The Planning Committee of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026. The committee considered two planning applications.

Finborough Road Redevelopment

The committee considered a proposal for the change of use of 188-190 Finborough Road from a hostel to a residential institution to facilitate self-contained supported accommodation units. The proposal included internal reconfigurations and external alterations. The existing building was noted as a negative feature within The Boltons Conservation Area, but the proposed works were deemed to have a neutral to marginally positive impact. Concerns regarding accessibility for residents with limited mobility were addressed, with two wheelchair-accessible units included and ramped access to communal areas. The proposal was found to comply with relevant local and London Plan policies, with limited conflicts regarding energy methodology and parking provision outweighed by the significant public benefits of providing supported housing. The committee approved the application.

Newcombe House Redevelopment Amendments

The committee considered amendments to the major redevelopment project at Newcombe House, Land at 43-45 and 39-41 Notting Hill Gate and 161-237 (odd) Kensington Church Street. This application, made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act, sought to vary conditions related to approved drawings, including changes to basement levels, floor space areas, facades, roofs, and a reduction in the clear height of the service yard. The approved amendments, which are part-retrospective, were deemed not to fundamentally alter the development permitted in 2024.

Key discussions and decisions included:

• Land Use: The mix of office, retail, residential, and medical uses was deemed acceptable. A further reduction in retail floorspace was noted but considered acceptable given the town centre location and activation of ground floor frontages.
• Affordable Housing: The provision of eight affordable homes at social rent levels was welcomed, although a net loss of 12 units compared to the original permission was acknowledged.
• Urban Design: While some proposed amendments, such as the flattening of the Newcombe House Tower's facades and the design of projecting balconies, were considered to diminish the design quality compared to the original permission, the overall architectural language and scale were deemed acceptable. Concerns were raised about the appearance of rooftop plant enclosures and the omission of windows in residential bathrooms.
• Heritage: The application was found to cause very minor harm to the Ladbroke and Pembridge Conservation Areas, and minor harm to the Kensington Conservation Area. However, these harms were outweighed by the substantial public benefits of the development, including enhanced office and retail space, job creation, a new medical centre, affordable housing, and improved public realm.
• Service Yard Height Reduction: A significant point of contention was the reduction in the service yard's clear height from 4.5m to 4m. This change would prevent standard refuse vehicles from operating within the yard, leading to concerns about traffic congestion and pedestrian safety on Newcombe Street and Kensington Place. A condition was imposed requiring a detailed Delivery and Servicing Management Plan to ensure all office waste collection occurs within the site boundary.
• Medical Centre Delivery: The delivery of the medical centre, a key public benefit, was discussed extensively. While the NHS has indicated support and a business plan sign-off is anticipated, concerns were raised about potential delays. The Section 106 agreement was amended to include robust safeguards for the delivery of the medical centre or an alternative scheme of additional affordable housing and commercial floorspace.
• Transport: The development was considered acceptable in transport terms, supporting sustainable modes of transport. The removal of a requirement for electric vehicle charging points for disabled bays on Newcombe Street was accepted due to limited highway space, while EV charging for servicing bays was retained. The shortfall in short-stay cycle parking was also deemed acceptable.

The committee approved the application subject to updated conditions and the satisfactory completion of a Deed of Variation to the Section 106 legal agreement.