Council challenges Khan’s Kensington Forum approval

Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council has launched a High Court challenge against the mayor of London’s planning consent for the Kensington Forum Hotel on Cromwell Road, SW7. The council has submitted a claim for a judicial review which could see the consent for the 749-room hotel revoked. Khan granted approval for Queen Investments’ and Rockwell Property’s proposals in June, following an increase in affordable housing provision. In November 2018, the scheme was called in after the council refused plans that September. The approved development comprises 62 affordable homes, alongside 340 serviced apartments and the hotel. Johnny Thalassites, lead member for transport and planning at Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council, said:“The council remains very disappointed at the decision to grant permission for an even bigger building on this site that is completely against the clear wishes of local residents and utterly unsuited to its location.” A spokesman from the Greater London Authority said: “Sadiq [Khan] is doing everything he can to build more council and genuinely affordable homes – that’s why London started building more council homes last year than in any year since 1984. “Because Sadiq called in this application, the developer agreed to triple the amount of genuinely affordable homes to 100 per cent, which is further proof that Sadiq’s approach is working and delivering the new social and affordable homes that Londoners desperately need.” To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette