Westminster's Planning Sub-Committee (2) convened on 22 July 2025, addressing concerns over the redevelopment of Hanover Square.
The committee reviewed an application concerning the partial demolition, refurbishment, and extension of 1 Hanover Square, formerly Vogue House. The proposal includes creating a sub-basement, basement, and an eight-storey building with retail and office spaces. The Director of Town Planning and Building Control recommended conditional permission, but the project has sparked heritage concerns due to its potential impact on the Mayfair Conservation Area and nearby heritage assets, including the Grade I listed Church of St George.
According to the meeting agenda, key points of discussion included whether the extent of demolition was justified from a sustainability perspective, the energy performance of the building, the suitability of additional retail and office space, and amenity and transport implications. The council received objections from an adjoining office occupier and concerns from nearby residents regarding loss of light and sunlight. The report for 1 Hanover Square notes that The adjoining office occupier objects to the application on a number of grounds and concerns have been raised by nearby residential occupiers on the grounds of loss of light and sunlight.
The Director of Town Planning and Building Control recommended conditional permission, subject to a legal agreement to secure contributions towards the council's Carbon Off Set fund (£250,965) and local employment and training initiatives (£141,350), as well as monitoring of the building's operational energy performance and highway works surrounding the site. The contribution of £141,350 will support the Westminster Employment Service.
The report noted 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 listed buildings on the western side of St George Street, but that this was outweighed by public benefits. These benefits are primarily economic, including an increase in office space in a well-connected location. Environmentally, the development aims to reduce operational carbon through new thermally efficient windows, upgraded insulation, PV panels, and air source heat pumps. The design incorporates urban greening with a green roof and planted terraces. Furthermore, the proposal retains 62% of the existing structure and enhances the streetscape with a better-activated ground floor. The applicant also intends to upgrade the paving at the front of the site to match the 2022 Bond Street Elizabeth Line public realm works.
The scheme is expected to generate significant economic benefits, including 630 jobs and £1.9 million in local expenditure during the 18-month construction period. Once completed, the building is projected to support approximately 700 jobs and contribute £2.5 million per year in local expenditure by workers.
