Pergola, decking and planting at The Chapel, Chelsea, London SW10

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought for a pergola, decking and planting, which were not attached to the listed building or its boundary walls.

“/PP/25/04896:2 gardens. This application relates to the northern garden area, adjacent to the seven storey Miliner House (a contemporary residential apartment). 3.2The site is within The College of St Mark and St John Conservation Area and the Chapel at The College of St Mark and St John is a listed building. 4.The proposal and any relevant planning history 4.1Retrospective planning permission is sought for the erection of a pergola, decking and planting.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions approved alterations, residential conversions, landscaping and related changes to the former chapel building.

“/PP/25/04896:3 PP/15/04724 Variation to approved drawings of planning permission PP/13/05016 to reduce the size of the approved extension to the north east corner of the site at both ground floor and basement level, the relocation of an approved external condenser, the reduction in unit numbers from 3 to 2 and minor external alterations to the extension, landscaping and location of car parking, refuse and cycle parking.”

“LB Consented 4/05/2016 Granted 02/09/2016 PP/16/06607 LB/16/06606 Variation of condition 1 of PP and condition 2 of LB (compliance with drawings) of LB/15/01041 and PP/15/08160 to allow the use of undercroft space adjacent to approved pool to house the plant associated with the pool.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the lightweight structures limited in scale, unlikely to harm heritage assets, and unlikely to cause significant overlooking, enclosure or loss of light.

“Therefore, a Planning Fire Safety Strategy (PFSS) would not be required in this instance and the proposals would be in accordance with Local Plan Policy CD16. 6.3The Council’s Arboricultural Officer has reviewed the application and specified that the adjacent tree appears to have suffered no harm from the pergola and decking, and that there is no tangible benefit in forcing the removal of the structures.”

“/PP/25/04896:5 a timber planters. 6.6The pergola is a simple structure bounded by flower beds and planters, being a single storey it aligns with the top of the boundary wall. The pergola and decking by virtue of its height and size does not undermine the prominence of the listed building or views to it. The proposal being of limited scale and size is unlikely to impact on the conservation area, noting it being adjacent to the modern Miliner House to the north.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Three letters raised concerns about the mature tree, heritage impact and possible commercial outdoor entertainment, while the arboricultural officer had no objection.

“/PP/25/04896:6 8.23 letters were receivedobjecting to the application, summarised as: CommentResponse 1 Impact on the mature London Plane. The application has been reviewed by Council’s Arboricultural Officer, who has raised no objection to the structures impact on trees. 2 Impact on the character and appearance of the listed building and conservation area.”

“Section 6 Arboricultural Officer No objectionSection 6 9.Recommended conditions if the application is granted 1.Compliance with approved drawings The development hereby approved shall be carried out in complete accordance with drawing/document title number(s) 2501-S-XP-OS-LP01 2501-S-XP-OP-LP 2501-S-XP-OS-0000 2501-S-GA-XP-PERG Floor/Roof Plan 2501-S-GA-XS-PERG Elevations/Sections.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker addressed the committee in objection, while the applicant’s agents addressed it in support.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission by majority, subject to the report’s conditions and an additional green roof and soft landscaping condition.

“Resolved by majority (with Cllr Idris dissenting): that planning permission be granted with the conditions at section 9 of the officer report and subject to additional condition 3 (green roof / soft landscaping – details required).”

Minutes