The Planning Sub-Committee (2) of Westminster Council was scheduled to consider four planning applications. These included proposals for roof extensions at 63 Blandford Street, a secondary fire escape at Cumberland Court, and a demolition and rebuilding project at 32 Grosvenor Crescent Mews.

63 Blandford Street, London, W1U 7HR

Two applications were scheduled for discussion concerning the property at 63 Blandford Street, London, W1U 7HR. The first application, item 1 on the agenda, proposed the erection of a mono-pitched and sheer roof extension with rear windows and a timber door, raising the chimney height, and installing new sash windows and photovoltaic panels. The report pack indicated a recommendation to refuse this application on design and heritage grounds, citing harm to the Grade II listed building and the Portman Estate Conservation Area.

The second application for the same address, item 2 on the agenda, proposed a mansard roof extension with front and rear dormers, a raised chimney, new sash windows, and photovoltaic panels. This application also had a recommendation for refusal on design and heritage grounds, with similar reasoning regarding harm to the listed building and conservation area. Both applications were linked to listed building consent applications.

Cumberland Court, Cumberland Street, London, SW1V 4LR

Item 3 on the agenda concerned Cumberland Court, Cumberland Street, London, SW1V 4LR. The proposal was for the retention of a metal staircase within a lightwell, including a gate on the Cumberland Street side, to provide a secondary means of fire escape from the basement to street level. The report pack indicated a recommendation to grant conditional permission for this retrospective application. Objections were received from neighbouring properties concerning design, fire safety, amenity, and security. However, the report concluded that the fire safety benefits, supported by a fire statement and the Council's building control team, outweighed the modest harm to residential amenity.

32 Grosvenor Crescent Mews, London, SW1X 7EX

The final application, item 4, related to 32 Grosvenor Crescent Mews, London, SW1X 7EX. This involved the demolition, rebuilding, and facade retention of the Grade II listed building to create two self-contained residential dwellings. The proposals included a replacement mansard, a lightwell, courtyard, a single-storey basement, and alterations to the facade. The report pack recommended granting conditional planning permission and listed building consent. Concerns were raised by the Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum and neighbouring residents regarding the basement development, the quality of accommodation, and the impact on the building's proportions and character. However, the report concluded that the benefits of providing new, high-quality, energy-efficient homes and optimising the site's use outweighed the less than substantial harm to the heritage asset.

The meeting was scheduled to begin with standard procedural items, including noting any changes to membership, receiving declarations of interest, and signing the minutes of the previous meeting.