Chelsea is set for a major housing boost after Kensington and Chelsea Council approved plans for 274 new homes on what has become known as the ‘Lots Road South’ site.

The long-awaited regeneration scheme will sweep away several much-loved, but outdated Victorian commercial buildings – including the popular former Lots Road Auctions warehouse – and replace them with new homes, community facilities, and workspaces.

Developer Mount Anvil will deliver 156 private homes, alongside 53 homes for social rent and 65 extra-care flats, also for social rent, aimed at helping older residents live independently.

The specialist care homes are designed for people over 55 who already receive home care, allowing them to live in their own flats with 24/7 on-site support available when needed — a model the council says will help residents stay rooted in their community.

RBKC says the scheme is a key plank of its ambitious new homes delivery programme, which aims to build 600 homes across the borough, with 300 for social rent and key workers. 

Lots Road South alone will deliver a significant chunk of that total, with the council purchasing the affordable homes, workspace and new community centre. The development will include 2,038 square metres of non-residential space.

Greenery, the developers say, is a central feature of the project, with a new community square, nearly 50 new trees, and biodiverse green roofs across the site.

During the debate, Chelsea Riverside councillor Laura Burns (Con) warned the Lots Road scheme could bring traffic chaos to locals’ doorsteps. She told the chamber that residents were deeply worried about construction lorries, noise and day-to-day disruption — and demanded a strict traffic management plan be nailed down before planning permission was signed off.

Mount Anvil’s representatives claimed they have a “strong track record” of controlling construction traffic and working closely with neighbours to minimise disruption during major builds.

Rounding off the debate Planning Committee Chairman James Husband (Con) said “the need for new housing in the Borough was urgent and that tips the balance in making a decision.”

Councillors unanimously approved the scheme, subject to residents and developers agreeing rules on demolition and traffic management. 

Mount Anvil’s Marcus Bate told The Chelsea Citizen that the development would deliver 45% affordable homes and almost half of the council’s housing target. “We’re keen to get on site by the end of March to create a new neighbourhood that residents of all ages will be proud to call home.”

Richard Jacques, Chair of the Lots Road Neighbourhood Forum, has followed the consultation and planning process meticulously for years, spoke against aspects of the plan at last night’s meeting. In a statement later, he hit back at the granting of planning permission:

“It is bitterly disappointing that RBKC Councillors and planning officers have yet again favoured vested interests over the concerns of those who live and work in our area. While we can be proud that community pressure has achieved significant changes to the original scheme proposed by Mount Anvil, this is a missed opportunity to create a development we could all be happy with. 

“It is a tiny consolation, but at least the Planning Committee accepted our argument that the Demolition and Construction Management Plans must return to the Committee if Mount Anvil and the Lots Road Neighbourhood Forum cannot reach an agreement on how to manage the development’s construction phase. 

“Our focus must now shift to the construction Lots Road South and how we can minimise the inevitable disruption that yet another major building project in our area will cause to this conservation area.”

It was noted at the meeting that representatives from Heatherlys School of Fine Art and from the Chelsea Academy spoke up in favour of the development. Both of these Lots Road institutions have recently received funds from Mount Anvil’s social action fund.

Part of the development falls within the boundary of Hammersmith and Fulham Council and still needs its approval, but the future of Lots Road South has finally been decided.

Cllr Emma Will, lead member for property, said: “Securing planning approval for Lots Road South means we can move forward with delivering high-quality homes, including much-needed extra care housing for our residents – creating yet another amazing space in our borough. This development will make a real difference to people’s lives and to the local community.

“As a result of this scheme, there is quite understandably some concern over the level of disruption during construction and the longer-term impact to residents. We have been working hard with Mount Anvil to ensure we have captured residents’ feedback and have adapted the designs to take into account these comments throughout the process. We will continue to work closely with residents and local community groups as the scheme progresses to do all we can to minimise disruption. We cannot forget that London is in the middle of a housing crisis and this development will help many residents secure a safe and affordable home.”