Roof terrace and access door at First/second Floor Flat, 371 Portobello Road, Kensington

What was proposed

The application sought a roof terrace with timber privacy screens and a timber-framed door replacing a sash window.

“THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE 16/04/2026 REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND PLACE Application: PP/25/05663 Agenda Item: N005 Address:First/second Floor Flat, 371 Portobello Road, LONDON, W10 5SG Proposal: Creation of terrace with timber privacy screens to second floor rear outrigger flat roof and replacement of sash window with timber framed access door.”

“3.2The site is not listed and nor does it lie within a conservation area. 4.The proposal and any relevant planning history 4.1Planning permission is sought for the creation of a roof terrace on the flat roof of the rear outrigger at second floor level. The changes also include the replacement of a sash window with a door to provide access onto the proposed terrace and erection of a 1.7m high timber privacy screen. Officers visited the site on 6 th November 2025.”

Officer report

The site

The proposal concerned the upper-floor flat in a mid-terrace property divided into two self-contained residential flats.

“2.Reason for committee consideration • Three or more objections were received during the consultation period, and the recommendation is to grant. • The Director considers it appropriate that the Committee determines the application. 3.The site and its surroundings 3.1 The application relates to a mid-terrace property which is divided into two self-contained residential flats.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended permission because the modest terrace would preserve the property’s appearance and neighbouring living conditions, subject to conditions.

“The proposed small scale additions to create the roof terrace and access door would only be subject to very limited private views and no public views. Given that the proposal is overall modest in scale and nature, and due to limited views, the 1.7m timber screen and proposed timber door leading out onto the terrace would be acceptable, as they are of materials and design in keeping with the host property.”

Officer report

Concerns raised

Five letters objected over noise, loss of light, privacy and the effect on the character of the area.

“The proposed terrace given its modest size would not result in significant increase in noise or disturbance to have a detrimental impact on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers. In the event of unacceptable level of noise occurring when the terrace is in use it is advised that the Environmental Health Department is contacted where there is a dedicated noise and nuisance team who deal with noise complaints.”

“2 Loss of light and overshadowing into the kitchen. The proposed terrace with the screening would not offer direct views into habitable rooms resulting in loss of privacy/overlooking, if there are any views, they would be limited and angled views. Given that the screening would be positioned behind the parapet rather than fixed onto it; this would reduce the perception of overbearance and overshadowing. 3 Loss of privacy/overlooking into the windows to the rear.”

Officer report

Who spoke

There were no speakers for this item.

Committee discussion

Members were alerted to an amended comment and response concerning an earlier permission and a condition preventing terrace use.

“Officers drew the Committee’s attention to the Addendum report which included an amendment to the comment/response table by adding in point 5 which referred to a comment and response regarding Permission PP/25/055556 which included a condition that the roof of the extension would not be used at any time as a terrace/amenity space.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted planning permission with the conditions listed in Section 9 of the officer report.

“Resolved: to grant planning permission with the conditions listed in Section 9 of this report.”

Minutes