Listed building refurbishment at Heythrop College, Kensington, London W8

What was proposed

The application proposed refurbishing windows and doors, removing a metal stair, replacing a rooflight and creating a rear patio and landscaping.

“/PP/26/00473:1 THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE 23/06/2026 REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND PLACE Application: PP/26/00473 Agenda Item: S041 Address:Heythrop College, 23-24 Kensington Square, LONDON, W8 5HN Proposal: Refurbishment of existing property to include replacement/refurbishment of windows and doors to rear & side elevations. Removal of existing external metal stair on side elevation.”

“1.2Some amendments have been made to the proposed drawings as follows: ·Historic glass in the front sash windows to no longer be replaced but rather refurbished and secondary glazing installed. ·Removal of a proposal for a brick WC in the rear garden. ·Reconfiguration of the rear landscaping works to remove the proposal for excavation next to the listed boundary wall to the north of the garden.”

Officer report

The site

The property is a Grade II listed corner building containing an educational facility and nursery within the Kensington Square Conservation Area.

“/PP/26/00473:2 2.Reason for committee consideration · Three or more objections were received during the consultation period and the recommendation is to grant. 3.The site and its surroundings 3.1 23-24 Kensington Square is a corner plot in the south-western corner of Kensington Square. The property appears as a three-storey building from street level but has a lower ground floor level visible only at the rear of the property.”

Officer report

Planning history

A wider Heythrop College redevelopment was approved and implemented, but the current application does not change the educational or nursery uses.

“Landscaping at the rear including a larger dropped patio area and steps and new shrubbery. 4.2The larger Heythrop College site is subject to consent for a major redevelopment scheme, including the construction of new buildings for an extra care facility, which has been lawfully implemented. A significant element of the approval was that parts of the buildings at 23-24 Kensington Square would be reinstated as townhouses.”

“Erection of deck over adjacent London Underground line and construction of 5 buildings (ranging between 1 and 8 storeys in height) for use as an extra care facility including units, communal facilities and services areas, community hall and on-site affordable housing and associated access parking, servicing and landscaping. (MAJOR DEVELOPMENT). PP refused 10/05/2019 Subsequently granted on appeal 17/08/2020 LB granted 16/11/2020”

Officer report

Objections received

Eight letters opposed the application, raising concerns about future residential conversion, educational operations, traffic, pupils and the listed building.

“/PP/26/00473:6 8.1The application was advertised in the Gazette on 10/04/2026. A statutory notice advertising the application was posted near the site on 10/04/2026. 8.2No letters were receivedsupporting the application.”

“3 A concern is raised that the change of use away from residential is not neutral and could erode the character of Kensington Square. No change of use is proposed. 4 A concern is raised that no information has been provided on the number of pupils, age groups, staff numbers and other operational elements, including traffic management and servicing, associated with educational use.”

Officer report

Speakers

No speakers addressed the committee.

The committee vote

The committee granted planning permission by majority, with one councillor recused from the item.

“Resolved by majority (Cllr Mackover recused himself for this item): that planning permission be granted with the conditions listed in Section 9 of the report for S041 and listed building consent be granted with the conditions listed in Section 2 of the report for S042.”

Minutes