The Planning Committee of Kensington and Chelsea Council is scheduled to consider two significant planning applications. The first concerns a proposal for supported housing at 188-190 Finborough Road, SW10, while the second involves proposed amendments to a major mixed-use redevelopment at Notting Hill Gate and Kensington Church Street.

188-190 Finborough Road, London, SW10 9BA

The committee is scheduled to review a report concerning the property at 188-190 Finborough Road, London, SW10 9BA. The proposal involves a change of use from a hostel (Use Class Sui Generis) to a residential institution (Use Class C2). This would facilitate the creation of self-contained supported accommodation units, alongside external alterations, landscaping, and the installation of external plant and PV panels. The report indicates that this change of use is supported by Local Plan Policy HO5 and London Plan Policy H12, as it aims to meet an identified need for supported housing within the borough. The proposal would also involve refurbishment and internal reconfiguration of the building, with the aim of improving living conditions for residents and the environmental performance of the building. The report notes that the existing building has a negative impact on The Boltons Conservation Area, and the proposed changes are expected to have a neutral to marginally positive impact on its character and appearance. Subject to conditions and financial contributions secured through a Unilateral Undertaking, the proposal is considered to have an acceptable impact on neighbouring amenity, green infrastructure, energy and sustainability, local environmental impacts, and the highway network. The report highlights potential conflicts with Local Plan Policy GB4 regarding the energy methodology and London Plan Policy T6 concerning car-free development, but states that limited weight is attached to these conflicts due to the overall planning benefits. The proposal is recommended for approval.

Land at 43-45 and 39-41 Notting Hill Gate and 161-237 (odd) Kensington Church Street, London, W11 3LQ

A significant report is scheduled for discussion regarding the land at 43-45 and 39-41 Notting Hill Gate and 161-237 (odd) Kensington Church Street, London, W11 3LQ. This application, made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, seeks variations to Condition 2 of a previous planning permission (PP/23/03534) for a major mixed-use redevelopment. The proposed amendments relate to the position and extent of basement levels, Gross Internal Areas (GIAs) and Gross External Areas (GEAs) for office, retail, residential, and medical centre floorspace, as well as alterations to the façades and roofs of various buildings including Newcombe House Tower, the linking building, the Kensington Church Street Block, and the Medical Centre/Housing Block. A reduction in the clear height of the Service Yard is also proposed. The report indicates that these changes have arisen from the progression to detailed design and consideration of aesthetics, as well as corrections to plan errors. The proposed alterations are assessed as not fundamentally altering the development permitted by the previous permission and are considered acceptable in land use terms. The report notes a further reduction in retail floorspace compared to the previous permission but concludes this would not harm the town centre's vitality. The proposed Medical Centre floorspace, supported by the NHS, is highlighted as a valuable community use. The eight affordable homes at social rent levels are also noted as a welcome contribution. The report details proposed changes to the building designs, including adjustments to facades, roofs, and basement layouts, and discusses their impact on townscape, heritage assets, and living conditions. The proposals are considered acceptable in transport terms, supporting sustainable travel and providing necessary parking and servicing arrangements. Environmental standards related to energy, climate change, green infrastructure, water, air quality, and contamination are also addressed. The report acknowledges departures from certain development plan policies, particularly concerning heritage assets, but concludes that the substantial public benefits of the development, including enhanced office and retail space, employment opportunities, the medical centre, affordable housing, and public realm improvements, outweigh the identified harms. The application is recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the completion of a Deed of Variation to the Section 106 legal agreement.