Native Land’s Belgravia scheme knocked back

Native Land has been refused planning permission for a scheme that would have seen it redevelop a 60-home scheme in Belgravia, on the grounds that it would not provide a great enough amount of affordable housing. Westminster Council’s planning committee was recommended by officers to approve plans to knock down Kilmuir House and 60-64 South Eaton Place, SW1, and build a new Kilmuir House on the site. However, the six-strong committee was evenly split during a debate on Tuesday (14 June). New chair Ruth Bush cast a second deciding vote to reject the scheme. The plans included 60 homes across two storeys – four of which would be affordable – and flexible retail space. Councillors criticised the number of affordable homes offered in the scheme. According to an officers report, consultant LSH had ruled that “the scheme will result in a deficit and cannot support any further affordable housing at this stage”. A spokesman for Native Land said: “We are disappointed with Westminster planning committee’s decision to refuse the application for Kilmuir House. The committee decided to overturn their planning officer’s recommendation to approve. We firmly believed that the development would have brought significant benefits to the locality. These credentials were illustrated by the palpable local support we received, with representatives of the community attending planning committee to speak in support.” To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@eg.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @EGPropertyNews