The Kensington and Chelsea Planning Applications Committee met on 22 April 2025, and approved applications for air conditioning units, building work and a scaffold shroud, but refused permission for the amalgamation of properties in Pembridge Square. The committee Vice-Chair was Councillor Anne Cyron, Vice Chair, Adult Social Care & Health Select Committee, Vice-Chair, Planning Applications Committee.

Loss of Housing Stock at 24 Pembridge Square

The committee considered an application PP/24/05044 and LB/24/05045 for the amalgamation and reconfiguration of 23 existing flats, 2 bedsits, 2 stores and communal areas to create 7 self-contained flats at 24 Pembridge Square. The application also included the demolition of an existing five-storey rear outrigger extension and replacement with a two-storey rear outrigger extension with roof terrace, works to roof and rear mansard extension, rear infill extension; rear square bay extension; and associated external and internal alterations.

The committee voted to refuse both the planning permission and listed building consent.

The reasons for refusal included that the proposed amalgamations and reconfigurations would result in the net loss of 17 residential homes, diminishing the existing housing stock within the borough, contrary to policy HO1 of the Local Plan 2024, and H1 and H8 of the London Plan 2021. The committee also noted that the proposed flats (with the exception of the studios) were significantly above the minimum space standards set by the London Plan and nationally described space standards, and as such, the proposals were unacceptable and would fail to optimise the housing potential on site as required by policies HO1, HO3 and CD1 of the Local Plan 2024 and policy D3 of the London Plan 2021.

The committee agreed with the planning officer's report that the proposed studio flats, by reason of their insufficient gross internal areas (GIA), would fall well below the minimum space standards set by policy D6 of the London Plan (2021) and the technical housing standards - nationally described space standards, and as such, the proposals would result in a cramped and poor quality form of residential accommodation to the detriment of the living conditions of future occupiers, contrary to Policy D6 of the London Plan 2021 and Policy HO4 of the Local Plan 2024.

The committee also found that the proposed rear extensions, mansard extension and roof void would cause less than substantial harm to the listed building, without providing sufficient public benefit to outweigh the harm, and as such, the proposal fails to preserve or enhance the special architectural and historic interest, character, significance and setting of the Grade II Listed Building and its neighbouring buildings as well as those of the Pembridge Conservation Area, contrary to Local Plan 2024 policies, CD1, CD2, CD4, CD5, CD10, CD11, CD12 and CD15 and the NPPF (2024).

Finally, the committee found that the proposal failed to demonstrate that the proposed plant would ensure good living conditions to the occupiers of nearby properties in terms of noise and vibration levels, and that the proposals failed to comply with Local Plan 2024 Policy GB5, as there was a lack of detailed information confirming that consideration has been given to the implications of overheating and that passive measures may have been considered instead of reliance on the type of plant equipment being proposed as part of this development.

Change of Use at 45 Ledbury Road

The committee considered an application PP/24/07070 for a change of use from bar/restaurant to restaurant and Private Members' Club with associated alterations at 45 Ledbury Road.

The committee voted to grant planning permission with amendments to the conditions listed in Section 8 of the report, as amended by the addendum report, with an amended Condition 14, and additional conditions and informative.

The committee voted to amend Condition 14 to state that prior to occupation of the development, a revised operational Management Strategy (OMS) would be submitted. The committee also voted to add Condition 17, that music, musical instruments, loudspeakers and operational noise shall not be materially audible outside the premises, as defined by the criteria set out within the Councils Noise Supplementary Planning Document (2009), clauses 8.6 and 8.7, and Condition 18, that notwithstanding the drawings in Condition 2, the dormer windows hereby approved shall be obscurely glazed, and shall be so maintained. The committee also voted to add Informative 6, that the Operational Management Plan requested under condition 14 is required to be determined by Planning Applications Committee should an application to discharge this condition come forward.

Building Works at 42 Tregunter Road

The committee considered an application PP/25/00529 for an enlargement of rear and side extension, re-build and enlargement to dormer and rooflight on rear north elevation, installation of rooflight on south side elevation, internal refurbishment and replacement windows and rear external doors, relocation of lightwell in rear garden, and construction of garden room in rear garden at 42 Tregunter Road.

The committee voted to grant planning permission with amendments to the conditions listed in Section 9 of the report, with amended Condition 9 and the additional conditions. Councillors Sonia Zvedeniuk and Roberto Weeden-Sanz dissented.

The committee voted to amend Condition 9 (Code of Construction Practice), and to add Condition 11 (submission of Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP)), and Condition 12 (submission of Planning Fire Safety Strategy).

Other Matters

The committee also:

• Granted planning permission for the installation of two external air conditioning condenser units to the mansard roof at 71 Blenheim Crescent PP/24/08552.
• Granted planning permission for the installation of insulation within cavities of external wall, replacement of all windows and doors with composite double-glazed units, second row of painted steel handrails to terrace, installation of guardrails on all roofs, and waterproofing repair work at 1-24 Broadwood Terrace, 78 Pembroke Road, Depot, 37 Pembroke Road, 1-92 Chesterton Square PP/24/05494.
• Granted planning permission for demolition and alterations to front boundary wall; restoration and replacement of front stucco features and finishes; creation of one roof light; enlargement of rear windows at lower ground floor and ground floor levels; and alterations to front courtyard layout at 49 Scarsdale Villas PP/25/00939.
• Granted planning permission for the excavation of a single-storey basement; refurbishment of existing building along with a replacement single-storey ground floor rear extension and associated terrace and screening; installation of air source heat pumps; and associated landscaping at 17 Chepstow Crescent PP/25/00524, with Councillor Roberto Weeden-Sanz dissenting.
• Granted advertisement consent for the installation of externally illuminated temporary decorative scaffold shroud comprising a 1:1 image of the building facade with an inset area for advertising and information measuring 13 x 6.75m, for a period of 8 months commencing 1 July 2025 at 152-154 Cromwell Road CA/25/00725, with Councillors Sonia Zvedeniuk and Roberto Weeden-Sanz dissenting.