The Planning Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council convened to consider a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and make decisions on two planning applications. Councillor Sara Hassan, Deputy Cabinet Member - Equalities and Skills and Lead Member - Women and Girls' Champion, was scheduled to chair the meeting. The committee was expected to discuss a TPO for trees at Essendine Mansions, and planning applications for Passage House and 36 Albemarle Street.

Passage House, 1-5 Longmoore Street

The committee was scheduled to consider a request to vary a condition and remove several others related to a 1997 planning permission (RN: 96/06832/FULL) for Passage House, a hostel¹ for homeless people. Passage 2000, the applicant, sought to extend the hostel's operation for another 30 years and remove what they described as time-sensitive or redundant conditions.

The report pack noted that the key issues for consideration were the acceptability of the proposal in land use terms, and the impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties.

According to the report pack, objections had been received from 12 neighbouring occupiers, citing concerns such as noise disturbance, antisocial behaviour, street disorder, and safety issues related to drug and alcohol use. Some objectors felt the building was unsuitable for use as a hostel due to a lack of social areas or garden space. There were also concerns about the removal of management conditions, and the adequacy of the complaints procedure.

Three letters of support were reportedly received, including one from Westminster Abbey, highlighting the project's success in helping homeless individuals resettle.

The report pack stated that the Director of Town Planning & Building Control recommended granting conditional permission, arguing that the continued use of the site as a hostel was critical to the council's commitment to tackling homelessness, in accordance with London Plan Policy H12, City Plan Policy 10, and the council's Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy (2025-2030). The report pack also noted that the initial 30-year temporary period for the use was imposed solely at the applicant's request, and not sought by the council.

Ground Floor, 36 Albemarle Street

The committee was scheduled to review a retrospective application (RN: 24/08979/FULL) from Omakase Mayfair Ltd for the installation of external metal security shutters to the shopfront of their premises at 36 Albemarle Street.

The report pack stated that the key consideration was the impact of the shopfront on the character and appearance of the Mayfair Conservation Area. The report pack noted that the council's Shopfronts, Blinds and Signs SPG² does not support roller shutters, as they can detract from the architectural integrity of a building.

The Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum reportedly objected to the solid nature of the roller shutter. The applicant had suggested recessing the shutter box, but the report pack stated that this was not sufficient to overcome the design objections.

The report pack stated that the Director of Town Planning & Building Control recommended refusing planning permission, citing non-compliance with Policies 38, 39 and 40 of the City Plan, MD1 and MD3 of the Mayfair Neighbourhood Plan Policies, and the Shopfronts, Blinds and Signs SPG.

The report pack also noted that Councillor Lilley had written in support of the application and requested it be heard at the Planning Sub-Committee.

Tree Preservation Order No. 723 - Essendine Mansions, Essendine Road, W9

The committee was scheduled to consider whether to confirm Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No. 723 (2025) for trees at Essendine Mansions. The TPO was provisionally made on 4 June 2025 to protect one oak and one sycamore tree (T1 and T2) at the rear of the property.

The report pack stated that the TPO was made following receipt of notice of intent to remove the trees, with the reason given being alleged subsidence damage to properties at 34-48 Essendine Mansions. The trees are protected due to their location within the Maida Vale conservation area.

According to the report pack, an objection to the TPO was received from the owner of Flat 38, Essendine Mansions, on the grounds that the trees were causing major, ongoing subsidence to the building. The objector claimed that damage started occurring 15 months prior, following drain repairs that removed the water source from the trees.

The City Council's Arboricultural Officer responded to the objection, stating that while site investigations found shrinkable clay soil beneath the foundations and roots identified as Acer spp. (sycamore) to a depth of 100mm beneath the underside of the foundation, no oak roots were found. The Arboricultural Officer also noted that the location of one borehole was not given, and the extent and timings of drain repairs were not included in the technical evidence.

The report pack stated that the Arboricultural Officer concluded that insufficient evidence had been submitted to confirm that the trees were the cause of the movement and that tree removal was the appropriate remedy.