The National Gallery Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DN Data via plota.co.uk
25/06611/FULL - Full Planning Permission Application
Approved
Proposal
Installation of new ventilation plant on the second floor roof of the Conservation Studios at the National Gallery and associated works. Data via plota.co.uk
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View original council record ↗Last checked
Application progress
✓
Received
16 Sept 2025
✓
Approved
30 Oct 2025
Approved on 30 Oct 2025 · Delegated Decision · Last checked 18 Oct 2026
Documents 21
Decision & officer reports 2
Statements & assessments 2
Plans & drawings 11
PDF
LOCATION PLAN
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
EXISTING SITE PLAN
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
PROPOSED SITE PLAN
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
EXISTING AND DEMOLITION ROOF PLAN
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
EXISTING AND DEMOLITION SECOND FLOOR PLAN
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
WILKINS BUILDING EXISTING ELEVATION
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
PROPOSED DETAILS
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
PROPOSED ROOF PLAN
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
PROPOSED SECOND FLOOR PLAN
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
PROPOSED SIGHT LINES SECTION
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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PDF
WILKINS BUILDING PROPOSED ELEVATION
Drawing · 16 Sept 2025
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Application forms 1
Consultation & comments 1
Site constraints 12
Grade I listed: National Gallery
List entry 1066236 · The pin is inside its outline · 33 more listed buildings within 150 m (6 Grade I, 10 Grade II*, 17 Grade II)
Listed building consent is needed for work that affects the special interest of a listed building, inside or out, on top of planning permission. Setting can be a consideration for buildings nearby; there is no fixed radius.
Show the other 33 with distances
- 7 mNational Portrait GalleryGrade I
- 42 mThe Edith Cavell MemorialGrade I
- 43 mStatue of George WashingtonGrade II
- 49 mChurch of St Martin in the FieldsGrade I
- 54 mSt Martin's VicarageGrade II*
- 60 mCavell House National Westminster BankGrade II
- 66 mChurchyard Wall and Railings Adjoining Entrance to Crypt, on North Side of Church of St Martin in the FieldsGrade II
- 69 mSt Martin's Vestry HallGrade II*
- 74 mStatue of George IvGrade II
- 75 mStatue of Sir Henry IrvingGrade II
- 81 m1, Charing Cross Road Wc2Grade II
- 82 mThe Garrick TheatreGrade II*
- 84 mSt Martin in the Fields Secondary SchoolGrade II*
- 84 mSouth Africa HouseGrade II*
- 86 m31, St Martin's Lane Wc2Grade II*
- 86 mChurchyard Walls and Railings Surrounding Church of St Martin in the Fields on North, South, East and West SidesGrade I
- 92 mThe Coliseum Theatre (English National Opera)Grade II*
- 106 mJohn Law Baker Memorial Drinking Fountain (St Martin in the Fields Churchyard)Grade II
- 111 mFountains and Terrace Walls With Lampstandards, Steps and Stone Bollards Enclosing the SquareGrade II*
- 113 mK6 Telephone KioskGrade II
- 116 mDuke of York's TheatreGrade II
- 116 mStatue of James Ii in Front of National Gallery West WingGrade I
- 120 m44, Chandos Place Wc2Grade II
- 123 mVentilation Lamp Standard Numbered 35 on Island North of Irving StreetGrade II
- 125 m45 and 46, Chandos Place Wc2Grade II
- 125 mDrinking Fountain Attached to Church Walls and Railing to Church of St Martin-in-the-FieldsGrade II
- 126 mSainsbury Wing at the National GalleryGrade I
- 129 m434-437, STRAND WC2 (See details for further address information)Grade II*
- 130 mStatue of General Sir Henry HavelockGrade II
- 142 mWestern Corner Block of Former Charing Cross HospitalGrade II
- 146 mCanada House (Including the Former Royal College of Physicians)Grade II*
- 148 mWestminster Reference LibraryGrade II
- 150 mMarquis of Granby Public HouseGrade II
Trafalgar Square conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
2 Article 4 directions
Article 4 Basement Development Permitted Rights Removed · Article 4 Direction Class E To C3 In Central Activities Zone. Named permitted development rights are withdrawn here.
An Article 4 direction withdraws particular permitted development rights, so work that would normally need no application needs one here. Not every council has published its directions.
Archaeological priority area: City of Westminster APA 1.2
An assessment or field evaluation may be asked for before ground works.
The council or Historic England considers archaeology likely here. A desk-based assessment, and sometimes trial trenching, can be asked for with the application.
Air quality management area: Westminster AQMA
The council has declared the area as failing an air quality objective.
Schemes that add traffic, parking or combustion plant are assessed against the area's action plan and may need an air quality assessment.
National infrastructure project 145 m away: Thames Tideway Tunnel
The site is 145 m from the project boundary. Waste water treatment, decided. The project page says whether consent was granted. Also within 2 km: London Strategic Heat Main Project (at pre-application, 111 m).
Nationally significant infrastructure projects (power stations, electricity lines, pipelines, major roads and railways, harbours, airports and reservoirs) are consented by a Secretary of State under the Planning Act 2008, after an examination by the Planning Inspectorate, rather than by the council. The boundary is the one the Inspectorate consults on and can change as the scheme does. Projects are shown within 2 km of the site.
Town centre: West End
A designated centre in the London Plan.
Shops, services and active frontages are protected in centres, and main town centre uses are steered here first.
Habitat network: Network Enhancement Zone 2
Where habitat is joined up enough to work as a network. Context, not a constraint on its own.
Central activities zone
The core of central London in the London Plan.
Offices, culture and the other strategic functions of the centre take priority over new housing here.
Registered park or garden 66 m away: Trafalgar Square
Its setting is a consideration for work nearby.
Registered parks and gardens, battlefields, world heritage sites and protected wrecks are designated heritage assets: harm needs clear and convincing justification.
Also on the record
Inside the City of Westminster built-up area; Public transport access: PTAL 6b (excellent), TfL 2023, for the 100 m square.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No scheduled monument at the site
Checked on 2 November 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Planning Inspectorate, Transport for London (public transport access levels, Powered by TfL Open Data, OGL v3.0, contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2025) and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.
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Important details
- Council
- Westminster
- Application type
- Full Planning Permission Application
- Postcode
- WC2N 5DN
- Received
- 16 Sept 2025
- Validated
- 16 Sept 2025
- Ward
- St James's
- Case officer
- Show
- Target decision
- 11 Nov 2025
- Decision
- Application Permitted
- Decision date
- 30 Oct 2025
- Decision level
- Delegated Decision
- Agent
- Purcell
- Freehold owner
- Show
How this decision compares
Decided in 44 days from validation, 32 days faster than Westminster's median of 76 for full applications. Approved, as 86% of full applications here are.
This one44d
Council76d
UK57d
35%decided within 8 weeks
86%approved
2,198decided in the last year
Plota live figures for full applications decided by Westminster in the last twelve months, from validation. Westminster decision record →
Public comments
No public comments yet.
11 neighbours consulted · Last counted 18 Oct 2026
Consultation & key dates
- Alt. reference
- PP-14325398
- Planning Portal ref
- PP-14325398
- Env. assessment
- No
Historical activity at this location
50 previous applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.
This property
Previous applications at this address
2025
Installation of new ventilation plant on the second floor roof of the Conservation Studio…
2025
Approved
Internal alterations to the Lecture Theatre and Green Room to support new AV/IT equipment…
2025
Approved
Display of floor vinyl graphics for a temporary period from 09 June 2025 to 01 September…
2025
Installation of two new totems and wayfinding signage to the entrance of the Supporters H…
2025
Display of two non illuminated totem signs measuring 1.4m x 0.545m, 1.665m x 0.545m and t…
2025
Installation of two new totems and wayfinding signage to the entrance of the Supporters H…
2025
Installation of external cornice lighting along the parapet of the Wilkins building and t…
2025
Installation of external cornice lighting along the parapet of the Wilkins building and t…
2025
Internal stone carving at the foot of the Grand Stair within the National Gallery
2025
Removal of vent and block up with stone indent repair to allow carving and carving of let…
2025
Display of non- iluminated fascia sign measuring 0.14m x 3.80m. (Linked with 25/01401/LBC)
2025
Removal of the blockwork partitions to the south to open up the space; new wall to former…
2025
Installation of lighting along the parapet of the Wilkins building and the Sainsbury Wing…
2025
Installation of lighting along the parapet of the Wilkins building and the Sainsbury Wing…
2024
Display of surface mounted digital screen adjacent to the main entrance on Orange Street…
2024
Installation of surface mounted digital screen adjacent to the main entrance on Orange St…
2024
Display of two internally illuminated digital screen totem signs each measuring 0.781m X…
2024
Display of two non illuminated carved fascia signs measuring 0.59m x 0.97m, 0.14m x 5.16m…
2024
External stone carved letterings to main entrance on Orange Street. (Linked with 24/08317…
2024
Installation of ventilation air handling unit on the roof of the Education Centre. (Linke…
2016
Approved
Erection of over-roofs to roofs R13, 39 and 169 to remove the sumps and divert rainwater…
2016
Approved
Display of non illuminated hoarding measuring to 49.3m by 9m in total from the 5th Septem…
2016
Approved
Internal alterations.
2016
Approved
Installation of two sets of new double doors within the West Entrance, Entrance Lobby.
2016
Approved
Display of hoarding measuring to 49.3m by 9m in total from the 23rd May 2016 until the 9t…
Within ~100m
Nearby activity
2025
Pitch 1714 St Martin's Place London WC2N 5DN
Variation of Condition 2 of planning permission dated 29 December 2024 (RN 24/06875/FULL)…
2025
National Portrait Gallery 2 St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE
Replacement of existing railings to Weston Wing entrance.
2025
National Portrait Gallery 2 St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE
Replacement of existing railings to Weston Wing entrance.
2025
Approved
National Portrait Gallery 2 St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE
Display of five non-illuminated railing mounted marketing boards measuring 140cm x 69cm…
2025
Approved
National Portrait Gallery 2 St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE
Installation of five non-illuminated railing mounted marketing boards measuring 140cm x 6…
2025
Irving Gardens Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0QX
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2025
Car Parking Spaces 7 - 8 St Martin's Place London WC2N 4JH
Display of one non illuminated metal sign measuring 0.66m x 1.47m to be fixed on upper pl…
2024
7 - 8 St Martin's Place London WC2N 4HA
Installation of canopies to roof terrace areas.
2024
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Variation of Condition 2 of planning permission dated 22 December 2023 (RN 23/07259/FULL)…
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2024
National Portrait Gallery 2 St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE
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2024
National Portrait Gallery 2 St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE
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National Portrait Gallery 2 St Martin's Place London WC2H 0HE
Display of an internally illuminated fascia sign measuring 0.5m X 1m, 0.4m X 0.3m and 0.1…
2023
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Pitch 1714 St Martin's Place London WC2N 5DN
Variation of condition 2 of planning permission dated 18 November 2022 (RN: 22/06362/FULL…
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30 St Martin's Lane London WC2N 4ER
Display of externally illuminated fascia sign measuring 0.54m X 2.815m, externally illumi…
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Installation of a new shopfront. Installation of one new electronically retractable awnin…
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7 - 8 St Martin's Place London WC2N 4HA
Use of part ground floor as restaurant (Class E) and associated installation of louvres w…
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114 St Martin's Lane London WC2N 4AZ
Replacement of the existing canopy to the front elevation.
2023
Concession 1 Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DN
To form a new ACO drainage channel to the bottom of the steps from Trafalgar Square to th…
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Use of an area of land on Trafalgar Square for the daytime placement of a mobile 'Ambassa…
2016
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Change of use of first to fourth floors from offices (Use Class B1) to hotel (Use Class C…
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Unit A 7 - 8 St Martin's Place London WC2N 4JH
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30 St Martin's Lane London WC2N 4ER
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Westminster
Planning Authority Score
3.5/10
Below average
#221 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Householder decisions
Westminster is slower than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #258 out of 296. Only 28% of applications have the time limit extended, well below the 41% national average - the council usually decides on time. Westminster is also one of the strictest councils - it refuses more householder applications than almost any other, with only 81% approved vs 90% nationally.
One of the strictest councils
only 81% approved vs 90% nationally
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application.
View full council performance
Westminster decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
86%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #201 of 296
81%
Householder approved
Below avg (90%) #277 of 296
44%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #258 of 296
28%
Extended time limit
Below avg (41%) #46 of 296
83%
Minor dwellings approved
12 decided (1-9 homes)
67%
Major dwellings approved
3 decided (10+ homes)
81%
Change of use approved
133 decided
4,602
Total decisions
648 refused in the year to March 2026
Freehold owner: Information produced by HM Land Registry. © Crown copyright 2026. Source: HM Land Registry, UK and overseas companies that own property in England and Wales, September 2026 release.
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The National Gallery Trafalgar Square London WC2N 5DN
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