Belgravia residents have voiced their opposition to a planning application that seeks to convert a garden studio, currently likely used for commercial purposes (Class E), into a residential dwelling at 14A Caroline Terrace. The application was discussed at a meeting of the Westminster Council Planning Sub-Committee (1) on Tuesday 5th August 2025.

The proposal involves part demolition and extensions to the existing garden studio, including new windows and rooflights, to enable its use as a residential dwelling. The site is located within the Belgravia Conservation Area.

The planning application was withdrawn from the agenda to allow for re-consultation on the submission of an updated planning application form and new CIL form, according to the Printed Minutes.

According to the Public Reports Pack, the council received objections from nearby residential properties on land use, amenity, and design grounds.

Specific concerns raised by Belgravia residents, detailed in the Public Reports Pack, include:

  • Land use: Residents stated that the property was an artisan's workshop/studio and not intended as a residential home, arguing that there is no need for an enlarged two-storey residential building.
  • Amenity: Concerns included loss of outlook, increased sense of enclosure, loss of light, overshadowing, and light pollution.
  • Design: Objections were raised that the increased bulk and massing were excessive and out-of-scale, the fenestration was not in keeping with the area, and the building was not subservient to the surrounding properties.

Despite the residents' objections, the planning officer's report recommended conditional permission be granted. The justification, detailed in the Public Reports Pack, is that the proposed development would increase housing supply in Westminster, the design of the extension and alterations are appropriate to its context and would not harm the character or appearance of the building or the conservation area, and the impacts on neighbours would not be unduly harmful.

The Schedule of Applications also recommended that conditional permission be granted.

The specific conditions attached to the recommended conditional permission are detailed in the draft decision letter within the Public Reports Pack. Some of the conditions include matching new work to the outside of the building with existing original work, applying for approval of detailed drawings of new windows and doors, and applying for approval of details of secure cycle storage.

The Planning Sub-Committee (1) included Councillors Patrick Lilley (Deputy Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Lead Member for Soho and LGBTQ+ Champion), Md Shamsed Chowdhury (Deputy Cabinet Member - Streets and Lead Member - Edgware Road Champion), Elizabeth Hitchcock, Iman Less (Night Time Champion) and Robert Rigby.