The Planning Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council met on Tuesday 24 February 2026 to discuss the proposed change of use for Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR. The committee refused planning permission for the conversion of the building into a hotel but granted conditional listed building consent for internal and external alterations.

Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR

The committee considered a proposal to change the use of Nobel House, a Grade II listed office building, into a 652-bedroom hotel with ancillary restaurant, bar, and cafe facilities. The plans also included a part single-storey roof extension, a new roof enclosure over the western atrium, and associated internal works.

Planning Permission Refused:

The committee unanimously refused planning permission for the hotel conversion. The primary reasons for refusal were:

• Contrary to Policy 19: The proposed hotel was deemed to be contrary to Policy 19 of the City Plan, which directs new hotels to commercial areas of the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) and discourages large, intensively used hotels in predominantly residential or mixed areas due to potential amenity impacts. Councillors expressed significant concerns about the scale of the hotel, with up to 1,332 guests potentially staying overnight, and its impact on the quiet character of the Smith Square Conservation Area and surrounding residential streets.
• Harm to Local Residents' Amenity: Councillors felt that the intensity of the proposed hotel use would cause significant harm to the amenity of local residents. Concerns were raised about increased traffic, noise from guests, luggage, and late-night activity, as well as the potential for increased congestion and disturbance. Councillor Elizabeth Hitchcock noted that the size of the hotel was disproportionate for the location and would not ensure a good quality of life for residents. Councillor Iman Less echoed these concerns, stating that the traffic management plan was insufficient and that the development would cause severe harm to residents in Smith Square and surrounding areas. Councillor James Small-Edwards also voted against, citing Policy 19g which directs new hotels to commercial areas of the CAZ, and stating that the application did not offer sufficient benefits to justify contravening policy. Councillor Robert Rigby also voted against, citing concerns about residential amenity and an over-reliance on the operational management plan.

Listed Building Consent Granted:

Despite the refusal of planning permission for the hotel use, the committee granted conditional listed building consent for the internal and external alterations. The Design Officer, Andrew Barber, indicated that the proposed alterations were considered to have a neutral impact on the heritage asset, with any minor harm being outweighed by the heritage and design benefits of opening up the building to public use. The committee was satisfied that the proposals would preserve the building's special architectural and historic interest.

Key Discussions and Concerns:

• Loss of Office Space: The applicant argued that Nobel House was surplus office space, having been vacant since May 2024 and extensively marketed without success. An independent surveyor appointed by the Council supported this view, citing the building's deep floor plates, poor daylighting, and unsuitability for modern office requirements, exacerbated by its listed status. Objectors, however, presented their own marketing assessment and argued that the building could be refurbished for office use.
• Traffic and Highways: Significant concerns were raised regarding traffic generation, particularly from taxis, private hire vehicles, and servicing. While the proposal aimed to direct all guest access through the Millbank entrance to protect the quieter Smith Square area, objectors argued that this was impractical and that vehicles would inevitably use surrounding residential streets. The Highways Officer noted that while the overall trip generation might not be substantially different from the office use, the timing of trips would change, with more evening and weekend activity. A condition was proposed to prohibit coach parties and a Section 106 agreement was required to secure highway alterations for taxi drop-offs on Dean Stanley Street.
• Amenity Impacts: Residents raised numerous objections concerning noise, odour, litter, and general disturbance from hotel guests and operations. The committee acknowledged that the hotel's intensity would have an impact on residential amenity, but officers believed that conditions and an operational management plan could mitigate these impacts to an acceptable level. However, several councillors felt these measures were insufficient.
• Security: The Metropolitan Police's Designing Out Crime Officers requested that 'Secured by Design' accreditation be secured by condition, which was considered to adequately mitigate crime risks. Concerns about national security and the impact of major events on Millbank were also raised but given limited weight.
• Ancillary Uses: The proposal included a restaurant, bar, and cafe open to the public. A condition was proposed to limit non-hotel guest access to these facilities to between midnight and 7 am to protect residential amenity.

Speakers:

• In Support: Thomas Rowland (Criterion Capital), Chris Beard (DP9)
• In Objection: John Lovell (local resident and chartered surveyor), Nicholas Underhill (local resident), Glen Murphy (Thorney Island Society), Councillor Tim Mitchell (Ward Councillor).

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Patrick Lilley. Councillor James Small-Edwards substituted for Councillor MD Shamsed Chowdhury. Councillor Tim Mitchell declared an interest as a Trustee of the Westminster Society but did not participate in their discussions or vote on their submissions.