Developer Native Land has won its appeal against Westminster City Council's rejection of its plans for Kilmuir House development in Belgravia, London SW1.

The council's planning committee had denied the application, submitted in late 2020, in June 2022, citing a lack of affordable housing. However, the Planning Inspector ruled in favour of Native Land's appeal on 3 February 2023, following Westminster's admission during a public inquiry that there was no violation of planning policy and that the development should be approved.

The approval allows Native Land to build a new six-story structure that will complement the existing architecture in one of the capital's most prestigious neighbourhoods.

The plans, designed by award-winning architects Pilbrow & Partners, include 60 new homes, including 12 one-bedroom, 25 two-bedroom, and 22 three-bedroom apartments, as well as four affordable homes.

The building will also feature c.800 sq ft of ground floor retail space and incorporate large bay windows and terraces.

The Kilmuir House plans incorporate design elements characteristic of Belgravia, such as materials and proportions consistent with Georgian and Victorian architecture in the area, a reduced building height compared to the current 1950s building, and step-backs to reduce the visual impact of upper floors. The proposals received widespread support from residents and stakeholders, including the Belgravia Society, with only 9 letters of opposition.

The development will be all-electric and powered by green energy sources such as air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels, making it a net-zero carbon building. The project will also increase biodiversity by 30% through urban greening efforts. The buildings are designed with a 120-year lifespan to minimize the environmental impact and encourage low-carbon choices.

Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive of Native Land commented: "We are pleased to have brought a four-year planning process to a positive conclusion, achieving consent in Belgravia at a time when planning permissions for new homes in central London are becoming a rarity. Our proposals were policy compliant, following over a year of pre-application discussions, and had the support of local residents and stakeholders. It’s been a time-consuming and costly process for all parties and illustrates the challenges planning in London presents for the delivery of homes of all types.

‘I’m grateful to the project team for their support and tenacity, which has ultimately achieved a consent for a development which will bring significant benefits to the local area."

Back to Kilmuir House development profile.

Image: native-land.com 11.02.2023