Here is a summary of the upcoming Planning Applications Committee meeting. The committee, including Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, Chair of the Audit & Transparency Committee, Vice-Chair, Planning Committee & Planning Applications Committee, will be reviewing a number of planning applications, with a focus on preserving the character of the borough and ensuring good living conditions for residents. Several applications have received objections and will be discussed in detail.

Planning Applications for Notting Hill Gate and Kensington High Street

The committee will be looking at reports regarding applications from BT Telecommunications PLC, with Mr Allan Dalcour Maclaren as the agent, to replace existing InLink units with Street Hub 3 units at two locations: Pavement outside 50 Notting Hill Gate, and Pavement North side of Kensington High Street o/s Troy Court / Post Office. The proposals involve removing the existing InLink Units and replacing them with Street Hub 3 units, which include two 75-inch LCD display screens for advertisements.

The reports indicate that the proposed replacements are considered acceptable because they would replace similar devices in the same locations, and would comply with the Local Plan 2024 policies regarding conservation areas, general townscape, living conditions, and streetscape impact. However, both applications have received objections, including from the Kensington Society and the Pembridge Association, mainly concerning the impact on the streetscape, the lack of public benefit, and the increased width of the units. The reports note that conditions are recommended to address concerns about brightness and to ensure the safety and free flow of pedestrian and transport traffic.

Retrospective Application for 156 Campden Hill Road

The committee will consider a report regarding a retrospective planning application for Ground/first Floor Flat, 156 Campden Hill Road. The application from Ms H Nicholson, with Mrs D Kukadia of DORIN & COPPEL as the agent, seeks permission for the removal of three existing air conditioning units at roof level, the proposed installation of an air conditioning system with external condenser units and acoustic enclosures at roof level, and additional brick layers to the rear parapet at ground floor level to accommodate a new damp proof membrane.

The report states that the development is located at the rear elevation and at roof level, which are mostly obscure and do not cause material harm to the building, the Kensington Conservation Area, or surrounding neighbours. The report also notes that the application is compliant with policies CD1, CD2, CD4, CD9, CD10, CD15, and GB8 of the Local Plan 2024. However, the application has received objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.

Extension and Alterations at 19 Phillimore Place

The committee will be reviewing a report for planning permission sought by Mr & Mrs Sayeed, with Miss Allen of Oliver Morgan Architects as the agent, for extensions to the rear lower ground and ground floor, and other rear elevation alterations at 19 Phillimore Place.

The report notes that the proposals would continue to preserve the character, appearance and significance of the building and the Kensington Conservation Area, and would have an acceptable impact on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, subject to conditions. The proposals are said to be in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD6, CD9, CD10, CD13, CD15, and CD16 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised. The building has a blue plaque commemorating Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows.

Basement, Roof Extension and Alterations at 95 Lansdowne Road

The committee will be considering a report regarding an application from Mrs P Mercer, with Miss M Decoster of Echlin as the agent, for a basement level, roof extension, alterations to elevations, alterations and extension within the lower ground floor front garden, improvement to soft landscaping, and alterations to internal layouts at 95 Lansdowne Road.

The report states that, subject to conditions, the proposals would continue to preserve the character, appearance and significance of the building, terrace group and wider Ladbroke Conservation Area, and would have an acceptable impact on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers. The proposals are said to be in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD7, CD9, CD10, CD11, CD12, CD13, CD15, CD16, GB7, GB10, GB11, GB12, GB16 and GB18 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received a large number of objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.

Bin Store Installation at 10-11 Pembridge Square

The committee will be reviewing reports regarding applications from Inspired Educational Group, with Mrs C Ellis of C-Space Architects as the agent, for the installation of new bin stores to the front of the property at 10-11 Pembridge Square, to house school bins. The property is a Grade II listed building within the Pembridge Conservation Area, overlooking Pembridge Square, a registered listed garden.

The report notes that the proposal would result in a visual improvement to the site by removing and organising the existing clutter, and would preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building and the character of the conservation area. The proposals are said to be in accordance with policies GB17(K), CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD10 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.

Underpass Construction between Imperial White City Campus and Latimer Road

The committee will be considering a report regarding an application from Imperial College Thinkspace Limited, with Amelia Johnson of DP9 as the agent, for the construction of a new underpass between Imperial White City Campus and Latimer Road. The site is within both the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

The report notes that, subject to conditions, the proposals would have an acceptable impact on the surrounding streets and transport networks, trees, living conditions of surrounding occupiers, and the design and appearance of Latimer Road. The proposals are said to be in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD7, CD9, CD10, CD11, CD12, CD13, CD15, CD16, GB7, GB10, GB11, GB12, GB16 and GB18 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.

Demolition and Rebuild at 68 Kensington Park Road

The committee will be reviewing a report regarding an application from Nordstrom, with Mr Brown of Studio Three as the agent, for the demolition of a three-storey rear closet wing and erection of a replacement five-storey extension, infill extension, and external works at 68 Kensington Park Road.

The report notes that the proposals would continue to preserve the character, appearance and significance of the property and wider Ladbroke Conservation Area, and would continue to ensure good living conditions for all neighbouring occupiers, subject to conditions. The proposals are said to be in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD4, CD9, CD10, CD13 and CD15 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.

Demolition and Rebuild at 38 Smith Terrace

The committee will be considering a report regarding an application from P Dykes, with Mrs A Thomson of ADL Planning Pty Ltd as the agent, for the demolition and rebuild of a dwellinghouse behind a retained façade, extension of the lower ground floor, creation of a partial basement level, erection of a single storey infill addition, and a redesigned mansard roof at 38 Smith Terrace.

The report notes that, subject to conditions, the proposals would continue to preserve the character, appearance and significance of the building, wider terrace and Royal Hospital Conservation Area, and ensure good living conditions for neighbouring occupants. The proposals are said to be in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD9, CD10, CD11, CD12, CD13, CD15, CD16, GB7, GB8, GB10, GB11, GB12, GB16 and GB18 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.

Handrail Installation at 44 Lots Road

The committee will be reviewing a report regarding an application from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with Mr V Noel as the agent, for the installation of two black glossed external galvanised steel handrails at 44 Lots Road.

The report notes that the proposed handrails would be appropriate in design, form and scale, and would preserve the character, appearance and significance of the Lots Village Conservation Area, in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD10 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received a comment, and the report indicates that a condition is recommended to ensure the existing handrails are retained.

Basement, Alterations and Roof Terrace at 16 Lennox Gardens Mews

The committee will be considering a report regarding an application from Mr & Mrs Miliotes, with Mr Hay of House of Design Architects as the agent, for the excavation of a single-storey basement, conversion of a garage to internal living space, reconstruction of a mansard roof to incorporate a roof terrace, and addition of plant at roof level at 16 Lennox Gardens Mews.

The report notes that the proposals would continue to preserve the character, appearance and significance of the property and wider Hans Town Conservation Area, and would continue to ensure good living conditions for all neighbouring occupiers, subject to conditions. The proposals are said to be in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD9, CD10, CD11, CD12, CD15, CD16, GB7, GB8, GB10, GB11, GB12 and TR6 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.

Extensions at 14 Lennox Gardens

The committee will be reviewing a report regarding an application from Abou Arab, with Miss Barnard of Maddox Planning as the agent, for an extension into a lightwell at lower ground and ground floor levels, first, second, third and fourth floor rear extensions, an extension to the roof, and associated internal alterations at 14 Lennox Gardens.

The report notes that the proposed external alterations and additions would preserve the character, appearance and significance of the conservation area, and the development would have an acceptable impact on neighbouring living conditions, subject to conditions. The proposals are said to be in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD9, CD10, CD11, CD12, CD13, CD15, CD16, GB7, GB8, GB10, GB11 and GB12 of the Local Plan 2024. The application has received objections, and the report indicates that conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.