This meeting of the Kensington and Chelsea Council's Planning Applications Committee considered a range of planning and listed building consent applications, as well as advertisement control requests. The committee approved the majority of applications, but refused consent for BT Street Hubs at 50 Notting Hill Gate and outside Troy Court on Kensington High Street, citing harm to visual amenity and the character of the conservation area.

King's Road Basement Extension

An application for a basement extension at 285-287 King's Road, the location of Raffles nightclub, was refused. The proposal sought to deepen and extend an existing basement, but officers recommended approval.

Objections were raised by David Kerr, representing the Poulton Square Residence Association, citing concerns about:

• Intensification of use, with the basement open to the public but no conditions on capacity.
• Lack of noise impact assessment.
• Inadequate fire proposals.
• The scale of the basement potentially constituting a double-storey development, which is not permitted.

The applicant stated that the extension would not increase capacity or change opening hours, and that a fire safety strategy was in place.

Councillors expressed concerns about the lack of information provided, particularly regarding fire safety, noise and vibration, and the service riser. Councillor Idris questioned whether a 4-metre deep basement could be considered a single-storey basement. Concerns were also raised about the potential for increased activity and disturbance to residents, even without an increase in capacity.

The committee voted to refuse the application based on insufficient information regarding fire safety (policy CD16¹), noise and nuisance (policy CD9), and the service riser.

Little Boltons Terrace

An application for the creation of a terrace at the second and third floor flat of 21 Little Boltons was granted, despite local objections. The proposal included new railings, decking, and French doors.

Objectors, including Councillor Rossi and Michael Hallows, raised concerns about overlooking, the strength of the extension's foundations, and the removal of a condition (CR5) imposed five years prior that precluded a terrace on the extension roof. Mr Hallows stated that the council had previously protected residents' rights to privacy in the Little Boltons by precluding new terraces that overlook each other.

The agent for the applicant argued that there were many existing terraces in the area and that the proposal would not have a detrimental impact on privacy.

Officers clarified that the previous condition did not preclude a terrace, but simply ensured that planning permission would be required. They also stated that there was no specific policy covering the address and that the assessment was based on borough policy regarding harm from outside space versus benefit to amenity.

The committee voted to grant the application, with one abstention.

Cornwall Gardens Internal Alterations

The committee considered a retrospective listed building consent application for internal alterations at Flat 5, 89 Cornwall Gardens.

Objectors, including Stella and Nigel Cross, described significant damage to adjoining flats during the works, including the removal of a party wall, damage to electrics, and a collapsed ceiling. They requested monitoring of the works to ensure safety and an acceptable standard of work.

Councillors expressed concern about the level of harm caused to nearby residents and the lack of a strict schedule of works. Officers suggested adding a condition requiring a full schedule of works.

Following discussion, the committee voted to grant listed building consent, conditional on the code of construction practice being applied and agreed to by the applicant. If the applicant does not agree to the code of construction practice, the consent will be refused.

Earl's Walk New Dwelling

An application for the erection of a new dwelling house at 29 Earl's Walk was granted. The proposal followed a similar scheme granted permission in October 2023.

Objectors, including Tim Bolton, raised concerns about the height of the building, loss of light to number 27 Earl's Walk, and parking.

The applicant stated that the redesigned scheme simplified construction and reduced the build period, and that the flank walls of the new dwelling would not overlap the existing ground floor side windows of 27 Earl's Walk.

Officers stated that a BRE² report showed compliance from those windows and that there would be some impact in terms of the outlook.

The committee voted to grant the application.

Arundel Gardens Handrail

An application submitted by the council for the installation of a black metal handrail at the front entrance of 33 Arundel Gardens was granted, with an additional condition.

An objector requested a personal permission, so that the handrail could be removed when no longer needed. Officers suggested a condition requiring the handrail to be removed when no longer in need, and the land restored to its former condition.

The committee voted to grant the application with the additional condition.

Notting Hill Gate BT Street Hub

The committee considered two applications relating to a BT Street Hub at 50 Notting Hill Gate. The applications had been deferred from a previous meeting for further information.

An objector, speaking on behalf of the Kensington Society, stated that BT had not provided sufficient justification for a larger cabinet and that the primary reason for the increased size appeared to be to increase advertising space.

Officers stated that they were satisfied with the information provided by the applicant and that the proposed development would allow sufficient functionality of the street.

Councillor Fusaniuk asked for clarification on the increase in size, and whether it was for a bigger advertisement.

The committee voted to refuse the planning permission for the equipment itself, citing the impact on the conservation area due to the increase in size, scale and massing.

The committee then voted to refuse advertising consent, citing harm to visual amenity by the size and constant illumination of the advertisement.

Kensington High Street BT Street Hub

The committee then considered two similar applications relating to a BT Street Hub on the north side of Kensington High Street outside Troy Court.

Following the precedent set in the previous discussion, the committee voted to refuse the planning permission, citing that it fails to preserve and enhance the conservation area and has a negative impact on residential amenity.

The committee voted to refuse advertising consent on the grounds of visual amenity.

Henry Dickens Court Playground

The committee considered applications for planning permission and advertisement consent for refurbishment of the existing ball court into a Football Foundation Play Zone at Henry Dickens Court Playground. The application was submitted by the council.

The committee voted to grant both the planning permission and the advertisement consent.

Ledbury Mews North Rooflights

The committee considered a retrospective planning permission for alterations to a roof to alter some existing roof lights and replace them at Flat A, 9 Ledbury Mews North.

The committee voted to grant planning permission.

Town Hall Rooflight

The committee considered an application submitted by the council for changes to an existing roof light located at the front of the Town Hall along Hornton Street.

The committee voted to grant planning permission.

Addison Avenue Outbuilding

The committee considered applications for planning permission and listed building consent for erection of a single story outbuilding and works to a rear wall including creating a new pedestrian access from Princess Place at 54 Addison Avenue.

The committee voted to grant both planning permission and listed building consent.

Harrods Scaffold Wrap

The committee considered an advertisement consent application for the installation of an illuminated scaffold wrap to the Hans Crescent facade of Harrods.

The committee voted to grant advertisement consent, noting that the advertisement would be retained for a limited period only until 31 May 2026.

Sloane Building Outbuilding

The committee considered an application for the erection of a single story outbuilding located within the rear garden of Apartment 5, Sloane Building, Hortensia Road.

The committee voted to grant planning permission.

Redcliffe Square Windows

The committee considered applications for the replacement of existing aluminium casement windows with new aluminium casement windows on a like-for-like basis at 82 Redcliffe Square and 84 Redcliffe Square. Both applications were submitted by the council.

The committee voted to grant planning permission for both applications.

Bramerton Street Basement

The committee considered an application for the construction of a new basement level, rear extensions, and internal alterations at 7 Bramerton Street.

The committee voted to grant planning permission.

Gloucester Road Scaffold Shroud Screen

The committee considered an advertisement application for the installation of a scaffold shroud screen at 15 Gloucester Road.

The committee voted to grant consent of the advertisement, noting that it was time limited to six months and included brightness control and hours of illumination.

Hogarth Road Hotel Restaurant

The committee considered a section 73 application regarding the hotel at 32-36 Hogarth Road seeking the relaxation of condition one to allow non-patrons of the hotel to access the basement level restaurant.

The committee voted to grant the section 73 application.

Earl's Court Road Details Discharge

The committee considered an application for the discharge of details by conditions at 195-201 Earl's Court Road.

The committee voted to approve conditions 6, 11, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 23, and to refuse condition 5, relating to the Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).

Kensington Central Library Doorway

The committee considered a listed building consent application for the installation of a single doorway in the basement level of Kensington Central Library.

The committee voted to grant listed building consent.