Published: Tuesday 12 December 2023
The Planning Inspectorate has overturned the Council’s decision to refuse planning permission and listed building consent for a development at South Kensington Underground Station. The Council’s planning committee rejected the development in November 2021.
The applicant appealed and an Inquiry was held by the Planning Inspectorate in January - April 2023, where the Council gave evidence to support its decision.
The Planning Inspectorate has now ruled that the development can go ahead, except for two new shopfronts in the subway linking the station to the museums on Exhibition Road.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for planning and public realm said:
“South Kensington is a world class destination. Destinations need transport links and development, but not at any cost. Certainly not at the cost of the area’s recognisably distinctive and much-loved character.
“This decision by the Planning Inspectorate is a disappointing blow for people who live in the area, against our planning committee’s decision. TfL even worked on design principles with residents earlier in the process which have also been contradicted in the final designs for this development.
“Instead, TfL is ploughing on with a scheme which is opposed by more than 2,000 people.
“We appreciate this station needs development for the good of everyone who uses it, we even gave planning permission back in 2018 to improve the ticket hall, which TfL never implemented.
“We have always supported step-free access at all tube stations but given the strength of feeling on the development, we will expect TfL to fully fund step-free access at South Kensington Station, which will have a genuine benefit for visitors, residents and commuters.
“This will allow us to divert our own funding earmarked to support step-free access to other stations which need it, such as Latimer Road, Ladbroke Grove or High Street Kensington.”