Air conditioning and roof screening at 180-186 Brompton Road, London SW3

What was proposed

The application proposed air-conditioning equipment, acoustic and balustrade screening, and a quench pipe at the rear of the building.

“PP/26/01213 Agenda Item: S072 Address: Sub Basement and Ground Floor, 180-186 Brompton Road, LONDON, SW3 1HQ Proposal: Addition of air conditioning units with acoustic screen, and balustrade screening to rear first floor roof. Provision of a quench pipe from first floor terrace roof to upper roof of building as elevations.”

“/PP/26/01213:2 3.1 The site comprises an existing seven storey building on the northern side of Brompton Road. The existing building comprises a mix of commercial and residential uses. The building has a basement car park. The proposed development would be located in the rear courtyard of the property. The site is bounded to the east and west by four storey commercial buildings at 178 and 188 Brompton Road respectively.”

Officer report

The main planning issues

The key issues were the effect on the building and conservation area, neighbouring living conditions, fire safety and overheating.

“/PP/26/01213:4 requires the submission of a Planning Fire Safety Strategy (PFSS) for “minor” or “other” planning applications, or a Reasonable Exception Statement (RES), as considered relevant by the applicant. The application is supported by a PFSS in accordance with CD16 of the Local Plan.”

“Issues and balancing 6.14 Overall and subject to conditions, the proposals would not detrimentally impact the character and appearance of the building and terrace group. The proposals would also continue to ensure good living conditions for all neighbouring occupiers in terms of noise. The proposals would be in accordance with policies CD1, CD2, CD4, CD9, CD10, GB5 and GB8 of the Local Plan 2024.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health raised no objection subject to conditions, while six letters objected to noise, appearance, fire safety and construction impacts.

“Subject to conditions requiring details of the acoustic enclosures, the visual impact of the development is considered acceptable. Fire safety A PFSS has been provided. Concern has been raised regarding compliance with Policy GB4 of the Local Plan and Policy SI2 of the London Plan.”

“Concern has been raised that the proposal may conflict with Conditions 2 and 3 of planning permission PP/22/00933, which restrict the use of the area as a terrace and prohibit the installation of items exceeding 1.1m in height above The current application has been assessed on its own merits.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A person spoke against the application, and the applicant’s consultant solicitor and head of planning spoke in support.

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission, subject to additional screening and roof-terrace conditions and amended plans.

“Resolved unanimously: that planning permission be granted subject to additional condition 6 (Details of Screening at Reduced Height), additional condition 7 (Use of Roof as Terrace Precluded), an amendment to condition 2, the conditions at section 9 of the officer report.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Conditions required approved drawings, post-installation noise testing, anti-vibration mounts, and details of the quench pipe and acoustic screening.

“/PP/26/01213:7 Environmental Health 9.Recommended conditions if the application is granted 1.Time limit (Full PP) The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission. Reason - As required by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to avoid the accumulation of unexercised planning permissions.”

“/PP/26/01213:8 The development hereby approved shall not be commenced untilfull particulars of the following have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and the development shall not be completed otherwise than in accordance with the details so approved: (a) Elevations and section drawings with details of the materials, colour and finish of the quench pipe and acoustic screening Reason – To accord with the development plan by ensuring that…”

Officer report