Two flats into one home at 11 Ladbroke Road, Kensington, London W11

What was proposed

Two one-bedroom flats would become one two-bedroom home, with new entrance stairs, replacement windows and doors, and facade repairs.

“THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE 09/10/2025 REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND PLACE Application: /PP/25/04347 Agenda Item: N114 Address:11 Ladbroke Road, LONDON, W11 3PA Proposal: Amalgamation of two 1No bedroom residential units at ground and lower ground floor (Flat A and Flat 1) to create one 2No bedroom residential unit, as well as external alterations including reinstatement of front entrance, replacement of single-glazed…”

Officer report

Site and planning history

The application concerns two flats in a four-storey semi-detached building within the Ladbroke Conservation Area; an earlier side extension was granted in 2007.

“2.Reason for committee consideration · At the request of Councillor Gardener. 3.The site and its surroundings 3.1 11 Ladbroke Road is a semi-detached, four-storey building located on the southern side of Ladbroke Road. The building has been divided into flats. This application relates to Flat A and Flat 1, which comprise the lower ground and upper ground floor, respectively. 3.2The site is within the Ladbroke Conservation Area.”

“Granted 07/12/2007 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 PlanLondon Plan HousingHO1, HO4D6 Conservation areasCD4, CD15 General townscapeCD1, CD2, CD10 Living conditionsCD9, GB10 Fire safetyCD16 5.2 These policies can be read online at: · Local Plan: https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/local-plan/local- plan…”

Officer report

The officer recommendation

Planning permission was recommended for refusal because the amalgamation would lose a decent-sized home contrary to housing policy.

“The proposal would therefore fail to protect the existing homes within the Borough and would be contrary to policy HO1 of the Local Plan. 1.2There are no material considerations to indicate a decision otherwise than in accordance with the Development Plan, and as such, it is recommended that planning permission be refused. Objections received from interested parties have been taken into consideration and are addressed throughout the report and in Section 8.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The existing flats met minimum space standards, while the proposed external alterations would likely enhance the building and conservation area.

“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. The application is supported by a PFSS in accordance with CD16 of the Local Plan.”

“6.8Paragraph 5.14 of the Local Plan outlines that it may still be possible to amalgamate a maximum of two homes to one to bring them up to standard but only ifboth existing homes are substandard. This would be whereboth are significantly below the minimum size standards without adequate natural daylight and ventilation. This would not apply to the current proposal as both of the existing units would meet the minimum space standards.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An applicant representative and a supporter addressed the committee in support of the application.

The committee vote

The committee unanimously rejected the officer’s recommendation to refuse permission and unanimously voted to grant permission with conditions.

“RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: to not adopt the officer’s recommendation to refuse planning permission for the reason listed in section 9 of the report.”

“Resolved unanimously as proposed by Cllr Lloyd North and seconded by Cllr Will Lane: to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions.”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was granted, subject to conditions including completion and retention of the external alterations before occupation.

“Heritage Benefits Prior to occupation of the amalgamated unit, the external alterations including external façade repairs, shall be implemented in full. The works shall thereafter be retained. Reason – The heritage benefits are material to the decision and required to justify the loss of a home at 11 Ladbroke Road and conflict with Policy HO1.”

Minutes