PLANS to turn a vacant Westminster police station into a 206-room hotel have been recommended to be approved.

Belgravia Police Station was shut in 2022 by Sadiq Khan as part of a wider reorganisation of the Met Police.

The Other House, which opened its first hotel in South Kensington in 2022 and is looking to launch its next in Covent Garden next year, has applied to the council to transform the empty station. The works would involve a part-demolition of the building, with its basement and structural frame to be retained.

A bar, gym and restaurant will be among the amenities added alongside the rooms. The Other House submitted a taller scheme for the same site last year, though withdrew it after concerns were raised by officers and locals.

Support has been received by The Belgravia Society and the Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum, with 19 positive responses also filed by residents. The proposal did however draw 28 objections primarily from a neighbouring residential block, Fountain Court. Among the potential issues cited were the impact on their 'right for a peaceful life' and a reduction in daylight for adjacent buildings.

A report by Westminster City Council officers notes how of the 19 letters received from supportive residents, a number of these were 'signed proformas which the applicants (sic) communications consultant has distributed with a pre-paid envelope to the council'.

While not objecting, the Westminster Society raised concerns about the appearance and quality of large facades facing Ebury Square, which the group said 'lacks focus and is too uniform in appearance'. Officers acknowledged the proposal would result in a 'highly regrettable' loss of daylight to some flats, though recommend the scheme to be approved at next Tuesday's (October 15) Planning Sub-Committee.

A spokesperson for The Other House said the company is unable to provide a comment at this stage.

Belgravia police station was shut in 2022 and sold by the Mayor of London for £75 million. According to the London Evening Standard, since 2008, more than 75 per cent of the capital's police stations have closed.