Residents are divided over plans for an 18-storey tower in Notting Hill — two years after a “near-identical” design was rejected because of a lack of affordable housing.
More than 400 locals signed a petition in 2016 which helped stop the scheme to replace Newcombe House, a 12-storey Fifties office block, with an “urban quarter” of shops, offices and luxury flats on a tree-lined square.
A planning inspector went on to uphold the decision at appeal, saying the design did not include enough affordable housing.
Developer Notting Hill Gate KCS Ltd has now submitted a follow-up proposal whose only material difference is nine added social-rented flats — 20 per cent of the residential units.
The plans — which include 46 flats overall, a GP surgery and 14 shops — have this time triggered almost double the number of formal objections.
There are concerns the tower would dominate the skyline.
However, 178 people have written in support of the development, claiming it is needed to replace the “dire” existing office block.
Another, Anna Crona, said it was “a disgrace to not only the Notting Hill area but to the core of what London stands for”. Laure Ghouila-Houri added: “This building is already too high for the skyline. I object to an even higher building. Please stop disfiguring my neighbourhood.”
But Mahesh Amin of Calder Pharmacy said: “Notting Hill Gate is in a dire state.The new development will be a breath of fresh air which is long overdue.”
The Kensington Society and three other residents’ associations also backed the bid.
Recommending the plans for approval, a council planning officer accepted it was “nearly identical” to the first block but said it would bring “welcome benefit” to the area.
Richard Selby, of the developer, said it would provide “nine much-needed homes for families”.
The plans will be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday.
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