Hotel extension and refurbishment at 11-13 Penywern Road, Kensington, London SW5

What was proposed

The application proposed replacing a rear outbuilding with a two-storey extension, adding a third-floor rear extension, plant equipment and associated works.

“3.The site and its surroundings 3.1 The application site comprises two mid terrace four storey buildings, with lower ground floor and mansard levels, located on the south-western side of Penywern Road. The buildings are located within the Earl's Court Square Conservation Area. 3.2The site is in use as a hotel, known as the City Continental Kensington. The street is characterised by a mix of residential and commercial uses, mainly hotels.”

“4.3The interior of the hotel would be reorganised and refurbished, together with basement level, lower ground extension and associated internal work, which in totality would result in nine additional guestrooms (an uplift from 74 to 83 rooms). 4.4Officer visited the site on 15 October 2025. 4.5The relevant planning history is set out below: ReferenceDescriptionDecision PP/09/02085 Proposed addition of 13 no.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier applications included a refused and dismissed rear extension scheme, followed by permissions for third-floor and basement-level extensions.

“Granted 09/06/2022 PP/23/05622 Erection of glass extension at basement level to link rear of City Continental Hotel to stand-alone Granted 31/10/23 bedroom block.”

Officer report

Officers recommended approval

Officers considered the proposals acceptable because they would preserve the building and conservation area, retain living conditions and avoid harmful highway effects.

“THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE 16/04/2026 REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND PLACE Application: PP/25/05423 Agenda Item: S011 Address:11-13 Penywern Road, LONDON, SW5 9TT Proposal: Demolition of rear outbuilding and its replacement with a two-storey extension (at lower ground and basement levels). Rear extension at third floor level, installation of plant equipment and associated works.”

“Subject to the recommended conditions the proposals are compliant with the relevant policies in the Development Plan, as well as the statutory duty for a conservation area. Objections received from interested parties have been taken into consideration and are addressed throughout the report and in Section 8. Where appropriate and necessary, conditions are recommended to address the concerns raised.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, environmental health, arboricultural and flood officers raised no objections, subject to conditions or informatives.

“The proposed plant equipment would have an acceptable impact in terms of noise, as secured by recommended condition. 9Impact on conservation area The proposed development would preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

“Director of Environmental Health (Air Quality) No objection, subject to informativesParagraph 6.2 Arboricultural Officer No objection, subject to a conditionParagraph 6.6 Flood and Water Management Officer No objection, subject to conditionsParagraph 6.5 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.”

Officer report

Concerns from nearby people

Objections covered overdevelopment, traffic, light and privacy, construction noise, hotel impacts, structural safety, plant effects and the conservation area.

“2Traffic and parking disruption A recommended condition for a final CTMP before the commencement of works would limit the impacts on traffic and parking during construction. The proposals would not alter the access or operation of the highway post completion. 3Reduction in light and privacy The replacement of the two-storey extension is at ground and lower ground level would not cause unacceptable loss of light and privacy to neighbouring occupiers.”

Officer report

Speakers at the meeting

There were no speakers for this application.

The committee’s decision

Planning permission was granted with the conditions listed in the officer report.

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

Minutes