On 10th April 2017 Mr. Graham Stallwood, Executive Director of Planning and Borough Development of RBKC, and Cllr. Tim Coleridge, Cabinet-member for Planning Policy and Arts, explained the role of the professional planners and the elected Councillors in planning the Chelsea of the future.
They gave examples of considerations which could and could not be taken into account when determining a planning application:
| Examples of material considerations | Examples of issues that are not material considerations |
| National planning policy framework | The applicant’s identity |
| National planning practice guidance | Applicant’s behaviour / possible behaviour |
| Council strategies | Land ownership |
| Other public sector strategies e.g. TfL | Private rights e.g. access |
| Other legislation e.g. Equality Act | Restrictive covenants or deeds |
| Design and visual impact | Effect on property value |
| Loss of privacy | Competition |
| Loss of sunlight or daylight | Loss of a particular private view |
| Increased sense of enclosure | Lack of perceived need for a development |
| Noise or smell | Number of objectors / supporters |
| Access and traffic | Moral issues |
| Ecology | If Party Wall Act arrangements are agreed |
| Crime and fear of crime | |
| Economic impact | |
| Planning history and related decisions | |
| What could be done anyway (fallback) | |
| Any new homes bonus we might receive | |
| Financial consequences to the council of refusal |
In addition, they answered questions on:
- Le Colombier restaurant
- Thamesbrook care home redevelopment
- Planning applications relating to the Royal Brompton Hospital and the Chelsea Farmers’ Market site
- Modifications to the changing rooms at Chelsea Swimming Baths
- Basement developments. They clarified that a certificate of lawful development would not enable a developer to construct a basement without planning permission if construction had not started before the Art. 4 Direction (removing permitted development rights) was made.
