The Planning Sub-Committee (1) was scheduled to consider three planning applications, including a significant redevelopment project in Soho, a retrospective application for a building in Wigmore Street, and a proposal to convert a vacant unit into a hot food takeaway. The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes of previous meetings.

Century House, Soho Square

The committee was scheduled to consider a major redevelopment proposal at Century House, 31-32 Soho Square, encompassing 65-66 Frith Street, 22-25 Dean Street, and 10 Chapone Place. The application involved the part demolition and redevelopment of these buildings to provide new office and retail uses (Use Class E), alongside improvements to the public realm in Chapone Place.

The report pack indicated that the proposal was recommended for conditional permission, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement. This agreement was to secure several benefits, including the provision of affordable workspace, financial contributions towards a Carbon Offset Fund and local employment initiatives, highway works, and a walkways agreement for access through Chapone Place. The report also detailed extensive considerations regarding land use, environment and sustainability, townscape, design, heritage impact, residential amenity, transportation, and economy.

Key considerations included the justification for demolition under Policy 43 of the City Plan, the sustainability of the proposal, and its impact on the Soho Conservation Area. The report noted that while the development was considered to cause less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of the Soho Conservation Area, this harm was to be weighed against significant public benefits, such as the provision of modern office accommodation, affordable workspace, and public realm enhancements.

18, 20 and 22 Wigmore Street

The committee was scheduled to consider a retrospective application for development at 18, 20 and 22 Wigmore Street, located within the Harley Street Conservation Area. The proposal involved the demolition behind a retained front façade, flank walls, and partial retention of the core and roof, with the reprovision of a building comprising lower ground, ground, and first to fifth floors, including extensions to the rear. The use of the lower floors was proposed as dual/alternative office (Class E), retail (Class E), or a sui generis use including a piano showroom, recital room, and restaurant. The upper floors were proposed for residential use.

The report indicated a recommendation to refuse planning permission due to design and amenity concerns, specifically regarding the extent of demolition and the volume of plant installed at the rear first-floor level. The report highlighted that the plant installation was considered visually intrusive and cluttered, detracting from the character and appearance of the Harley Street Conservation Area. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the potential for unacceptable noise impacts on neighbouring residential properties, with Environmental Health maintaining an objection due to insufficient evidence of compliance with noise criteria.

60 - 62 Page Street

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the use of the vacant unit at 60 - 62 Page Street as a hot food takeaway, to be amalgamated with the existing café at 17-19 Regency Street. This would create a mixed-use café and hot food takeaway unit (sui generis), along with a replacement shopfront.

The report indicated a recommendation to grant conditional permission. Key considerations included the acceptability of the takeaway use in land use terms, the design of the shopfront, and the impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties. Objections had been received from residents concerning potential noise and disturbance from customers, delivery drivers, cooking fumes, and odours, particularly given the proximity of residential properties. The applicant had amended the shopfront design and proposed revised opening hours in response to these concerns. Conditions were recommended to address issues such as customer queuing on the pavement, the operation of a delivery service, and the management of the extraction system to mitigate odour impacts.

Minutes of Previous Meetings

The committee was also scheduled to review and sign the minutes of the previous Planning Sub-Committee (1) meetings held on 18 August 2026 and 15 September 2026.