Here is a summary of the agenda for the Planning Committee meeting scheduled for 9 October 2025. The meeting included discussion of planning applications for two locations: 56 and 58 Parliament Hill and 60-70 Shorts Gardens. Councillors were also scheduled to review the minutes from the meetings on 22 July 2025 and 7 August 2025.

Planning Applications

The Planning Committee was scheduled to review and make recommendations on two planning applications.

56 and 58 Parliament Hill, London NW3 2TL

Councillors were scheduled to consider an application for planning permission for the erection of a single-storey roof extension and alterations to the existing roof, including the creation of roof terraces across both properties. The planning officer, Henry Yeung, recommended that conditional planning permission be granted.

The report pack noted that this application related to two adjoining four-storey properties with a mix of hipped roofs, towers, and flat roofs, subdivided into seven flats. The site is situated within the South Hill Park Conservation Area and is within the Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan area.

The report pack stated that the proposals had been revised following the refusal of a previous scheme and subsequent pre-application advice. Amendments included the reduction of glazing, the retention of the front ridge height, the reduction in the footprint of the roof extension, and the retention of the original rear windows.

Objections had been received, raising concerns about inadequate consultation, harm to the character and appearance of the South Hill Park Conservation Area, loss of daylight and privacy, construction noise and disruption, traffic and access issues, and structural and fire safety risks. The Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum and the Heath & Hampstead Society were among the objectors.

The report pack stated that the design had been amended to respond sensitively to the architectural integrity of the host buildings and wider townscape, and that the reduced roof extension was subordinate to the prominent campanile towers.

60-70 Shorts Gardens, London WC2H 9AH

Councillors were scheduled to consider an application for planning permission for a change of use of the lower and upper basement, ground and mezzanine floors to use the existing floorspace for an immersive experience venue with associated ancillary facilities including a bar area, retail and office space (sui generis) (RETROSPECTIVE). The planning officer, Elaine Quigley, recommended that conditional planning permission be granted subject to a Section 106 Legal Agreement¹.

The report pack noted that the application site related to the lower and upper basement and ground and ground floor mezzanine levels of no. 60-70 Shorts Gardens. The building has recently been refurbished following planning permissions granted in 2018 and a variation to the scheme in 2020.

The applicant, Venues Everywhere Limited, was seeking a change of use from flexible restricted uses within non-residential institutions, assembly and leisure, restaurant and café / drinking establishment and offices to interactive entertainment which includes immersive experiences containing team challenges. The proposed experience is based on the Traitors television show.

The report pack stated that the development would include 89.5 sq. m of office space at upper ground floor level used by the staff, and that the proposed loss of office space was acceptable given that 2,000 sq. m of new office floorspace is retained on the upper floors of the building from the previous consent.

One objection had been received from a local resident in Betterton Street, raising concerns about the impact on neighbouring amenity.

The report pack stated that the potential disturbance arising from the proposed use and from customers entering and vacating the site was considered to be limited, and that an operational management plan would be secured to help ensure the use operates as intended and to mitigate any potential amenity issues.