Three self-contained flats at 97 Devonshire Road, Chiswick, London W4

What was proposed

The application proposed extensions, balconies, roof lights and alterations to convert the building into three self-contained flats.

“P/2025/0646 Address: Devonshire Road, W4 2HU Ward: Chiswick Gunnersbury Proposal: Erection of a rear roof extension with four front roof lights and rear balcony, erection of a single storey front bay extension, alterations to the front boundary treatment and front elevation of the building. Installation of a balcony to first floor rear with alterations to the windows.”

“Drawing numbers: See end of report Application received: March 2025 This application is being presented to Planning Committee following a call in from Councillor Biddolph 1.0 SUMMARY 1.1 The proposal is for partial demolition of the existing ground floor rear extensions, erection of a single storey rear extension with roof lantern, erection of a single storey front bay extension and installation of a balcony and erection of a rear roof extension with four front roof lights…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a mixed-use two-storey building near Coombe Road, within the conservation area and Flood Zone 3, with good public transport access.

“The application is recommended for approval, subject to planning conditions 2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION 2.1 The site is midway through Devonshire Road, adjacent to the junction with Coombe Road and comprises a two-storey building with a pitched roof and a single storey rear extension which projects the full-length of the rear garden. The existing building is subdivided into a ground floor commercial premises and two self-contained flats, on the ground and first floors.”

“Like the application site, the frontage of the adjacent property to the south at number 101 Devonshire Road, is in part commercial and residential. The surrounding area is predominantly residential, with a mixture of two and three-storey terraced properties as well as some part-three and part-four-storey flatted blocks along Devonshire Road. To the rear of the site is Old Lock Mews, a short, independent residential street with its own rear access road, off Fraser Street.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application to change a workshop into a floatation therapy centre was approved in 2004.

“Figure 1: Site Location Plan 3.0 RELEVANT HISTORY 3.1 P/2004/1923 Change of use from workshop (B1) to a floatation therapy centre (D1)”

“APPROVED 04/05/2004 4.0 DETAILS OF PROPOSAL 4.1 This application seeks to create an additional self-contained flat. To facilitate this, the proposal is for partial demolition of the existing single storey rear extensions and in their place, erect a single storey rear extension with roof lantern. To the front, a single storey front bay extension would be erected. At first floor, a rear balcony would be installed.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The Environment Agency raised no objection, while 28 objections and nine support letters were received after neighbour re-notification.

“The application includes a Daylight and Sunlight Assessment. Neighbours were re- notified about the amendments to the application by way of letter. This application was placed on the Weekly Pending Decisions List (31 October 2025 to 7 November 2025 (Week 44) and was called in by Councillor Biddolph. The Environment Agency (EA) were notified raised no objection to the proposal.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Matthew Rees, Head of Development Management, presented the application and answered questions; Councillor Stroud-Turp left because he lived on Devonshire Road.

The committee’s discussion

Members heard that existing residents would retain parking-permit rights, new residents would not, business use would remain and the new footprint would be smaller.

“Matthew Rees, Head of Development Management, presented the report. He advised that the call-in had been withdrawn after the agenda had been published and so the Planning Committee could hear the Application and decide at the meeting or delegate authority to the case officer. The Committee unanimously chose to hear the Application.”

“Following questions [name withheld] advised that the site currently consisted of a commercial property with two residential units above. Residents of those two flats had access to permits for the Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) and would retain that right if permission were granted, however future occupants of the new flats would not be eligible for CPZ Permits. The existing large extension was to be demolished and business use retained in the area to the rear.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Bowring moved approval, seconded by Councillor Bruce, and members voted unanimously in favour.

“During debate Cllr Dan Bowring stated that he could see no planning refusals to refuse what he believed to be a good development.”

“Cllr Bowring moved approval of the officer’s recommendations seconded by Cllr Tom Bruce. Members voted unanimously to approve the recommendations.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning application P/2025/0646 was approved subject to planning conditions.

“Resolved – that planning application P/2025/0646, erection of a rear roof extension with four front roof lights and rear balcony, erection of a single storey front bay extension, alterations to the front boundary treatment and front elevation of the building. Installation of a balcony to first floor rear with alterations to the windows. Erection of a single storey rear extension with roof…”

Minutes