Westminster Council is currently investigating the installation of unauthorised air conditioning units on a Grade II listed building in the Bayswater Conservation Area.

The Planning Sub-Committee (1) of Westminster Council met on Tuesday 5th August 2025, to discuss the planning application for 113-115 Gloucester Terrace, among other items. The application, submitted by Ms Michele Beiny Harkins, seeks permission to relocate two air conditioning units from the rear main roof to a rear terrace at first floor level, and to install two additional air conditioning units to another rear terrace at first floor level. All units are to be within acoustic enclosures.

Aerial view of Gloucester Terrace, London, with a red arrow pointing to 113-115 Gloucester Terrace, the location of a planning application to relocate and install air conditioning units.
Aerial view of Gloucester Terrace, London, with a red arrow pointing to 113-115 Gloucester Terrace, the location of a planning application to relocate and install air conditioning units.

The council report notes that two air conditioning units have already been mounted on the rear dormer without planning permission or listed building consent, and are the subject of an enforcement investigation. This investigation is currently being held pending the outcome of the planning application1.

Several objections have been received from neighbouring residents, citing concerns over noise pollution and inaccuracies within the submitted Acoustic Report. Objectors also raised concerns about heat pollution and the potential for setting a precedent.

The council report stated that the key considerations were:

  • The impact of the proposal on the character, appearance and special interest of the listed building and the Bayswater Conservation Area.
  • The impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties.

Despite the objections, the planning officer's report recommended conditional permission and listed building consent be granted. The committee ultimately approved the application, subject to conditions. The conditions include restrictions on noise and vibration2, and a requirement that all new work to the outside of the building must match existing original work3.

The Agenda frontsheet for the meeting lists the attendees as Councillor Patrick Lilley (Deputy Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Lead Member for Soho and LGBTQ+ Champion), Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury (Deputy Cabinet Member - Streets and Lead Member - Edgware Road Champion), Councillor Elizabeth Hitchcock, Councillor Iman Less (Night Time Champion) and Councillor Robert Rigby.

The Public reports pack contains the full reports for each planning application, including the one for Gloucester Terrace. The Item 02 - 113 -115 Gloucester Terrace London W2 3HB document provides further details on the application and the objections received.

  1. The council report for 113 -115 Gloucester Terrace, London, W2 3HB notes that the enforcement investigation is being held in abeyance until these applications have been determined.
  2. The conditions imposed regarding noise and vibration levels from the air conditioning units at 113-115 Gloucester Terrace are as follows: * The 'A' weighted sound pressure level from the plant and machinery, when operating at its noisiest, shall not at any time exceed a value of 5 dB below the minimum external background noise, at a point 1 metre outside any window of any residential and other noise sensitive property, unless and until a fixed maximum noise level is approved in writing by the City Council. * Where noise emitted from the proposed plant and machinery will contain tones or will be intermittent, the 'A' weighted sound pressure level from the plant and machinery shall not at any time exceed a value of 10 dB below the minimum external background noise, at a point 1 metre outside any window of any residential and other noise sensitive property, unless and until a fixed maximum noise level is approved in writing by the City Council. * No vibration shall be transmitted to adjoining or other premises and structures through the building structure and fabric of this development as to cause a vibration dose value of greater than 0.4m/s (1.75) 16 hour day-time nor 0.2m/s (1.75) 8 hour night-time as defined by BS 6472 (2008) in any part of a residential and other noise sensitive property. * The mitigation measures as detailed within the Noise Impact Assessment dated 16 May 2025 must be installed before the plant machinery is used, and then maintained for as long as the plant machinery remains in place. These conditions are detailed in the draft decision letter for the application at 113 -115 Gloucester Terrace, London, W2 3HB.
  3. For the application at 113 -115 Gloucester Terrace, London, W2 3HB, condition 6 states: "All new work to the outside of the building must match existing original work in terms of the choice of materials, method of construction and finished appearance. This applies unless differences are shown on the drawings we have approved or are required by conditions to this permission."

It is very important that Ms. Beiny Harkins meets the conditions and the council may take legal action if she does not. She should make sure that the machinery is properly maintained and serviced regularly.