First-floor roof terrace at 51 and 52 Sloane Street, Chelsea, London SW1X

The site and surroundings

The site contains two five-storey red-brick buildings in the Hans Town Conservation Area, beside the Knightsbridge International Shopping Centre.

“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. It is recommended the Committee grants planning permission with the conditions listed in Section 9 of this report.”

“/PP/25/05533:2 and appearance. Sloane Street is currently vacant and was in use as a medical practice with ancillary residential accommodation at the fourth and fifth floor levels. Sloane Street is currently in use as an Embassy. 3.2The buildings are not listed but are situated within the Hans Town Conservation Area. 3.3The site is adjacent to the Knightsbridge International Shopping Centre.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the works modest and suitably designed, with planting and screening protecting the buildings, conservation area and neighbouring living conditions.

“/PP/25/05533:6 6.6Policy CD16 (Fire Safety) of the Local Plan sets out that all development proposals must demonstrate that they achieve the highest standards of fire safety. Policy CD16 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.”

“Condition 24 has been recommended so that the terrace is only in use between 08:00 to 19:00 hours, Monday to Friday, to ensure that the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers would be preserved.”

Officer report

What neighbours said

Four objections raised concerns about noise, disturbance, overcrowding and privacy, which officers addressed through restricted hours and privacy screening.

“/PP/25/05533:7 6.16Considerable importance and weight has been attached to and special attention has been paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the conservation area, under s.72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, as amended.”

“Given that a limited area of the roof is proposed to be used as a terrace during restricted hours/days, the number of people on the terrace would not be significant which could cause disturbance and/or overcrowding. 2Loss of privacy The proposed privacy screening and restricting the floorspace the terrace covers, would ensure that there would be no significant impact on neighbouring properties in regard to overlooking/loss of privacy.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No speakers were present at the meeting.

The committee’s decision

The committee unanimously granted planning permission with the conditions set out in the officer recommendation.

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

Minutes