Solar panels and rooflights at 8 Rabbit Row, Kensington, London W8

The site

The three-storey mews property forms part of a terrace, abuts a Grade II listed building and lies within a conservation area.

“/PP/25/04590:2 3.1 The subject mews property forms part of a terrace of four mews buildings, which are almost symmetrical in scale and appearance. It abuts Mall Chambers, a Grade II listed building. Each mews property comprises three storeys. 3.2The application site is not listed but is within the Kensington Palace Conservation Area.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered a roof lantern, a timber sliding sash window, and alterations to the access door, openings, roof and windows.

“Granted – 17/10/2011 PP/12/02301Installation of one timber framed sliding sash window to the rear elevation at ground floor level. Granted – 02/10/2012 PP/24/03896Alterations to access door and openings on the front elevation. Replacement of ground floor roof, replacement of 1no. rooflight and installation of 2no. additional rooflights. Replacement of windows with double glazed timber replicas of existing windows.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The decisive issues were the effect on the building and conservation area, and the protection of neighbouring living conditions.

“6.3The decisive issues are: iWhether the proposals would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the host building and the wider conservation area. iiWhether the proposals would protect the living conditions of surrounding neighbours. Design and Conservation 6.4 The proposed solar panels would be appropriately positioned within the flat parts of the mansard roof. The scale of the panels is proportionate to the large flat roof.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Fifty-seven nearby owners and occupiers were notified, and eleven letters objected to privacy, overlooking, design and ownership concerns.

“/PP/25/04590:4 and GB10. Issues and balancing 6.9 In light of the above, the proposed development would not materially impact upon the character or appearance of the existing building or surrounding area. The proposals would not materially impact light levels, cause a sense of enclosure or create harmful impact to neighbouring properties. The proposal would comply with Policies CD1, CD2, CD4, CD9, CD10, CD12, CD15, CD16, GB10 of the Local Plan 2024.”

“The application was advertised in the Gazette on 08/08/2025 A statutory notice advertising the application was posted near the site on 08/08/2025 8.211 letter(s) were received objecting to the application, summarised as: CommentResponse Concerns were raised that the proposed rear-facing windows could negatively impact living conditions by affecting privacy and causing overlooking, as well as harming the character and design of the rear wall The proposal was amended on 17th…”

Officer report

Speaking at the meeting

No speakers addressed the committee on this application.

The committee vote

The committee voted unanimously to approve planning permission with the conditions in the officer report.

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

Minutes