Kensington Palace courtiers are set to get the go-ahead for £24million two-storey mega basement despite opposition from angry neighbours.
Plans were submitted to build a 160ft long, two-storey deep basement next to the Grade I-listed Queen Anne’s Orangery at the royal residence which will store ceremonial dresses.
The proposed work will also accommodate Historic Royal Palaces staff who will be uprooted when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge return to the property in West London.
Plans were submitted to build a 160ft long, two-storey deep basement next to the Grade I-listed Queen Anne’s Orangery
The proposed work will accommodate Historic Royal Palaces staff at the royal residence and also store ceremonial dresses
Historic Royal Palaces staff will be uprooted when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge return to the property in West London
There were 18 objections to the plans, which infuriated a number of locals, and the final decision will go to a planning committee on September 14. But a council report suggests the proposals will get the go ahead.
The row centred around the size of the proposed basement at the Orangery. Under the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council’s own policy, known as CL7, double level basements are normally prohibited.
However, RBKC says this was designed to address the overdevelopment of residential properties in densely built-up areas, something that doesn’t apply to Kensington Palace, which is calls a ‘unique site in many respects’.
The report said: ‘The site has its own access road and the impact of construction work upon the living conditions enjoyed by the nearest residents would be minimised, satisfying the objectives of Policy CL7 and the objectives of the Basements SPD.
‘The site is not a ‘large site’ as described in the policy, where an exception might be allowed for a second or sub-level, but is does share some characteristics with ‘large sites’ which are generally developments occupying a large street block where works and associated equipment can be contained within the site.
‘In this case, there is ample room for works and equipment and no need for blockage of the road or disruption of traffic.’
There were 18 objections to the plans, which infuriated some locals, and the final decision will go to a planning committee
A council report suggests the proposals will get the go ahead when they go before the planning committee on September 14
The row centred around the size of the proposed basement at the Orangery at the building in Kensington, West London
The council added that a deeper basement ‘minimises the surface take-up required’, which will preserve the open setting of the land.
Concerns about potential disturbance to wildlife were dismissed. The council report also says any harm to the Orangery’s above ground appearance would be offset by ‘many public benefits’.
The Orangery was built in 1704 as a garden dining pavilion for Queen Anne. It is currently used as a public restaurant
Responding to claims the proposal was a waste of public money, the council said the work of HRP is ‘of economic benefit to the nation, London and the Royal Borough’ and it is ‘not for the council’ to decide how it spends its cash.
Official plans for the Orangery’s mega-basement were submitted to the RBKC by HRP in March. The proposed development will include one level above ground and two subterranean levels.
It will house palace staff, a kitchen to support the Orangery restaurant and an area to store ceremonial dresses.
Andrew Langton, chairman of the high-end London estate agency, Aylesford International, previously estimated the extension will cost around £24million to build.
The proposed work, if approved, will be funded by donations and charity rather than the taxpayer. There were 18 objections, with Patrick Hope-Falkner saying it would be a ‘traumatic development to a listed building’.
Retired telecoms executive Donald Cameron, who has used the park grounds for 35 years, called it as a ‘thoroughly shoddy episode’ and said council officials seem to have been ‘bedazzled by courtiers’.
He added: ‘This is an historic building and should not be disturbed. There can be no justification for a double basement. The Orangery is a central feature of the park which should be maintained as a peaceful facility for Londoners.
‘The consultation is bogus and the planning department seems to have been bedazzled by courtiers when giving pre-application advice.’
The council said a deeper basement ‘minimises the surface take-up required’, which will preserve the open setting of the land
The council report also said any harm to the Orangery’s above ground appearance would be offset by ‘many public benefits’
The council said the work of Historic Royal Palaces is ‘of economic benefit to the nation, London and the Royal Borough’
Official plans for the Orangery’s mega-basement were submitted to the council by Historic Royal Palaces in March
Other residents have written to the council to share their concerns about plans at the Orangery, which was built on the commission of Queen Anne.
Patrick Hope-Falkner said: ‘Is everyone cowed by the involvement of a Royal Palace? No one is above the law. And the law in RBKC is subject to CL7 and the latest SPD (Supplementary Planning Document) on basements.
The work will accommodate staff who will be uprooted when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (pictured with Prince George and Princess Charlotte in July) return to the property
‘Only if the planning department and local planning authority want to drive a coach and horses through their own regulations and guidelines, should this application be allowed to go any further.
‘It would be a traumatic development to a listed building and a blatant defiance of the two storey rule to allow it.’
Marion Gettleson added: ‘The Orangery has long been a much loved and visited feature of a famous architectural and historical grouping. As such, the property should be respected and left alone.
‘The disturbance caused by the excavations etc will cause considerable harm to the surrounding area for a long time. While somewhat less venerable, the immediate neighbourhood is also of great architectural, historical and political significance.
‘It is very much hoped that other arrangement will be made for the proposed uses for a new basement on this site.’
However, there were also were also seven letters of support with the Science Museum, Exhibition Road Cultural Group, Friend of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, and the Royal Albert Hall all backing the plans.
The pre-committee report decision said: ‘Subject to there being no direction to the contrary by the Mayor of London, to grant planning permission on the satisfactory completion of an undertaking or agreement to secure the matters in section seven of this report and with the conditions listed in section ten of this report.’
The Orangery was built in 1704 as a garden dining pavilion for Queen Anne. It is currently used as a restaurant which is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and tea.
The RBKC will hold the planning committee meeting on Thursday, September 14 from 6.30pm at the Town Hall.