KINGSTON AND NORTH KINGSTON NEIGHBOURHOOD

Conservation Areas Advisory Committee

PLANNING APPLICATION COMMENT FORM DATE: 10 July 2024

CA1

RBK ref: 24/01085/FUL

Address: 16 - 18 High Street Kingston Upon Thames Planning Officer: Lucy Bennett

Description of proposed works: Change of use of first, second and third floor from office (Use Class E) to residential (Use Class C3) and change of use of first floor rear restaurant area (Use Class E) to residential (Use Class C3)

APPRAISAL

By full committee on …… 10 July 2024 …… with …… 5 …… members present

Issued on 10 Jul 2024

1. Positive support		2. No objection
3. Objection		4. Objection unless revised as below
5. No comment/neutral		6. Lack of detail	X
7. Decision already issued

Reason:

Lack of detail.

Although we support the principle of bringing back these empty offices into active use - here as residential units, some material information is missing from this PA. The application states that no changes would be made to external elevations including fenestration which is surprising given its worn condition. Also, & even though not a conservation matter, there is no confirmation that all residential units will comply with minimum space requirements & flood risk measures, particularly in respect of the access staircase to the rear ground floor close to the river. In addition, fire risk above a commercial kitchen is real yet the applicant’s fire safety document is vague.