Kensington and Chelsea Council's Planning Committee has approved plans for a new nursery and 27 residential flats at 2-14 Telford Road and 246-248 Ladbroke Grove. The decision, made on Monday, July 13, 2026, will see the demolition of the existing building, which formerly housed a school, and its replacement with a part-four, part-five, and part-six storey mixed-use development.
The new building will feature a nursery on the ground floor, with the upper levels comprising the 27 self-contained flats. These flats will be comprised of 11 one-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units, and 5 three-bedroom units. The development also includes provision for refuse, recycling, and cycle parking facilities, along with associated plant equipment.
During the meeting, councillors heard that while the proposed nursery would offer less floorspace than the previous school, it would be a modern, purpose-built facility. The 27 new homes were welcomed as a contribution to the borough's housing stock. The committee also noted the site's planning history, including an implemented permission from 2005 for a building of similar scale and height, which established a baseline for the site's redevelopment potential.
Concerns were raised by local residents regarding the scale and massing of the proposed building, its impact on daylight and sunlight, and the potential for increased sense of enclosure. However, officers concluded that while there would be some reduction in daylight and sunlight, these impacts were considered acceptable within the urban context and when weighed against the public benefits of the scheme, particularly the provision of new homes and a nursery.
The development also addresses concerns about the loss of a mature lime tree on the Ladbroke Grove frontage, with a condition requiring a further feasibility study for additional street trees and funding for their provision. A financial contribution of £10,000 per tree is to be funded for additional street trees along Telford Road following this study. The scheme will also contribute financially towards highways improvements, travel plan monitoring, and carbon offsetting.
Specifically, the development will fund a £10,000 contribution towards 'Highways Improvements' (variation of traffic management order and dropped kerb), and £1,200 for 'Travel Plan Monitoring'.
In addition to the residential units, the development will provide a nursery, which will replace the former school use on the site. The committee noted that while the nursery floorspace is reduced, it will be a modern facility. The provision of 27 new homes was highlighted as a significant public benefit, contributing to the borough's housing supply. The development also includes measures to ensure accessibility and sustainability, such as cycle parking and energy-efficient design.
The energy-efficient design incorporates a fabric-first approach, air-source heat pumps, and photovoltaic (PV) panels, aiming for a 74.2% CO2 reduction on-site for the residential component and a 9% reduction for the nursery. However, to meet net zero operational carbon requirements, a cash-in-lieu contribution of £26,571 to the Council's carbon offset fund is required, as on-site renewable energy generation is insufficient.
For more details on the planning committee meeting, refer to the Public reports pack.
