School external alterations at 15 Manresa Road, Chelsea, London SW3

“/PP/25/03422:1 THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE 09/09/2025 REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND PLACE Application: PP/25/03422 Agenda Item: S082 Address:15 Manresa Road, LONDON, SW3 6NB Proposal: Proposed removal of plant enclosure and associated air handling unit and pipework. Resurfacing of rear playground with a polymeric surface. Installation of new steps and handrail to part of ramp on north side of building.”

“/PP/25/03422:2 recommendation is to grant. 3.The site and its surroundings 3.1 The site is located on the southwestern side Manresa Road; the building is a Grade II* listed building and within the Chelsea Park Carlyle Conservation Area. 3.2The building was constructed as the Chelsea Public Library in 1890-1. Designed by J.M. Brydon the building is Italianate Baroque in type, in a High Victorian interpretation of this style.”

“Impact of proposal on significance 6.6The proposals are to the rear of the listed building, within the yard area, which is in use as the school playground, to the side of the building where there is a modern ramp, and to the rear elevation where there is existing plant and, in a location, where an A/C unit has recently been removed. 6.4The alterations affect modern fabric and have been designed to result in no impact on the listed building.”

“Living Conditions 6.5 The proposed development seeks minor ground level alterations to the rear outside area of the building. Due to the nature of the proposals and that it will remove unnecessary plant enclosure and equipment, replace and improve rear outside area surfacing (including steps and hand rail), and add condenser that will meet the noise SPD requirements. There would be no material impact on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers.”

“The application was advertised in the Gazette on 20/6/25 A statutory notice advertising the application was posted near the site on 20/6/25 8.24 letters were receivedobjecting the application, summarised as: CommentResponse 1 Incorrect use of the rear yard as a playground and not in compliance with the restriction of the lease “Not to use the rear garden in such a way as to generate an unreasonable amount of noise or for sporting activities and to ensure the supervision by…”

“/PP/25/03422:6 Health Conservation and Design Officer No objections, subject to conditions and informatives Section 6 9.Recommended conditions if the application is granted 1.Time limit (Full PP) The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission. Reason - As required by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to avoid the accumulation of unexercised planning permissions.”

“PP/25/03422 - Resolved unanimously: i. to add the following condition regarding hardstanding: “Within 3 months of the date of this permission, details of the hardsurfacing shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority to demonstrate the degree of permeability. Noting the surface is in place, if it cannot be demonstrated that the surface is porous or permeable, details of a surface water drainage strategy shall be submitted at the same time.”