Kensington and Chelsea councillors have refused a planning application for a mansard roof extension at Palace Place Mansions, citing concerns over fire safety and the design's impact on the Kensington Court conservation area.
The Kensington and Chelsea Planning Applications Committee meeting on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, considered the application to construct a mansard roof extension to create four additional residential units at Palace Place Mansions. Councillors ultimately voted to refuse the application, going against the officer recommendation to grant planning permission.
The reasons for refusal related to the design and fire safety. Councillors felt the design failed to preserve or enhance the character of the Kensington Court conservation area, and that the public benefits of the four new homes didn't outweigh that harm. They also concluded that the site contained a relevant building with enclosed rooms in the mezzanine level, and that the applicant had failed to demonstrate the highest standards of fire safety.
During the meeting, Michael Bach, chair of the planning committee of the Kensington Society, speaking on behalf of residents of Palace Place Mansions, argued that the application was highly misleading and confusing because it seeks to evade scrutiny by denying that it involves two additional stories and, secondly, designing them to evade triggering requirements for scrutinizing fire safety.
Councillor Emma Dent Coad expressed concern about what the applicant called the galley floor
, questioning whether it was an open mezzanine or open to the area below. She also noted her concern about the kitchen being below the bedroom, citing that fires often start in kitchens.
Other decisions made at the meeting included approving listed building consent for the replacement of flat entrance doors to meet current fire regulations at Kensal House and approving planning permission for the installation of an air source heat pump in the rear garden of 8 Queensdale Walk. Councillors also approved planning permission to replace the existing timber shed with a metal clad insulated unit at The Feeney Arms.