Westminster Council's Planning Sub-Committee (2) convened on 14 October 2025, addressing a retrospective planning application for a metal staircase at Cumberland Court, Cumberland Street. The application sought permission for the retention of a metal staircase within a lightwell, including a gate on the Cumberland Street side, to serve as a secondary fire escape from the basement to street level.

The Director of Town Planning & Building Control recommended that conditional permission be granted for the retrospective application, finding the proposed external staircase, on balance, acceptable, subject to conditions outlined in the report.

The key considerations for the committee, as outlined in the Public Reports Pack, included the design and its impact on the Pimlico Conservation Area, the amenity of neighbouring residents, fire safety, and security.

According to the Public Reports Pack, the main points of consideration were:

  • Design acceptability of the staircase and gate.
  • Impact on the character and appearance of the Pimlico Conservation Area.
  • Impact on the amenity of neighbouring residential properties.
  • Impact on fire safety.
  • Impact on the security of residents.

The Director of Town Planning & Building Control recommended conditional permission be granted, including the following stipulations:

  • The development must be carried out in accordance with the approved drawings and documents.
  • Restrictions on building work hours to protect neighbouring residents from noise.
  • All new exterior work must match the existing original work in terms of materials, construction, and appearance.
  • The gates, stairs, handrail, and stair balustrade must be painted black within six months of the permission date and maintained in that colour.

Despite the recommendation for approval, the application faced objections from neighbouring residents. Concerns were raised regarding the staircase's design, with residents stating that it is out of character with the building and harmful to the architectural integrity of the lightwell. Some residents also questioned the necessity of an additional fire escape, given the existing lightwell staircase facing Winchester Street that was approved in 2007. Concerns were also raised about potential privacy invasion, increased security risks, and noise disturbance from increased foot traffic.

Residents are specifically concerned that the staircase connecting the street level pavement and lower ground of the residential block would serve as an easy entry/exit for unauthorised individuals which jeopardise the safety of residents living in this apartment block, in particular Flat LG2 on the basement level.

Councillor Sara Hassan (Deputy Cabinet Member - Equalities and Skills and Lead Member - Women and Girls' Champion) chaired the meeting, with Councillors Paul Fisher, Hannah Galley, Ellie Ormsby (Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters), and James Small-Edwards (Deputy Cabinet Member - Regeneration) also in attendance.

The agenda for the meeting also included items such as membership changes, declarations of interest, and the minutes from the last meeting.