Kensington and Chelsea Council's Planning Applications Committee has approved plans for the redevelopment of Glen House on Old Brompton Road, by a vote of five in favour with no dissenting votes. The decision comes despite concerns raised by residents regarding the building's height, bulk, and access to adjacent areas.
The approved plans will see the demolition of the existing structure and the construction of a new ground-plus-six-storey mixed-use building. This will include a car showroom at ground and basement levels, with office space occupying the upper five floors. Plant equipment will be situated at roof level.
During the committee meeting on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, objectors voiced concerns that the proposed building's height and massing were not transitional between the adjacent No. 123 Old Brompton Road and the Grade II listed Drayton Terrace. Worries were also raised about access to Eagle Place and Rowland Way, particularly for emergency services. Objectors stated that the already narrow accessway is their only access for vehicles, deliveries, council refuse, lorries, and emergency service vehicles, and that hindering access or exit will put lives and property in serious danger. They also expressed worry about the placement of additional cycle stands, stating there is no safe access to them and any usage will cause risk by hindering vehicular access, including by emergency services.
Council officers responded that some of the concerns raised relate to private matters or civil matters in relation to land ownerships and rights of access. The application itself is not proposing to use the access or the private access to the west as the primary access for the site. In terms of construction, it is not proposed to use that side access or any of the private roads as part of the construction of the development. A final Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) would need to be provided, including consultation with residents. Officers also confirmed that private rights or rights of way are not planning matters. An informative could be added to remind the applicant team that granting planning permission does not impact the right to interfere with any private rights on or over any other land.
The applicant's agent countered these points by stating that a similar-sized building already had planning permission. However, they argued that the current application offers a significantly higher quality design with improved public realm and landscaping. Specifically, the footprint has been reduced, allowing for more landscaping and a better public realm, with greater separation from neighbouring properties due to building line setbacks. The agent also stated that the scheme will deliver additional high-quality office floor space and a new car showroom to bring economic investment to the area.
Councillors discussed the height of the building, with officers explaining that the sixth floor is a plant enclosure and not considered an additional storey of accommodation. The committee ultimately granted planning permission, subject to the completion of a legal agreement and the imposition of two additional conditions. One condition will secure the office floor space for Class E use only, removing permitted development rights under Class M.A. of Schedule II, Part III of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 2015. This will prevent the change of use of the office floor space to a dwelling house without the need for a further planning application. The second condition is to remove other permitted development rights that would prevent a change of use to a dwelling house without further planning permission.
Further details regarding the meeting can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet.
