The Colonnades at 34 Porchester Square. The submission follows a previous application for the approval of a different route, which was refused in February 2023. That previous route was refused because it did not provide a safe route, given the conflict with vehicles using the service yard. The current application proposes a route that would start from within Block 100 of The Colonnades. This would mean that residents in the other blocks of the development would have to exit their buildings and walk to Block 100. Councillor Matt Sullivan and a number of residents have objected to the proposed route on the grounds that it is not sufficiently unobstructed, safe, accessible, or convenient. The report acknowledges that the route is not segregated from vehicles using the service yard. However, having regard to the fact that the majority of residents’ waste and recycling is collected from outside their flats each day, the proposed route would not be used with great frequency. The report explains that it would be challenging to segregate the route and concludes that the proposed route meets the requirements of the relevant planning condition.

19 Berwick Street, London, W1F 0PX

The meeting pack contains an officer's report that recommends the Sub-Committee grant conditional planning permission for the dual or alternative use of the basement and ground floors of 19 Berwick Street as a restaurant/takeaway/drinking establishment (Sui Generis) and/or as a restaurant (Class E). The application is retrospective and follows an enforcement warning notice relating to the use of the premises. The report explains that the principle of the mixed-use is acceptable, as the site is within the West End Retail and Leisure Special Policy Area (WERLSPA). However, the report also sets out that the Soho Society has objected to the drinking establishment element of the proposed use, citing the potential harm to residential amenity. The applicant has submitted an Operational Management Plan (OMP) setting out opening hours and other measures relating to the operation of the unit to mitigate its impact on surrounding residents. The proposed hours are significantly earlier than those of many other businesses on Berwick Street. The report explains that the application is acceptable in terms of its impact on surrounding properties, and is therefore in accordance with City Plan 2019-2040 (April 2021) policies and the London Plan (March 2021).

15 - 17 Mercer Street, London, WC2H 9QJ

The meeting pack contains an officer's report that recommends the Sub-Committee grant conditional planning permission for the change of use of the ground floor and basement of 15-17 Mercer Street from a private members’ club to a drinking establishment with expanded food provision, with an ancillary kitchen at first floor. The applicant, B&T Seven Dials, also wants to construct a rear extension at basement level to provide additional toilets. The Covent Garden Community Association has objected to the proposals on the grounds that the premises are within a densely residential area and that noise from a drinking establishment could cause disturbance to surrounding residents. They have suggested a number of ways in which the application could be amended. A number of local residents have also objected on similar grounds. The applicant has submitted an Operational Management Plan and a Noise Impact Assessment, and the report explains that the applicant has met with local residents to discuss the proposals. The proposed hours of operation accord with the premises licence for the bar, which was granted at a meeting of the Licensing Committee in September 2024. The report explains that the proposed use would bring back into use a vacant unit, contributing to the local economy and to the evening and night-time economies of the West End. The report also explains that the development would not harm the character and appearance of the Covent Garden Conservation Area, and that it would not harm the amenities of neighbouring properties if an appropriate noise mitigation scheme were implemented. Subject to a number of conditions, the proposals are considered acceptable and in accordance with City Plan 2019-2040 (April 2021) policies and the London Plan (March 2021).