Kensington and Chelsea councillors have approved a plan to demolish Ferrari's former showroom in South Kensington and replace it with a new showroom and a six-storey office block, despite objections from local residents who called the design "too bulky".
Approval at Planning Committee
The scheme was approved at a Kensington and Chelsea Planning Applications Committee meeting on Tuesday. The current ground-floor car showroom on Old Brompton Road will be demolished and replaced with a 734-square-metre new showroom. It is unclear which car manufacturer will take on the space, as Ferrari shut that showroom in 2024. The area is known for luxury car and supercar brands, with Lamborghini and classic car showrooms nearby.
Five floors of office space, covering 1,843 square metres, will be built on top of the showroom. The new scheme also includes an additional sixth-floor plant room, making the building 2.31 metres taller than the previous scheme. Existing planning permission for a similar-sized development that included five residential apartments was in place but that scheme was abandoned and is unfinished.
Resident Concerns
At the meeting, local resident Andrew Hall said: "Over 30 residents objected to this application and I think it's appalling that the council's response totally dismisses all our concerns – particularly concerning the height and massive bulk of the building. There's no way it should be built in this form." Mr Hall said residents wanted the building to be finished but that the proposals needed to be scaled back.
Jennifer Mackerras also raised concerns over how the development would affect access to the nearby cul-de-sac Eagle Place. Ms Mackerras told the Planning Applications Sub-Committee: "Hindering our access or exit will put the lives and property of Eagle Place families in serious danger. This is totally foreseeable to all – including the council."
Applicant's Response
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Matt Richards told the sub-committee that the scheme was of a higher quality than the previously abandoned one. "The scheme preserves the character and appearance of surrounding conservation areas, causes no unacceptable amenity impacts, it delivers meaningful public benefits through enhanced landscaping, improved public realm and a more sustainable building," he said. "The scheme will deliver additional high quality office floor space and a new car showroom to bring economic investment to the area."
The sub-committee requested information on private rights of way and the consideration of planting for pollinators was added to the scheme.
