Air conditioning unit and door at Flat C, Davis Court, Argyll Road, Kensington, London W8

What was proposed

The application proposed an outdoor air-conditioning unit and a new access door on a second-floor terrace.

“PP/26/01470 Agenda Item: N014 Address:Flat C, Davis Court, Argyll Road, LONDON, W8 7BQ Proposal: Proposed new air conditioning outdoor unit and new access door on second-floor terrace Applicant: [the applicant]: Lee KiiPArchitecture Ltd Properties notified:Objections:Support:Comments:Petition: 0 6000 Conservation area:Kensington 1.Summary 1.1 The proposed development given its location would preserve the character and appearance of the property, building and wider conservation…”

“/PP/26/01470:2 above. The access to the residential accommodation is via a side door on Argyll Road. 3.2Flat C is located on the second floor. The site is located within the Kensington Conservation Area. 4.The proposal and any relevant planning history 4.1Planning permission has been sought for: -Installation of an air conditioning outdoor unit and new access door on second-floor terrace 4.2Previous applications have been withdrawn due to the lack of an acoustic report.”

Officer report

The site and its history

Flat C is on the second floor of a seven-storey residential mansion building within the Kensington Conservation Area.

“It is recommended the Committee grants planning permission with the conditions listed in Section 9 of this report. 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 Davis Court is a residential mansion building. It is a seven-storey building with commercial use on the ground floor, office on first floor and residential accommodation on the floors…”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Two earlier applications for air-conditioning equipment and an access door were withdrawn, while a glazed roof application was granted.

“Granted 29/11/2023 PP/24/05059 Installation of an external air conditioning condenser unit and an access door for maintenance in terrace.Withdrawn PP/25/01946 Installation of air conditioning outdoor unit and new access door on second-floor terraceWithdrawn 5.Main policies and strategies relevant to the decision The development plan 5.1The main planning considerations applying to the site and the associated policies are: Local Plan Conservation areasCD3, CD4, CD15 General…”

Officer report

The main planning issues

The unit and enclosure were considered acceptable in their discreet courtyard location, while acoustic mitigation and conditions would control noise and vibration.

“/PP/26/01470:3 ·Noise 5.4 These documents can be read online at: ·Conservation Area Proposal Statements and Conservation Area Appraisals: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/heritage-and-conservation/conse rvation-areas/conservation-area 6.Evaluation 6.1 The application is supported an acceptable energy and overheating statement as required by policy GB5 of the Local Plan 2024.”

“The enclosure and ducting would extend higher that the boundary treatment and would be rather bulky. However, given the limited visibility, constrained context the proposal would be, on balance, acceptable. The proposed new doors within the enclosed and covered courtyard would be also acceptable. Impact on neighbouring properties 6.4 The application has been submitted alongside an Acoustic Report.”

Officer report

Objections and consultation

Five letters objected to noise and vibration, while the Director of Environmental Health raised no objection subject to conditions.

“/PP/26/01470:4 7.1 If permitted and built, the proposal would not require a payment towards funding additional infrastructure under the Borough’s Community Infrastructure Levy and a payment towards funding Crossrail under the Mayor of London’s Community Infrastructure Levy. 8.Consultations carried out Comments from interested parties 8.1The application was advertised in the Gazette on 17/04/2026.”

“Other consultees and organisations ConsulteeComment Where in the report this is considered Director of Environmental Health - Noise No objection, subject to conditions.6.4 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

Who spoke

There were no speakers for this item.

The committee vote

The committee unanimously voted to grant planning permission with the conditions in section 9 of the officer report.

“Resolved unanimously: that planning permission be granted with the conditions at section 9 of the officer report.”

Minutes