The Strategic Planning Committee of Westminster Council met on 15 April 2025 to discuss planning applications. The committee voted to enter into a Heritage Partnership Agreement with the Howard de Walden Estate and granted conditional permission for alterations to external plant equipment at West End House, 91 - 92 Dean Street.

Howard de Walden Estate Heritage Partnership Agreement

The committee voted to enter into a Heritage Partnership Agreement (HPA) with the Howard de Walden Estate. This agreement covers 311 listed buildings within the 95-acre estate and aims to streamline the process for undertaking routine alterations and maintenance.

The HPA will allow the Howard de Walden Estate to conduct the following works across its properties without needing to apply for individual listed building consents¹:

• Fireproofing of doors and floors
• Window repairs and secondary glazing
• Damp proofing to vaults
• Floor insulation
• Facade cleaning
• Gutter repairs and minor alterations
• Plaster repairs
• Horizontal servicing routes

The HPA is a legal agreement between the Howard de Walden Estate, Westminster City Council, and Historic England. It is proposed to last for 10 years, with reviews at intervals specified in the agreement.

The report notes that the buildings within the Howard de Walden Estate are predominantly of traditional construction, dating back to the early 18th century, and are located within the Harley Street Conservation Area. The report states that:

The proposed works are appropriately sensitive to the significance of the buildings as designated heritage assets and where they affect their exteriors they will also maintain the character and appearance of the surrounding conservation area. As such they meet the statutory tests set out above and accord with City Plan policies 38, 39, and 40.

The committee had previously agreed to publish the draft Heritage Partnership Agreement for formal consultation at a meeting on 21 January 2025². Following the consultation, where no objections were received, the committee voted to formally enter into the agreement.

West End House, 91 - 92 Dean Street

The committee granted conditional permission for a variation of condition 1 of a previous planning permission (RN: 21/04390/FULL) for West End House, 91 - 92 Dean Street, London, W1D 3SY. The original permission was for the demolition and redevelopment of the site to create a hostel with between 725 and 775 bedspaces, and a healthcare clinic with an ancillary cafe.

The variation was sought to enable alterations to external plant equipment at the third floor and roof level, including amendments to visual screens and acoustic louvre enclosures, relocation of the boiler flue, omission of a pizza flue, and omission of the guest roof terrace.

The report notes that strong objections were received to the increased height and massing of the additional louvred screens, with objectors believing that the increased height amounts to an additional storey. However, the report states that the additional massing relates to an open plant area rather than a new floor, and that the original description of development includes reference to rooftop plant.

The report also notes that the proposed plant and screening covers a larger area than the approved scheme, and that the screening is also higher in places than that previously approved. However, the report states that the screening is neat and its light-grey finish has a neutral visual impact, and that the plant is essential for the building to function and it is necessary to provide it with visual screening.

The committee agreed to grant conditional permission, subject to a deed of variation to the legal agreement dated 27 July 2022 to secure the following:

• A payment of £145,156 to support the Westminster Employment Service
• A payment of £134,725 to the City Council's Carbon Offset Fund
• To secure the retention of the medical space
• Monitoring costs