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Planning Applications Committee - Tuesday, 24th June, 2025 6.30 pm
June 24, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
The Planning Applications Committee of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on 24 June 2025, to discuss a range of planning and advertisement applications. The committee approved most applications, but refused an application to build a mansard roof extension at Palace Place Mansions due to fire safety concerns and its impact on the conservation area, and another for retrospective permission for window and door replacements at 17 South End due to the impact on the conservation area.
Here's a breakdown of the key discussions:
Sunningdale Gardens
Councillors approved an application to amalgamate two flats at 1 and 1A Sunningdale Gardens, reversing an unauthorised conversion. The planning officer's recommendation had been to refuse permission, but councillors voted to grant it.
Glenn Christon, the agent for the applicant, explained that the property had been a single family home since the 1970s, but a leasehold was created for the basement flat in 2015 due to the applicant's mother's financial and legal difficulties. He argued that the basement flat was substandard, with limited daylight and privacy, and prone to flooding.
Councillor Emma Dent Coad said that she found the agent's arguments about the basement flat unconvincing, as many people live in similar conditions. However, the planning officer stated that policy HA1 relates to amalgamations, and says that they may be granted in exceptional circumstances where both units are substandard. She said that in this case, officers considered both the basement flat and the flat above to be of an acceptable standard.
Despite the officer's recommendation, councillors voted to approve the application, citing the special circumstances of its ownership structure and its history as a single-family home. Councillor Anne Cyron proposed a motion to grant the application, which was seconded by Councillor Emma Dent Coad.
Palace Place Mansions
Councillors refused an application for a mansard roof extension to provide four new residential units at Palace Place Mansions.
Michael Bach, chair of the planning committee of the Kensington Society, spoke on behalf of residents of Palace Place Mansions, arguing that the application was misleading and designed to evade scrutiny, particularly regarding fire safety. He claimed that the applicant was trying to avoid triggering requirements for fire safety assessments by designing the top floor as a mezzanine, rather than a full story. He also raised concerns about the lack of an evacuation plan for elderly and disabled residents.
Charles Rose from City Planning, the planning agent for the application, said that the extension would provide high-quality residential apartments and that the scheme had been through two rounds of pre-application discussions with officers. He also stated that the proposal did not constitute a relevant building and therefore did not reach the criteria for planning gateway one1.
Councillor Emma Dent Coad raised concerns about fire safety, particularly regarding the open mezzanine and the single lift in the building. She said that she was unconvinced that the new homes would be safe. Councillor Anne Cyron also expressed discomfort with the application, questioning the definition of a story and whether the proposal was in line with policies intended to keep people safe.
Councillors voted to refuse the application, citing concerns about the design, the definition of a story, and the lack of adequate fire safety measures.
South End
Councillors refused a retrospective application for the replacement of garage doors and first-floor windows at 17 South End.
A representative of the objectors, Mrs. Liar Mannering, said that the application was extraordinary and dealt with unauthorised cosmetic changes, but did not deal with the unauthorised change of use of the garages to living quarters. She also argued that the metal windows were ugly and cheap, and not in accordance with the consolidated local plan.
The planning officer confirmed that both the planning officer and the enforcement officer had visited the site, but were not given access internally. She said that the application was for the external changes only, but that she could raise the issue of the change of use with the enforcement officer.
Councillor Emma Dent Coad asked about the materials used in the window frames, questioning whether they were UPVC or a wood composite. She said that she thought that the council should look into this, because they look very different and unworthy.
Councillors voted to refuse the application, citing the impact of the changes on the conservation area. They also requested that officers require enforcement to take action to investigate and deal with the unauthorised change of use.
Kensal House
Councillors approved an application from the council, as the applicant, for listed building consent for the replacement of flat entrance doors at Kensal House, to meet current fire regulations.
Holland Park
Councillors approved applications for planning permission and listed building consent for the installation of air source heat pump units at 67 Holland Park.
Councillor Anne Cyron asked whether planning permission was required for air heat pumps, given the net zero agenda. The planning officer said that there are instances where air source heat pumps can be installed without planning permission, usually under permitted development2, but that in this instance, planning permission was required because the building is listed.
Councillor Emma Dent Coad raised concerns about the noise levels of air heat pumps, but the planning officer said that the application was supported by a noise report and that conditions would be put in place to control the noise.
Westbourne Grove
Councillors approved an application to vary conditions relating to an earlier planning permission at 202-204 Westbourne Grove. The application sought to vary conditions relating to an acoustic report, a code of construction, a tree survey, tree protection and landscaping, and pollinators.
Fiona Fleming Brown, chair of the Pembridge Association, said that her organisation's objections were focused on the proposed changes creating noise and nuisance to residents. She said that she was pleased that the officer's report proposed a series of conditions that met all of their objections.
Victoria Gardens
Councillors approved an application for the creation of a roof terrace at 21 Victoria Gardens.
Queensdale Walk
Councillors approved an application for the installation of an air source heat pump in the rear garden of 8 Queensdale Walk.
Councillor Anne Cyron asked whether planning permission was required, and the planning officer said that it was because it was an air conditioning unit, rather than an air source heat pump, and because it was too close to the boundary.
Phene Arms
Councillors approved an application to replace a timber shed with a metal-clad insulated unit at the Feeney Arms, with one vote against.
Cheyne Walk
Councillors approved an advertisement application for the replacement of LED digital displays and timber fencing with smaller displays and a living wall at 106 Cheyne Walk, with one vote against.
Oakley House
Councillors approved an application for a change of use of a car park to create two class E units3 at Oakley House.
Treadgold House
Councillors approved an application to discharge a condition relating to an entrance door and canopy at Treadgold House.
Earl's Court Square
A report relating to enforcement action at 24 Earl's Court Square was withdrawn from the agenda.
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Planning Gateway One is a stage in the planning process for high-rise residential buildings, ensuring that fire safety is considered at the earliest stages of planning. ↩
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Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without the need for explicit planning permission. ↩
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Class E is a use class in the UK planning system that includes a variety of commercial uses, such as retail, offices, restaurants, and gyms. ↩
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