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Planning Committee - Tuesday, 1st July, 2025 6.30 pm

July 1, 2025 View on council website  Watch video of meeting or read trancript
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Summary

The Kensington and Chelsea Planning Committee met to discuss a single planning application for the redevelopment of Eldon House, located at 90 Sloane Avenue. The committee approved the application, which involves demolishing the existing five-storey building and constructing a six-storey building with retail space and 24 residential units, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement1.

Eldon House Redevelopment

The committee approved the application for the demolition of the existing five-storey Eldon House and the erection of a six-storey building. The new building will include retail space on the ground and basement levels, with 24 residential homes on the upper floors.

Fiona Ray and Julia Dravitzky presented the plans, highlighting that the development site is a wedge-shaped corner plot bounded by Sloane Avenue, Brompton Road, and Dracott Avenue. The proposal includes a green roof, plant, and photovoltaic (PV) equipment. The planning officers recommended granting permission, subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

The committee noted that the new development would increase the number of homes on the site from 20 to 24, and that the location has good access to public transport.

Councillor Toby Benton raised concerns about the lack of affordable housing and payments in lieu, referencing the responses to objections in the report. Officers clarified that an independent assessor scrutinised the applicant's viability assessment and concluded that no affordable housing contribution was viable. However, an early and late stage review mechanism would be included in the legal agreement to capture any additional contributions towards affordable housing in the borough if the financial situation of the development improves.

Councillor Sarran sought more detail on how the review mechanism for affordable housing would work, and asked about public art contributions. Officers explained that the review would be triggered at early and late stages of the development to capture real sales values and that the definition of public art had been widened to include a culture plan. Given the site constraints, a financial contribution towards cultural activities within the borough would be secured, overseen by the council's culture team and the community.

Councillor Aarien Areti asked about parking permits for the new residential units. Officers confirmed that the additional four units would be permit-free, and a site flow plan would be included in the legal agreement to specify which units would be permit-free.

Councillor James Husband, Chair of the Planning Committee, noted that the existing building was not visually appealing and that the uplift in homes was significant. He also acknowledged the impact on neighbouring properties' windows but considered the overall planning balance acceptable. Councillor Benton emphasised the importance of the methodology and triggers for the early and late review mechanism.

The committee voted to approve the recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and the completion of the Section 106 agreement by the end of October.

Daylight and Sunlight Assessment

Councillor Benton sought reassurance that the loss of light to neighbouring properties was within acceptable standards. Officers acknowledged that two properties, 128 and 130 Dracott Avenue, would be affected above the Building Research Establishment (BRE) guidance2. However, they stated that the impact would not warrant refusal, given the context of the site and the presence of other windows in those properties.


  1. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between a local planning authority and a developer, ensuring that certain contributions are made to mitigate the impact of a development on the community and infrastructure. 

  2. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) provides guidance on daylight and sunlight assessments for new developments, setting out recommended levels of daylight and sunlight that should be achieved in existing and proposed buildings. 

Attendees

Profile image for Cllr Aarien Areti
Cllr Aarien Areti  Conservative Party •  Holland
Profile image for Cllr Toby Benton
Cllr Toby Benton  (Vice-Chair, Licensing Committee, Family Services Spokesperson ) •  Labour Party •  Colville
Profile image for Cllr Anne Cyron
Cllr Anne Cyron  (Vice Chair, Adult Social Care & Health Select Committee, Vice-Chair, Planning Applications Committee) •  Conservative Party •  Abingdon
Profile image for Cllr James Husband
Cllr James Husband  (Chair, Planning Committee and Planning Applications Committee) •  Conservative Party •  Abingdon
Profile image for Cllr Will Lane
Cllr Will Lane  (Mayor) •  Conservative Party •  Queen's Gate
Hazel Salisbury

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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