The Planning Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council was scheduled to discuss a Tree Preservation Order for a London plane tree at 51 Hamilton Terrace and several planning applications. These applications included proposals for office use at 21, 23-25 Charles Lane, the relocation of air conditioning units at 113-115 Gloucester Terrace, and extensions to a garden studio at 14A Caroline Terrace for use as a residential dwelling.

Tree Preservation Order No. 717 - 51 Hamilton Terrace

The committee was scheduled to consider Tree Preservation Order No. 717 (2025), which was provisionally made to protect a single London plane tree located in the rear garden of 51 Hamilton Terrace. The order was made following a notification of intent to remove the tree, which is situated within the St John's Wood Conservation Area. The reason provided for the proposed removal was that the tree was touching an outbuilding. An objection to the order was received from the property owner, who cited concerns about potential structural damage to the outbuilding. The report detailed correspondence between the property owner's architects, David Morley Architects, and the City Council's Arboricultural Officer, outlining arguments regarding the tree's proximity to the building and the need for evidence of damage or inability to modify the building. The committee was to decide whether to confirm the Tree Preservation Order with or without modification, or not to confirm it.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to consider three planning applications:

21, 23-25 Charles Lane, London, NW8 7SB

This application sought permission for the change of use of the buildings at 21, 23-25 Charles Lane from their current uses (car storage and residential garage) to offices (Class E). The proposals also included the creation of a garden area, landscaping, alterations to the buildings' fenestration, and the installation of plant machinery, including an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). Several objections were received from neighbours, primarily concerning the impact of an office use on the amenity of the predominantly residential lane, potential noise and disturbance, traffic, and construction impacts. The report detailed revisions made to the scheme in response to pre-application community engagement, including design changes to minimise overlooking and operational noise, and measures to enhance security. The report recommended granting conditional permission, subject to conditions relating to the operational management plan, garden use hours, noise mitigation, and the securement of various details.

113-115 Gloucester Terrace, London, W2 3HB

This application concerned the relocation of two existing air conditioning units from the rear main roof to a first-floor terrace serving flats 5 and 6, and the installation of two additional units on another rear first-floor terrace to serve flat 4. Each pair of units would be housed within acoustic enclosures. The property is a Grade II listed building within the Bayswater Conservation Area. Planning permission and listed building consent had previously been refused for a similar proposal due to harm to the listed building and conservation area. Objections were received from neighbouring residents, raising concerns about the accuracy of the acoustic report and the amenity impact of the units, including noise and heat pollution. The report detailed revisions to the acoustic report and drawings in response to these concerns. The recommendation was to grant conditional permission and listed building consent, subject to conditions related to noise control and the matching of external materials.

14A Caroline Terrace, London, SW1W 8JS

Permission was sought for the part demolition and extension of an existing garden studio at 14A Caroline Terrace to be used as a residential dwelling. The proposals included raising the roofline to create an additional floor, lowering the internal ground floor level, and adding new fenestration and rooflights. The site is within the Belgravia Conservation Area. Objections were received from neighbouring properties on grounds of land use, amenity, and design. Concerns were raised about the loss of a commercial use, the scale and massing of the proposed extensions, potential loss of light and privacy, and the impact on the character of the conservation area. The report noted that the council had previously refused to confirm the lawful use of the property as a dwellinghouse. The recommendation was to grant conditional permission, subject to conditions covering construction hours, materials, waste storage, cycle parking, and tree protection measures.

The meeting agenda also included standard items such as noting changes to membership, receiving declarations of interest, and signing the minutes of the previous meeting.