The Conservation and Heritage Advisory Committee met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to discuss several planning applications and review recent decisions. The committee provided comments on applications for land adjacent to Creative House, land to the rear of 2 Altenburg Gardens, and 215 Franciscan Road, with significant concerns raised about the proposed developments. They also discussed an application for Flat C, 25 Prince of Wales Drive, which was met with strong objections.

Land Adjacent to Creative House, 124b Prince of Wales Drive

The committee discussed an application for the demolition of a single-storey building and the erection of four four-storey townhouses on land adjacent to Creative House. The proposed development is situated on the southeastern tip of the Battersea Park Conservation Area. While the design aimed to incorporate elements of the surrounding Victorian architecture, including crow-stepped gables, members expressed reservations. Councillor Charlie Fisher supported the proposal, noting the eclectic mix of buildings in the area and the modern, potentially unattractive, nature of Creative House itself. However, Mr. Roger Armstrong and Mr. Peter Farrow of the Wandsworth Society felt the design did not sit comfortably within the site and did not relate well to the adjacent buildings, suggesting a more integrated block design would have been preferable. Councillor Chris Baron echoed concerns that the design was a poor imitation rather than true integration. The committee ultimately decided to comment on the application, with particular focus on the roof design and the attempt at a stepped gable, suggesting further work on these aspects. There was also a question regarding car parking, with confirmation that only secure cycle storage would be provided, no car parking spaces.

Land to Rear of 2 Altenburg Gardens

The committee considered an application for alterations to existing workshop and office buildings to create three residential units. The site is located within the Clapham Common Conservation Area. Mr. Roger Armstrong highlighted the historical significance of the site, noting its association with Adam Worth, the inspiration for Conan Doyle's Professor Moriarty. He suggested that the developer should be encouraged to reference this history on the site. Ms. Libby Lawson and Ms. Frances Radcliffe of the Battersea Society raised concerns about the clarity of the drawings and the potential impact on neighbouring residents regarding overlooking, loss of daylight, and sunlight. They advocated for better drawings from the developer and for these concerns to be addressed. Mr. Edward Potter also found the drawings difficult to interpret and questioned the relationship of the warehouse building to its neighbours. The committee agreed that while there were no significant conservation issues, better drawings were needed, and the concerns of local residents regarding amenity needed to be taken seriously. There was also a suggestion to record the Moriarty connection, potentially through plaques, to enhance the area's interest.

215 Franciscan Road

This application involved the demolition of single-storey garages and the erection of a single-storey rear extension, a cycle store, a dormer roof extension, and a circular window to the rear gable. The property is an end-of-terrace dwelling within the Totterdown Fields Estate Conservation Area. Ms. Libby Lawson expressed concerns about the proposed green hedging on the plans, noting the current paneled fencing and the importance of hedging within the conservation area. Mr. Edward Potter and Ms. Frances Radcliffe were critical of the design of the windows and the conservatory, describing them as very poor. Ms. Lawson also raised serious reservations about the proposed dormer, stating it was unacceptable and peculiarly unnecessary, suggesting alternative ways to gain headroom. She also objected to the circular window, deeming it completely alien to the estate and intrusive. The committee ultimately decided to object to the dormer and the circular window, while welcoming the removal of the garages and the proposed brick boundary wall. They also suggested that fewer than three roof lights might be sufficient.

Flat C, 25 Prince of Wales Drive

The committee strongly objected to an application for alterations to a semi-detached Victorian house, including the replacement of a hipped roof with a roof extension to create an additional floor of accommodation and the formation of front and rear roof terraces. The property is located within the Battersea Park Conservation Area. Mr. Roger Armstrong described the proposal as a monstrosity, arguing that it would destroy the symmetry of the pair of houses and was a savage alteration to the conservation area. Councillor Rex Osborn and Ms. Frances Radcliffe agreed, with Ms. Radcliffe calling it a travesty to destroy the symmetry. Councillor Charlie Fisher questioned the consistency of the proposal with the conservation area's appraisal and management strategy, which prioritises rear loft extensions. Ms. Radcliffe also noted that the proposal was contrary to local plan policies and described the application as monstrous. Concerns were also raised about the extensive rear roof terrace and its potential intrusiveness.

Other Matters Discussed

The committee also reviewed Paper No. 26-190, which reported on recent decisions on planning applications previously considered by the committee. They noted the refusal of applications for garages west of 61 to 67 The Limes and land adjoining 99 Derinton Road, with appeals lodged against these decisions. The committee also noted the withdrawal of an application for the Lennox Estate and the approval of applications for Riversdale Primary School.

During Any Other Business, the Chair, Dr. Michael Jubb, raised concerns about upcoming changes to planning application procedures, specifically regarding the delegation of powers to officers and the potential exclusion of certain applications from committee consideration from November onwards. He requested a report on how the council planned to proceed under the new national scheme of delegation.