1. Major Developments Restarting
Three significant projects that have been inactive for the past 6–12 months are shortly to start with construction work:
- Cundy Estate, Ebury Street
- Kilmuir House, Ebury Street
- The former Belgravia Police Station, Ebury Square
Those living nearby should expect increased construction traffic and disruption over the coming months. Each site will display contact details for reporting any issues—please make a note of these once posted.
2. Planning Applications
The Forum continues to review all planning applications in the area, responding in line with the Belgravia Neighbourhood Plan and Design Codes—whether in support or to object. Do get in touch if you have concerns about a local application.
3. Basements and Extensions
Several recent applications have raised concerns, particularly those involving large sub-basement excavations (i.e. basements dug underneath the level of the original lowest level of a house), rear extensions, or roof terraces that risk overlooking or intruding on neighbours’ privacy, and we have raised objections to these. In several cases, our objections and those of neighbours have been noted by Council planners and the applications refused. In others, the applications have been permitted, principally because they fall within the limits of what is permitted by the current City Plan.
4. Revisions to City Plan
At present, Westminster City Council’s planning framework (City Plan 2019–2040) allows the digging of sub-basements. However, the City Plan is now under review, which gives us an opportunity to push for changes. We believe sub-basements below the original level of a house should be prohibited where they pose heritage, structural, or environmental risks—particularly in mews, listed buildings, and properties built before 1920.
I would very much welcome your views on such a potential “basement ban,” and any experiences you may have of building—or living next to—such projects. Do you support this idea, or not?
I look forward to hearing from you on chairman@thebelgraviaforum.org
With best wishes,
Monica Lucas
Chairman