Rear extension and roof terrace at 20 Arundel Gardens, Kensington, London W11

The site and surroundings

The site is a six-storey building with five flats in a terrace group, beside a listed garden and within the Ladbroke Conservation Area.

“/PP/25/03731:2 3.The site and its surroundings 3.1 The subject site is a six-storey building containing five flats, located within a terrace group of 22 buildings in Notting Hill. The site backs on to the Arundel Elgin Listed Garden. 3.3There is a TPO on the site, but a site visit confirmed there are no mature trees on the site. The site is within the Ladbroke Conservation Area and within the Holland Park Critical Drainage Area.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers found that the revised design preserved heritage character and the listed garden setting, while maintaining nearby occupiers’ living conditions.

“The timber framed design would be in keeping with the character and appearance of the building and terrace group and is acceptable. 6.10With the revised changes to relocate the staircase and retain the existing sash window, the proposal given its design, materials, size, scale and location would continue to preserve the character, appearance and significance of the building, the wider terrace group and the Ladbroke Conservation Area; and would preserve the setting of the…”

“There would be mutual overlooking which is acceptable in accordance with policy CD9 of the Local Plan. 6.12The proposal would result in an increase in glazing, particularly at the lower ground floor rear elevation. there would be no unreasonable levels of light spill into any neighbouring properties since the glazing faces away from any neighbouring habitable spaces. The development is acceptable in accordance with Policy GB10.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Four objection letters, including one from the Ladbroke Association, raised concerns about the staircase, terrace, overlooking, noise, doors, windows and enclosure.

“Relocate the staircase to the corner formed by the new extension and existing side wall to reduce impact. New Side Doorway ·Replacing the current door and window with wider double doors would increase noise directed toward No. 18. ·The new opening allows direct views into the dining area from No. 18’s garden. ·The proposed location is further into the garden and more intrusive than existing openings. Please retain the current door and window configuration.”

“The extension would not result in an increased sense of enclosure when it is limited to the lower ground floor and does not extend past the neighbouring property’s closet wing. The new side doorway on the terrace is hidden from many viewpoints as it looks onto the brick wall of No. 18’s closet wing and is therefore acceptable. The occupiers already have access to this outdoor terrace area, therefore there would be no material increase in noise.”

Officer report

Other consultation responses

The Flood Officer had no objection, recommended permeable paving, and the Arboricultural Officer considered that trees would not be harmed.

“/PP/25/03731:7 ConsulteeComment Where in the report this is considered Gardens Trust No comments received. Other consultees and organisations ConsulteeComment Where in the report this is considered Flood Officer No objection to the proposals. The SuDS recommends permeable paving, which should be secured through the porous surfaces condition.”

Officer report

Speakers at the meeting

There were no speakers for this application.

The committee vote

The committee unanimously agreed to grant planning permission with the conditions recommended for the application.

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

Minutes