Kensington and Chelsea councillors approved the scheme despite local objections
Ferrari’s former showroom in South Kensington will be rebuilt with a six-storey office block added despite objections from local residents that the design is “too bulky”.
Councillors approved the scheme at a Kensington and Chelsea Planning Applications Committee meeting on Tuesday (August 11).
The proposal will see the current ground floor car showroom demolished and replaced with a 734 square metre new one at the site on Old Brompton Road in South Kensington. It’s unclear which car manufacturer will take on the space, as Ferrari shut that showroom in 2024. However the area is known to be popular with luxury cars and supercar brands, with Lamborghini and classic car showrooms nearby.
Five floors of office space, which will take up 1,843 square meters, will be built on top of the showroom. Existing planning permission to construct a similar size development which also included five residential apartments is in place but that scheme was abandoned and is unfinished.
The new scheme also includes an additional sixth floor plant room, which makes the building 2.31metres taller than the previous scheme.
At the meeting, local resident Andrew Hall said: “Over 30 residents objected to this application and I think it’s appalling that the council’s response totally dismisses all our concerns – particularly concerning the height and massive bulk of the building. There’s no way it should be built in this form.”
Mr Hall said that residents wanted the building to be finished but that the proposals needed to be scaled back.
Jennifer Mackerras also raised concerns over how the development would affect access to the nearby cul-de-sac Eagle Place.
Ms Mackerras told the Planning Applications Sub-Committee: “Hindering our access or exit will put the lives and property of Eagle Place families in serious danger. This is totally foreseeable to all – including the council.”
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Matt Richards told the sub-committee that the scheme was of a higher quality than the previously abandoned one.
“The scheme preserves the character and appearance of surrounding conservation areas, causes no unacceptable amenity impacts, it delivers meaningful public benefits through enhanced landscaping, improved public realm and a more sustainable building,” he said.
“The scheme will deliver additional high quality office floor space and a new car showroom to bring economic investment to the area.”
The sub-committee requested information on private rights of way and the consideration of planting for pollinators was added to the scheme.
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