Westminster blocks Westbrook Dolphin Square extension

Westbrook’s plans to add an extra 230 homes onto its Dolphin Square scheme have been quashed by Westminster City Council. The developer was seeking planning permission to demolish the scheme’s northernmost block, Rodney House, and replace it with a new 10-storey building. All councillors on the planning (major applications) sub-committee voted to refuse the extension last night on the grounds of harm to the conservation area from the demolition of Rodney House and rooftop extensions, intensification of short-term lettings in terms of number of units and the lack of family-sized affordable housing units. More than 2,000 residents reportedly signed a petition against Westbrook’s extension plans for Dolphin Square, which is said to have been home to MI5 spies, politicians and celebrities. To send feedback, e-mail lucy.alderson@egi.co.uk or tweet @LucyAJourno or @estatesgazette