THE vacant Belgravia Police Station is to become a luxury 206-room hotel despite residents' concerns including a loss of daylight and increased noise and disturbance.

AS reported on London Nub News, The Buckingham Palace Road site has sat empty since the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan shut it in 2022 as part of wider changes to the Met Police.

The Other House submitted plans to Westminster City Council for the same building last year though withdrew them after concerns were raised by officers and locals. The new scheme is smaller than that previously proposed, with a bar, gym and restaurant also included as part of the hotel.

The application had received support in some quarters, including from The Belgravia Society and Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum. It also drew almost 30 objections, primarily from the neighbouring block Fountain Court, who more specifically voiced concerns about modifications to the building that could lose them daylight.

At a Westminster City Council Planning Sub-Committee meeting last night (October 15), the loss of light Fountain Court residents would suffer as a result of approval was the most common concern raised.

Lorna McMahon, speaking on behalf of Fountain Court residents, said: "Fountain Court is social housing, and should therefore arguably be afforded greater protection. The residents do not have the power or resources to simply sell up and move as a result of this severe impact on their wellbeing and amenity and will therefore be forced to live in dark conditions which will require artificial lighting for large parts of the day and year."

Another speaker at the meeting representing Fountain Court tenants asked the council to defer the decision until further changes are made to the designs. "Do tenants no longer have the right to a peaceful life anymore?" he asked.

The 'regrettable' loss of light was referenced by each member of the sub-committee, in particular for two bedrooms expected to be hit with a reduction of more than 30 per cent.

The amendments made to the scheme following last year's withdrawal received more positive feedback, with Cllr Nafsika Butler-Thalassis (Labour) among those praising the 'beautiful' design of the hotel.

Cllr Jason Williams (Labour) said he was concerned about the proposed entrance for hotel guests on Ebury Square, which he requested be removed via condition. This would mean both hotel guests and those visiting the restaurant and bar area would enter via Buckingham Palace Road.

Conservative councillor Rachael Robathan echoed these concerns, though Cllr Jim Glen (Conservative) said he believed additional footfall on Ebury Square would be beneficial given it had suffered occasional antisocial behaviour. The condition was not added.

The scheme was approved unanimously, with Cllr Glen saying it offered 'as good a neighbour as you're going to get' for the site. The Other House was approached following the meeting, though a spokesperson said they were unable to comment.

Report: https://westminster.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s62160/ITEM%201%20-%20202%20-%20206%20BUCKINGHAM%20PALACE%20ROAD%20LONDON%20SW1W%209SX.pdf