Community hub alterations at Marley House, Kensington, London W11

What was proposed

The application sought changes to air-conditioning units, acoustic enclosures, windows, louvres and suspended-ceiling sound insulation.

“/PP/25/03634:1 THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE 09/09/2025 REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR, PLANNING AND PLACE Application: PP/25/03634 Agenda Item: N096 Address:Marley House, St Ann's Road, LONDON W11 4DH Proposal: Variation of condition 2 (compliance with approved drawings) and condition 3 (Sound Insulation) of planning permission 23/05597 (Change of use of the storage space to a community hub; installation of double glazed window panes to…”

“4.3This application seeks a minor material amendment under Section 73 of the Town and Country PlanningAct 1990 by way of variationof condition 2 (relating to the approved plans) of permission ref. PP/23/05597. The extant permission carries significant weight in the determination of this application. Thechanges to the scheme include: ·To amend the type and size of the A/C units and their acoustic enclosure with an increase in size.”

Officer report

The site

Marley House is a ten-storey residential building on the Henery Dickens Court estate, with access from several elevations.

“/PP/25/03634:2 · The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (the Council) is the applicant. 3.The site and its surroundings 3.1 The application site is located to the west of Sirdar Road to the rear of Oliver House, which fronts the road, and the east of St Ann’s Road. The site forms part of the Henery Dickens Court (residential) Estate. Marley House is a ten-storey building which houses residential flats.”

Officer report

Earlier permission

Permission was granted for a community hub and related accessibility, window, door, kitchenette, toilet and air-conditioning works.

“4.The proposal and any relevant planning history 4.1The previous proposal saught to change the use of the southern end of the ground floor of Marley House to a ‘community hub’. The current use of this area is for ancillary residential storage and a small office area. 4.2To facilitate the change of use the following works were proposed and granted: ·Installation of an external ramp to the entrance to the southern elevation to allow for wheelchair access.”

“/PP/25/03634:3 4.5The relevant planning history is set out below: ReferenceDescriptionDecision PP/23/05597 Change of use of the storage space to a community hub; installation of double glazed window panes to enhance thermal efficiency; construction of a ramp to the main entrance for wheelchair accessibility; installation of automatic power assisted door to the main entrance and installation of two AC condenser units to the side elevation Granted 01/02/2024 CON/25/01271…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

No notified neighbours commented, while Environmental Health found the plant could meet noise requirements with mitigation and conditions.

“6.11Considerable importance and weight has been attached to and special attention has been paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the nearby conservation areas, under s.72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, as amended.”

“Other consultees and organisations ConsulteeComment Where in the report this is considered Director of Environmental Health The plant noise assessment has been produced detailing the baseline noise levels for the proposed operation of the unit and associated plant.”

Officer report

Public speaking

There were no speakers for the application.

The committee vote

The committee unanimously agreed to grant planning permission with the conditions in the officer recommendation.

“Resolved unanimously: that planning permission be granted with the conditions in section 9 of the officer report.”

Minutes

Permission conditions

The permission included conditions on approved drawings, sound insulation, operating hours, noise, vibration, cycle storage and plant operation.

“3.Sound Insulation The development hereby approved shall not be occupied until the scheme of sound insulation between the application site and the flat above, as detailed in the Hann Tucker Associates Technical Memorandum, ref HT:31033/PTM1, dated 25 June 2025, is implemented in full andthereafter permanently retained.”

“/PP/25/03634:7 the plant is determined by the local planning authority to be failing to comply with this condition, it shall be switched off upon written instruction from the local planning authority and not used again until it is able to comply. Reason - To prevent any significant disturbance to residents of nearby properties and comply with development plan policies, in particular policies CD9 and GB8 of the Local Plan 2024.”

Officer report