Novello Theatre 5 Aldwych London WC2B 4LD Data via plota.co.uk

26/05012/FULL - Full Planning Permission Application Pending
Listed buildings

Proposal

Repairs to the external building fabric across all external elevations and the roof; replacement of mechanical ventilation plant and within an acoustic enclosure; and erection of a garden room and terrace at roof level. (Linked with 26/05013/LBC) Data via plota.co.uk

Track application Save this application and get an email when its status or decision changes. Alerts nearby Get email alerts for new planning applications near this address.
View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

✓
Received
27 Jul 2026
Decision
Expected by 21 Sept 2026

Under consideration

No decision has been issued yet. Plota predicted a decision around 9 Oct 2026; it is now day 74.

Documents 52

Statements & assessments 4

PDF DESIGN STATEMENT PART 1 Design and Access Statement · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF DESIGN STATEMENT PART 2 Design and Access Statement · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF HERITAGE STATEMENT Heritage Statement · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT Noise impact assessment · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗

Plans & drawings 36

PDF LOCATION PLAN Location Plan · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF BLOCK PLAN Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING LAYOUTS SHEET 1 Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING LAYOUTS SHEET 2 Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING LAYOUTS SHEET 3 Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING LAYOUTS SHEET 4 Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING ELEVATIONS Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF DEMOLITION AND ALTERATIONS PLAN Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT WITH BALCONY Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT DECKING Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT DIMENSIONS OF GARDEN AREA Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT ROOF AREA OF ENCLOSURE. Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF PROPOSED GENERAL ELEVATIONS. Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL ARRANGEMENT & ELEVATIONS PLANT ENCLOSURE. Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF ELEVATION GARDEN ROOM Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL SECTION GARDEN ROOM Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF GENERAL SECTION GARDEN ROOM Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF PROPOSED WORKS - LOCATION AND EXTENT TAVISTOCK STREET ELEVATION Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF PROPOSED WORKS - LOCATION AND EXTENT CATHERINE STREET ELEVATION Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF PROPOSED WORKS - LOCATION AND EXTENT NOVELLO ROOF Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING ELEVATION TAVISTOCK STREET Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING ELEVATION CATHERINE STREET 1 OF 2 Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING ELEVATION CATHERINE STREET 2 OF 2 Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF EXISTING ELEVATION ALDWYCH Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF LIVING WALL & ASTROTURF AREA Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF HARD LANDSCAPING Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF CAPING DETAIL. Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF STAIRCASE AND BALCONY Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF DETAILS. Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF WINDOW DETAILS. Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL OF PLANT ENCLOSURE Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF SECONDARY GLAZING JOINERY DETAILS Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF NOVELLO WINDOWS Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF NOVELLO WINDOWS Drawing · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗

Application forms 2

PDF APPLICATIONFORMREDACTED Application Form · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF FEECALCULATION Background Papers · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗

Consultation & comments 1

PDF NEIGHBOUR NOTIFICATION LETTER (21D) Background Papers · 30 Jul 2026 View ↗

Other documents 9

PDF ACK-GENERAL LETTER (G/P/C) Background Papers · 30 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF CNSLT-LA SOCIETY Background Papers · 30 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF CNSLT-LA SOCIETY Background Papers · 30 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF SITE NOTICE 21 OR 28 DAYS IF T&C APPL. Background Papers · 30 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF ATTACHMENTSUMMARY Background Papers · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF SCHEDULE OF WORKS Other · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF DOCUMENTATION SCHEDULE Other · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF INTERIM EXTERNAL INSPECTIONS Other · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗ PDF COVER LETTER Other · 27 Jul 2026 View ↗

All documents on the council site ↗

Associated applications 2

Site constraints 10

Grade II listed: Novello Theatre
List entry 1066493 · The pin is inside its outline · 41 more listed buildings within 150 m (3 Grade I, 1 Grade II*, 36 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 41 with distances
Historic England ↗
Strand 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.
Council document ↗
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 1.2
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.
Council record ↗
National infrastructure project 124 m away: Thames Tideway Tunnel
The site is 124 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, 345 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.
Planning Inspectorate project page ↗
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.
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
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.

Work with planning data?

Every application in Westminster - and every UK council - as a live feed, an API, or a bulk CSV export.

About Plota's data service

Nearby new applications

6 Oct 2026Pending

Travelodge Hotel 10 Drury Lane London WC2B 5RE

Details as required by condition 5 (green/blue roofs), 7 (sustainable drainage) ...

2026/4316/P
5 Oct 2026Pending

Flat 5 19 Buckingham Street London WC2N 6EG

Replacement of an air conditioning unit to lightwell wall at fourth floor level ...

26/06764/LBC
3 Sept 2026Pending

430 Strand London WC2R 0QN

Display of internally illuminated fascia sign measuring 0.15m x 1.50m and two in...

26/06034/ADV
5 Oct 2026Pending

430 Strand London WC2R 0QN

Retrospective consent sought for new internally located illuminated signage and ...

26/06787/LBC
5 Oct 2026Pending

24 Endell Street London WC2H 9HQ

Relocation of three air conditioning condenser units to first floor roof, constr...

2026/4141/P
14 Jul 2026Pending

The London Television Centre 60 - 72 Upper Ground London SE1 9LT

Approval of details pursuant to condition 13 (Construction Noise Attenuation) fo...

26/02048/DET

Important details

Council
Westminster
Application type
Full Planning Permission Application
Postcode
WC2B 4LD
Received
27 Jul 2026
Validated
27 Jul 2026
Ward
St James's
Case officer
Show
Target decision
21 Sept 2026
Applicant
Show

Decision outlook

Day 74, past the statutory target. 83% of listed building works in Westminster are decided within thirteen weeks, which runs to 26 Oct 2026; extensions of time are common, and the council need not decide on the day. Last seen undecided on 7 Oct 2026.

Day 7418 days past the 56-day target
57%decided within 8 weeks
90%approved
1,558decided in the last year

Plota live figures for listed building works decided by Westminster in the last twelve months, from validation. Westminster decision record →

Public comments

No public comments yet.

12 neighbours consulted · Last counted 7 Oct 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Alt. reference
PP-15105198
Planning Portal ref
PP-15105198
Env. assessment
No

Historical activity at this location

50 previous applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.

This property

Previous applications at this address

2025
Alterations to the internal layout of the fourth-floor 'Novello Flat'; installation of a…
25/05853/LBC
2025 Withdrawn
Alterations to the internal layout of the fourth-floor 'Novello Flat'; installation of a…
25/04246/LBC
2023 Approved
Internal and external alterations including new lift shaft within rear lightwell, new sta…
23/05676/LBC
2023 Approved
Alterations including new lift shaft within rear lightwell, rear fourth floor extension…
23/05675/FULL
2023 Approved
Creation of balcony-level Ladies WCs (converting current storeroom) and introduction of b…
23/02876/LBC
2021 Approved
Layout alterations to allow revised design of the apartment entrance lobby.
21/05438/LBC
2021 Approved
Variation of condition 1 of planning permission dated 14 November 2019 (RN: 19/00248/FULL…
21/05296/FULL
2021 Withdrawn
Remodelling of the internal entrance lobby to the Novello Flat.
21/08492/LBC
2020 Approved
Variation of condition 1 of listed building consent dated 9 September 2020 (RN 20/01825/L…
20/03480/LBC
2020 Approved
Variation of condition 1 of planning permission dated 14 November 2019 (RN 19/00248/FULL)…
20/03479/FULL
2020 Approved
Variation of condition 1 of listed building consent dated 14 November 2019 (RN: 19/00249/…
20/01825/LBC
2020 Withdrawn
Variation of condition 1 and 4(c) of listed building consent dated 14 November 2019 (RN…
20/00820/LBC
2019 Approved
Removal of fourth floor plaster ceilings
19/09211/LBC
2019 Approved
Internal and external alterations to third and fourth floors and roof to create a single…
19/00249/LBC
2019 Approved
Use of the third and fourth floor to residential (C3 Use). Internal and external alterati…
19/00248/FULL
2019 Approved
Internal alterations to and refurbishment of Stage Door entrance lobby and office.
19/04157/LBC
2019 Withdrawn
Refurbishment of Stage Door Area and installation of a new internal door to Stage Door Ke…
19/04156/FULL
2019 Approved
Internal alterations including the addition of partitions within the Grand Circle and Dre…
19/02266/LBC
2019 Approved
Internal alterations and refurbishment to the foyer box office.
19/03938/LBC
2018 Approved
Improvements to main entrance steps.
18/02230/LBC
2025 Approved
Amendments to planning permission dated 17 April 2024 (RN:23/05675/FULL) for alterations…
25/05479/NMA
2025 Refused
Amendments to planning permission dated 17 April 2024 (RN: 23/05675/FULL) for: Alteration…
25/04827/NMA
2022 Approved
Reinstatement / restoration of Novello decorative scheme to two principal fourth floor ro…
22/00751/ADLBC
2022 Approved
Details of Reinstatement / restoration of Novello decorative scheme, pursuant to conditio…
22/00720/ADFULL
2019
Details of new and altered windows, doors and rooflights, decorative internal plasterwork…
19/09986/ADLBC
Within ~100m

Nearby activity

2025
49 Aldwych London WC2B 4DF
Double sided projecting LED sign and two street level LED signs either side of the foyer…
25/08293/LBC
2025 Refused
Basement And Ground Floor 40 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PB
Display of one non illuminated projecting sign measuring 0.9m x 0.6m.
25/05066/ADV
2025
49 Aldwych London WC2B 4DF
Display of internally illuminated LED projecting digital screen measuring 3.24m x 2.56m a…
25/05608/ADV
2025
Novello Theatre 5 Aldwych WC2B 4LD
Refurbishment of existing stage lantern (smoke vent) set on the roof of the theatre fly t…
25/03154/LBC
2025
Novello Theatre 5 Aldwych WC2B 4LD
Refurbishment of existing stage lantern (smoke vent) set on the roof of the theatre fly t…
25/03153/FULL
2025
38 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PB
Retention of secondary glazing to front second floor windows.
25/00716/LBC
2025
Bus Shelter Outside Aldwych Theatre Aldwych
Display of internally illuminated dynamic display with automatic rotation images measurin…
25/00280/ADV
2025
Theatre Royal Catherine Street London WC2B 5JF
Variation of condition 5 of planning permission dated 28th March 2023 (RN:23/00789/FULL)…
25/00227/FULL
2024
Basement And Ground Floor 42 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PB
Internal and external alterations including relocation of the main entrance to corner and…
24/08195/LBC
2024
Basement And Ground Floor 42 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PB
Display of three externally illuminated fascia signs and one non illuminated hanging sign…
24/08196/ADV
2024
Basement And Ground Floor 42 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PB
External alterations including relocation of the main entrance to corner. (Linked 24/0819…
24/08194/FULL
2024
1 Aldwych WC2B 4BZ
Internal alterations, inlcuding works to create new ceiling feature in Lobby Bar, small a…
24/07783/LBC
2024
1 Aldwych WC2B 4BZ
The reconfiguration and redesign for part of Basement Level B1 of the hotel.
24/06530/LBC
2024
28 Wellington Street London WC2E 7BD
Display of externally illuminated fascia sign measuring 11.02m X 0.39m, 8.925m X 0.39m, e…
24/06265/ADV
2024 Approved
17 - 21 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PS
Display of three externally illuminated fascia signs; two measuring 35cm x 135.7cm and on…
24/05753/ADV
2024
Basement And Ground Floor 40 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PB
Display of externally-illuminated fascia signs measuring 0.84m x 0.85m, 1.223m x 0.51m, 0…
24/05230/ADV
2024
Basement And Ground Floor 40 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PB
Installation of signage; internal alterations including decorating, plumbing, tiling, joi…
24/05229/LBC
2024
13 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PS
External alterations to include the installation of new sliding sash windows at ground fl…
24/05187/FULL
2024
13 Tavistock Street London WC2E 7PS
Internal refurbishment at the ground and first-floor level to include the replacement of…
24/05188/LBC
2024
2 - 4 Catherine Street London WC2B 5JY
Use of an area of the public highway measuring 0.9m x 11.6m for the placing of 7 tables a…
24/03357/TCH
2020 Approved
Waldorf Hotel Aldwych London WC2B 4DD
Use of two areas of the public highway measuring 12.8m x 1.5m and 13.2m x 1.5m for the pl…
20/01015/TCH
2019 Approved
Theatre Royal Catherine Street London WC2B 5JF
Variation of condition 17 of listed building consent dated 19 August 2019 (RN: 19/03229/L…
19/08783/LBC
2019 Approved
Theatre Royal Catherine Street London WC2B 5JF
Variation of condition 22 of planning permission dated 16 November 2018 (RN: 18/07079/FUL…
19/08785/FULL
2020 Approved
38-40 Wellington Street London WC2E 7BD
Use of three areas of the public highway measuring 3.32m x 1.2m, 1.35m x 1.35m and 3.58m…
20/00663/TCH
2019 Approved
28 Wellington Street London WC2E 7BD
Use of an area of the public highway measuring 0.96m x 6.85m on the Wellington Street fro…
19/09677/TCH
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
Source: MHCLG planning statistics · See full council rankings

Freehold boundary: © Crown copyright and database rights 2026, HM Land Registry. Polygons © Crown copyright and database rights 2026 Ordnance Survey 100026316. Conditions of use