The Kensington and Chelsea Planning Applications Committee met to discuss a range of planning and listed building applications, primarily concerning retrospective consents and condition discharges. Decisions were made on alterations to the Kensington Roof Gardens, a basement development on Holland Park Road, and various other properties within the borough.

Kensington Roof Gardens Applications

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to multiple applications concerning the Kensington Roof Gardens, addressing unauthorised works and proposed alterations.

Sun Pavilion Alterations

The committee approved retrospective planning permission and listed building consent for variations to the Sun Pavilion, despite concerns raised by the Kensington Square Residents Association regarding noise and disturbance to neighbouring properties. The applicant, represented by Rob Chichester, a chartered town planner and director at C2J, stated that the variations were minor and the result of technical issues that arose during the £60 million restoration project.

Councillor Aarien Areti raised concerns about the retrospective nature of the application, describing it as an attitude of I'll build and then we'll deal with it later.

The committee ultimately approved the application, with Councillor James Husband, Chair of the Planning Committee, noting that the operational aspects of the premises were already covered by existing permissions and licensing regulations.

Fifth Floor Internal Alterations

The committee approved a retrospective application for internal alterations to the fifth floor of the building, despite objections from Mr Sterling, representing the Kensington Square Residents Association, who argued that the works would lead to an intensification of the club's use and cause external disturbance.

Dully's Villa (Esme's) Alterations

The committee approved planning permission and listed building consent for external and internal alterations to Dully's Villa, also known as Esme's, in the Woodland Gardens, including the retention of air conditioning units. As part of the approval, the committee stipulated that an updated operational management plan (OMP) be submitted to address noise concerns.

Spanish and Woodland Gardens

The committee considered a pair of applications relating to the Spanish and Woodland Gardens, which were recommended for refusal due to unauthorised works. These works included marble staircases, timber decks, and a bar erected in the Cobble Court, with the architectural well having been dismantled and cast aside.

Mr Chichester, representing the applicant, requested that the applications be deferred to allow for further discussions with officers. Mr Sterling, representing the objectors, described the works as vandalism and called for the gardens to be reinstated to their original condition.

Ultimately, the committee voted to refuse the application based on the extent of decking in the Spanish Garden, with Councillor Walaa Idris voting against the refusal.

84 Abingdon Villas

Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee, took the chair for this item, due to having previously objected to the site's licensing application. The committee unanimously approved planning permission for alterations to the shopfront cafe at 84 Abingdon Villas, involving changes to the style of fenestration¹.

7A Holland Park Road

The committee considered an application to discharge conditions related to contaminated land at 7A Holland Park Road. The applicant, Ragda Hassan, argued that the onerous conditions were disproportionate to the low risk of contamination at the property.

The committee voted to discharge condition 10, but initially leaned towards upholding the officer's recommendation to refuse the discharge of conditions 11, 12 and 13. However, following further discussion, the committee voted to discharge these conditions as well, effectively overturning the officer's recommendation.

23 Campden Hill Square

The committee considered an application for the approval of details related to materials, landscaping, and other elements at 23 Campden Hill Square. Neighbours raised concerns about privacy due to the proposed roof terrace.

After hearing from both the objectors and the applicant, the committee voted to approve the discharge of all three conditions, with Councillor Kasim Ali dissenting.

Other Matters

The committee also approved the following applications:

• Replacement windows at 39 Kempsford Gardens.
• Continued display of advertisements at Kingsgate House, 536 King's Road.
• Replacement windows at Allom House, Clarendon Road.
• Installation of a handrail at 23-24 Tadema Road.
• Installation of a handrail at 25 Tadema Road.