The Planning Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council met on 22 July 2025 to consider five planning applications. These included a major development at Hanover Square and several smaller applications relating to properties in the Belgravia and Soho Conservation Areas.

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to:

• Note any changes to membership.
• Receive declarations of interest from members and officers.
• Approve the minutes from the meeting held on 10 June 2025¹.

Hanover Square

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for the partial demolition, refurbishment, and extension of the existing building at 1 Hanover Square, London, W1S 1HA. The proposal included:

• A sub-basement, basement, ground plus eight-storey building.
• Infilling and stepped rear extension.
• Excavation of a new sub-basement level.
• Installation of new plant equipment at basement and roof level.
• Terraces at fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth-floor levels.
• Soft and hard landscaping.
• Reprovision of car parking.
• New cycle parking facilities.
• Associated external works.
• Use of the building for retail and/or restaurant (Class E²) on part of the ground floor and office (Class E) on all other floors.

The report noted that the building was purpose-built for Condé Nast in 1958 and served as their headquarters until 2024. The scheme proposed a deep retrofit with extension retaining 62% of the existing building.

Key considerations included:

• Whether the extent of demolition of the existing building was justified from a circular economy and sustainability perspective.
• The acceptability of the energy performance of the proposed altered and extended building.
• The impact of the extended building on the character and appearance of the Mayfair Conservation Area and the setting of nearby designated heritage assets, such as the Grade I listed St George's church.
• The acceptability of the additional floorspace and its use for retail and office purposes in this location.
• The acceptability of the proposal in amenity terms.
• The acceptability of the transport implications of the proposal.

The Director of Town Planning and Building Control was scheduled to recommend conditional permission, subject to a legal agreement to secure:

• A financial contribution of £250,965 (index linked) towards the City Council's Carbon Offset fund.
• A financial contribution of £141,350 (index linked) towards initiatives that provide local employment, training opportunities, and skills development, supporting the Westminster Employment Service.
• Monitoring and reporting on the actual operational energy performance of the building, including as-built and in-use stage data.
• All highway works immediately surrounding the site required for the development to occur prior to occupation of the development.
• Costs of the stopping-up process.
• The costs of monitoring the Section 106 agreement³.

The report stated that the proposed development would cause a moderate degree of less than substantial harm to the setting of the Grade I listed Church of St George and the setting of listed buildings on the western side of St George Street, but that this harm was outweighed by public benefits.

Victory House, 99 - 101 Regent Street

The Sub-Committee was to consider an application for external alterations at Victory House, 99 - 101 Regent Street, London, W1B 4EZ. The proposals included:

• External alterations at ground floor level on Swallow Street to include the removal of the restaurant entrance and creation of a new office entrance with a replacement canopy.
• Replacement of an existing step with a stone ramp.
• Installation of replacement plant equipment at the fifth-floor level and within the lift motor room.
• Alterations to the rear elevation on Sackville Street to include the installation of ventilation grilles in a number of windows.

The key issues outlined in the report were the acceptability of the proposed external works and the loss of the restaurant accommodation. The Director of Town Planning and Building Control was scheduled to recommend conditional planning permission and listed building consent.

The report noted that the property is a Grade II listed building within the Regent Street Conservation Area and the Central Activities Zone.

The London Pavillion, 1 Piccadilly

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application relating to The London Pavillion, 1 Piccadilly, London, W1J 0DA. The proposal was for the display of scaffolding shrouds with a 1:1 printed image of the building and three inset illuminated advertising areas measuring 10.9m x 9.0m, 7m x 9.0m and 10.9m x 9.0m respectively. The Director of Town Planning & Building Control was scheduled to recommend granting advertisement consent for a temporary period until 31 December 2025.

The key considerations were listed as:

• The impact of the proposed advertisement panels on the special interest of the grade II listed building.
• The impact of the advertisement panels on the character and appearance of the Soho Conservation Area, and on the setting of the adjacent conservation areas.
• The impact of the proposed advertisement panels on the setting of the adjacent listed buildings.

The report noted that Piccadilly Circus is a vibrant and commercial part of Westminster and is home to the Piccadilly Lights⁴.

Chester Street

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application relating to 12 Chester Street, London, SW1X 7BB. The proposal included:

• Excavation of a new basement level.
• Replacement of the existing rear extension at the first, second, and third floors with a new rear extension (first to third floor level) with a flat roof.
• Erection of an extension at the rear ground floor level.
• Removal of the existing kitchen rooflight and extension of the existing terrace at the first-floor level.
• Replacement of existing windows and French doors with new ones.

The Director of Town Planning & Building Control was scheduled to recommend conditional permission.

The key considerations were listed as:

• The acceptability of the proposed basement on the building.
• The acceptability of the proposed extensions in design terms.
• The impact of the proposed extensions on the character and appearance of the Belgravia Conservation Area and the setting of other nearby designated heritage assets, such as the grade II listed buildings adjoining the site.
• The impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties.

The report noted that the building is Grade II listed and within the Belgravia Conservation Area.

Caroline Terrace

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application relating to 14A Caroline Terrace, London, SW1W 8JS. The proposal was for part demolition and extensions to the existing garden studio with new fenestration and rooflights in connection with the use as a residential dwelling. The Director of Town Planning & Building Control was scheduled to recommend conditional permission.

The key considerations were listed as:

• The acceptability of the proposal in land use terms.
• The impact on amenity of neighbouring residential properties.
• The acceptability of the proposed extensions in design and heritage terms.
• The impact of the proposed extensions on the character and appearance of the Belgravia Conservation Area.

The report noted that the site is a studio building to the rear of 14 Caroline Terrace and is located within the Belgravia Conservation Area.