St James's Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9ET Data via plota.co.uk
26/05195/FULL - Full Planning Permission Application
Approved
Proposal
Replacement of C20th steel-framed and fibreglass-clad church spire with new structure and traditionally detailed leadwork. Data via plota.co.uk
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View original council record ↗Last checked
Application progress
✓
Received
31 Jul 2026
✓
Approved
18 Sept 2026
Approved on 18 Sept 2026 · Delegated Decision · Last checked 22 Sept 2026
Documents 30
Decision & officer reports 2
Statements & assessments 1
Plans & drawings 17
PDF
LOCATION PLAN
Location Plan · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ROOF PLAN AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ELEVATION NORTH AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ELEVATION EAST AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ELEVATION SOUTH AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ELEVATION WEST AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SPIRE ELEVATIONS AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SPIRE ELEVATIONS AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SPIRE SECTION AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ROOF PLAN AS PROPOSED
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ELEVATION NORTH AS PROPOSED
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ELEVATION EAST AS EXISTING
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ELEVATION SOUTH AS PROPOSED
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SITE ELEVATION WEST AS PROPOSED
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SPIRE ELEVATIONS AS PROPOSED
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SPIRE ELEVATIONS AS PROPOSED
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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PDF
SPIRE SECTIONS AS PROPOSED
Drawing · 31 Jul 2026
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Application forms 1
Consultation & comments 3
Other documents 6
PDF
ACK-GENERAL LETTER (G/P/C)
Background Papers · 19 Aug 2026
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PDF
CNSLT-LA SOCIETY
Background Papers · 19 Aug 2026
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PDF
CNSLT-LA SOCIETY
Background Papers · 19 Aug 2026
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SITE NOTICE 21 OR 28 DAYS IF T&C APPL.
Background Papers · 19 Aug 2026
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PDF
RECEIPT OF APPLICATION
Other · 10 Aug 2026
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PDF
1ST INVALID LETTER
Background Papers · 10 Aug 2026
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Site constraints 11
Grade I listed: Church of St James's Piccadilly
List entry 1226621 · The pin is inside its outline · 44 more listed buildings within 150 m (3 Grade I, 11 Grade II*, 30 Grade II)
Listed building consent is needed for work that affects the special interest of a listed building, inside or out, on top of planning permission. Setting can be a consideration for buildings nearby; there is no fixed radius.
Show the other 44 with distances
- 31 mSimpsonsGrade II*
- 36 mSouthwood Memorial in St James's ChurchyardGrade II
- 39 mFormer Midland BankGrade II*
- 40 m96, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 44 m95, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 45 mThe Red Lion Public HouseGrade II
- 49 m94, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 52 mFormer Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours Premises, Now Forming Part of Prince's HouseGrade II
- 53 mPiccadilly HotelGrade II*
- 53 m106, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 54 m93, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 57 m4 Lampstandards Numbered 1 to 4 (Consecutive)Grade II
- 64 m39 AND 40, PICCADILLY W1 (See details for further address information)Grade II
- 64 m207-209, Piccadilly W1Grade II
- 64 m25, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 69 m90, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II*
- 75 m89, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 80 mDenman HouseGrade II
- 80 m88, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 94 m7, St James's Square Sw1Grade II
- 97 m111 and 112, Jermyn Street Sw1Grade II
- 98 mThe QuadrantGrade II
- 102 m9, St James's Square Sw1Grade II*
- 104 mChatham HouseGrade I
- 110 m11, St James's Square Sw1Grade II*
- 111 m12, St James's Square Sw1Grade II
- 113 mWentworth HouseGrade II*
- 114 mParamount and Universal CinemasGrade II
- 115 mAlbany CourtyardGrade I
- 115 mThe QuadrantGrade II
- 117 m13, St James's Square Sw1Grade II*
- 124 m27-37, LOWER REGENT STREET SW1 (See details for further address information)Grade II
- 124 m215 and 216, Piccadilly W1Grade II
- 125 m15, Lower Regent Street Sw1Grade II
- 125 mLondon LibraryGrade II
- 126 mMounting Block on Kerb in Front of Number 7Grade II
- 131 m2 Lamp Standards Numbered 1 and 2Grade II
- 131 mMelbourne House (A1 to A15)Grade I
- 132 m36, Sackville Street W1Grade II*
- 133 m4, St James's Square Sw1Grade II*
- 135 mThe Learned Societies, Forecourt Buildings to Burlington HouseGrade II*
- 138 mThe QuadrantGrade II
- 141 m34 and 35, Sackville Street W1Grade II
- 150 mPiccadilly Circus Underground Station Booking Hall Concourse and Bronzework to Pavement Subway EntrancesGrade II
St James's conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
2 Article 4 directions
Article 4 Basement Development Permitted Rights Removed · Article 4 Direction Class E To C3 In Central Activities Zone. Named permitted development rights are withdrawn here.
An Article 4 direction withdraws particular permitted development rights, so work that would normally need no application needs one here. Not every council has published its directions.
Archaeological priority area: City of Westminster APA 2.5
An assessment or field evaluation may be asked for before ground works.
The council or Historic England considers archaeology likely here. A desk-based assessment, and sometimes trial trenching, can be asked for with the application.
Air quality management area: Westminster AQMA
The council has declared the area as failing an air quality objective.
Schemes that add traffic, parking or combustion plant are assessed against the area's action plan and may need an air quality assessment.
Town centre: West End
A designated centre in the London Plan.
Shops, services and active frontages are protected in centres, and main town centre uses are steered here first.
National infrastructure project 508 m away: Thames Tideway Tunnel
The site is 508 m from the project boundary. Waste water treatment, decided. The project page says whether consent was granted. Also within 2 km: London Strategic Heat Main Project (at pre-application, 292 m).
Nationally significant infrastructure projects (power stations, electricity lines, pipelines, major roads and railways, harbours, airports and reservoirs) are consented by a Secretary of State under the Planning Act 2008, after an examination by the Planning Inspectorate, rather than by the council. The boundary is the one the Inspectorate consults on and can change as the scheme does. Projects are shown within 2 km of the site.
Central activities zone
The core of central London in the London Plan.
Offices, culture and the other strategic functions of the centre take priority over new housing here.
Also on the record
Registered park or garden 143 m away: St James's Square; Inside the City of Westminster built-up area; Public transport access: PTAL 6b (excellent), TfL 2023, for the 100 m square.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No scheduled monument at the site
Checked on 6 October 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Planning Inspectorate, Transport for London (public transport access levels, Powered by TfL Open Data, OGL v3.0, contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2025) and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.
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Important details
- Council
- Westminster
- Application type
- Full Planning Permission Application
- Postcode
- W1J 9ET
- Received
- 31 Jul 2026
- Validated
- 31 Jul 2026
- Ward
- St James's
- Case officer
- Show
- Target decision
- 25 Sept 2026
- Decision
- Application Permitted
- Decision date
- 18 Sept 2026
- Decision level
- Delegated Decision
- Applicant
- Show
- Agent
- Ptolemy Dean Architects Ltd
How this decision compares
Decided in 49 days from validation, 8 days faster than Westminster's median of 57 for demolitions. Approved, as 89% of demolitions here are.
This one49d
Council57d
UK56d
49%decided within 8 weeks
89%approved
121decided in the last year
Plota live figures for demolitions decided by Westminster in the last twelve months, from validation. Westminster decision record →
Public comments
No public comments yet.
23 neighbours consulted · Last counted 22 Sept 2026
Consultation & key dates
- Alt. reference
- PP-15107419
- Planning Portal ref
- PP-15107419
- Comments by
- 16 Sept 2026
- Site or press notice
- 26 Aug 2026
- Env. assessment
- No
Historical activity at this location
37 previous applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.
This property
Previous applications at this address
2024
Amendments to planning permission dated 10th February 2023 (RN 22/05329/FULL) for the Alt…
2024
Details of a written scheme of investigation pursuant to Condition 4 (part), and details…
2024
Approved
Raise mulberry (T9) to 2.5m over paving (pruning small diameter branches only, diameter u…
2024
Approved
Magnolia (T1) - Remove two selected branches (dia <70mm) identified on the submitted phot…
2022
Erection of 3-storey extension to Piccadilly Building to east and south and addition of n…
2022
Approved
1 x Box Elder (T2): Reduce crown to previous most recent points 1 x Mulberry (T9): Reduce…
2022
Approved
6 x London plane trees (T1, T3, T4, T5, T7, T8): Reduce back to previous most recent poin…
2020
Approved
1 x London plane (T004): Reduce selected branches on western aspect beyond previous pruni…
2019
Approved
1 x London Plane (T004): Reduce pollard regrowth back to 0.5m from scaffolding as indicat…
2019
Approved
1 x London Plane (T004): Reduce pollard regrowth back to 0.5m from scaffolding as indicat…
2018
Approved
1 x London plane T1 (TPO8): Reduce crown to previous most recent reduction points1 x Lond…
2018
Approved
1 x ash leaved maple T3: Reduce crown to previous most recent reduction points1 x London…
Within ~100m
Nearby activity
2025
Airwork House 35 Piccadilly London
Display of non illuminated hoarding wrap measuring 2.44m x 14.67m, 2.44m x 6.72m to 33-35…
2025
Telecommunications Mast 81 - 84 Jermyn Street London
Removal of 6 existing antennas to be replaced with 8 new antennas (overall antenna height…
2025
Sackville House 40 Piccadilly London W1J 0DR
Design changes within Sackville House in association with works approved under listed bui…
2025
Pegasus House 37 - 43 Sackville Street London W1S 3EH
Creation of waste and cycle store at ground floor level, creation of associated ventilati…
2025
Approved
36 Jermyn Street London SW1Y 6DN
Display of externally illuminated Christmas decorations and lighting measuring 0.75m x 3…
2025
Approved
Sackville House 40 Piccadilly London W1J 0DR
Design changes within Sackville House in association with works approved under listed bui…
2025
Approved
Princes House 38 Jermyn Street London SW1Y 6DN
Regulation 5 Notice of Intention to Install Fixed Line Broadband Apparatus to a Listed Bu…
2025
Approved
Sackville House 40 Piccadilly London W1J 0DR
Display of non-illuminated hoarding on the footway along the Picadilly frontage measuring…
2025
193 Piccadilly London W1J 9EU
Installation of one air conditioning condenser unit to the rear at ground floor level (re…
2025
193 Piccadilly London W1J 9EU
Installation of one air conditioning condenser unit to the rear at ground floor level (re…
2025
Ground Floor 4 - 5 Albany Courtyard W1J 0HF
Works to be carried out: -Carry out an overall crown reduction by reducing height and ave…
2025
192 Piccadilly London W1J 9ET
Internal alteration and refurbishment of the existing retail unit and installation of new…
2025
192 Piccadilly London W1J 9ET
Internal alteration and refurbishment of the existing retail unit, and installation of ne…
2024
1 A Block Albany W1J 0AL
Internal alterations and minor external alterations on the side elevation of Melbourne Ho…
2024
1 A Block Albany W1J 0AL
Refurbishment, internal alterations and minor external alterations. (Linked with 24/08059…
2024
1 Albany Courtyard W1J 0HA
Installation of new vehicular and pedestrian entrance gates to the forecourt of The Alban…
2024
1 Albany Courtyard W1J 0HA
Installation of new vehicular and pedestrian entrance gates to the forecourt of The Alban…
2024
Sackville House 40 Piccadilly London W1J 0DR
Updated scope of demolition within Sackville House, in association with works approved un…
2024
Approved
95 Jermyn Street London SW1Y 6JE
Display of non-illuminated mesh and vinyl advertisements on hoardings measuring 2.44m x 0…
2024
7 - 9 Swallow Street London W1B 4DE
Use of an area of the public highway measuring 14m x 0.87m for the placing of 4 tables an…
2022
Approved
198 Piccadilly London W1J 9EZ
Display of three externally illuminated fascia signs measuring 2.06m x 0.86m, two externa…
2022
Approved
2 - 4 Princes Arcade London SW1Y 6DS
Installation of a double-height glazed door to Piccadilly facade. (Linked with 22/07048/F…
2022
Approved
2 - 4 Princes Arcade London SW1Y 6DS
Installation of a double-height glazed door to Piccadilly facade.
2022
Approved
15 A Block Albany London W1J 0AL
Widening of windows at first floor level and internal works.
2022
Approved
15 A Block Albany London W1J 0AL
Widening of windows at first floor level and internal works.
Westminster
Planning Authority Score
3.5/10
Below average
#221 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Householder decisions
Westminster is slower than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #258 out of 296. Only 28% of applications have the time limit extended, well below the 41% national average - the council usually decides on time. Westminster is also one of the strictest councils - it refuses more householder applications than almost any other, with only 81% approved vs 90% nationally.
One of the strictest councils
only 81% approved vs 90% nationally
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application.
View full council performance
Westminster decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
86%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #201 of 296
81%
Householder approved
Below avg (90%) #277 of 296
44%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #258 of 296
28%
Extended time limit
Below avg (41%) #46 of 296
83%
Minor dwellings approved
12 decided (1-9 homes)
67%
Major dwellings approved
3 decided (10+ homes)
81%
Change of use approved
133 decided
4,602
Total decisions
648 refused in the year to March 2026
Freehold boundary: © Crown copyright and database rights 2026, HM Land Registry. Polygons © Crown copyright and database rights 2026 Ordnance Survey 100026316. Conditions of use
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St James's Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9ET
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