The Government is proposing major reforms to existing planning laws that would wipe away a vital layer of the democratic process. New developments that are deemed to be “minor” – ones of 50 homes or less – would be decided upon by planning officers – and not by committee. This would mean that local residents and local groups would no longer have a say in the decision-making as regards such developments. Some notable development proposals that have been covered by The Citizen in recents months (Peter Dubens’ giga basement and St Wilfrid’s in Tite Street) would fall into this gap.
Here, Councillor Johnny Thalassites, RBKC’s lead member for Environment, Planning and Net Zero, outlines why the council is concerned how the Gov changes would negatively affect the Chelsea townscape. He also urges residents to respond to the consultation – which ends on Wednesday.
Some planning applications provoke support and objection. That isn’t a comment on their merits. It’s just life. For example, the redevelopment of St Wilfrid’s on Tite Street, or the basement application on Oakley Gardens, are current planning application that people in Chelsea have spoken to me about.
And that is fine – because it means people can have their say. Not just any people, either, but the people who live in the neighbourhood and live cheek by jowl the schemes. I mean, you, Chelsea citizens. You can write to councillors or come to committee and make your case for or against applications in a public forum.
But under plans drawn up by the Government, schemes like this – by which I mean any scheme with fewer than 50 residential units – will be determined by planning officers, not committees of councillors. Which could dramatically undermine local democracy, and here’s why…
Planners are professional. They know their stuff. Nevertheless, local input strengthens decision making. People like you, coming to committee, make a difference. Your insights draw planners’ and councillors’ attention to benefits and harms in a way that words on a page just cannot replicate.
That is what is at risk. 50 homes is a high bar for schemes to go to committee. The suggested medium term between 10-49 homes) could mean schemes such as Colebrook Court, Sloane Avenue, which proposed 29 homes, or Eldon House, Draycott Avenue, with 24 homes, determined without residents able to comment in a public forum. That can’t be right, and it flies in the face of the commitment this Council (and many other councils) have made to give residents a voice in decisions that affect their area.
The reforms would also mean that councillors’ ability to call schemes in to be heard at committee will be taken away. Over the years, that has helped the borough a lot, giving residents a voice. Residents can raise schemes with their local councillors, who can ensure the local person can make their case in a public setting, getting a fair hearing and often making powerful arguments.
I think the changes are potentially really harmful to K+C. We have one of the most beautiful boroughs in London, and places in Britain, in part because the built environment has been protected over many years, with the help of residents, acting as custodians for future generations. Reducing your power to come to committee and support or oppose schemes – especially in Conservation Areas, which we are arguing should have a carve out, at a minimum, if Government refuses to think again – as custodians is a big risk to all we have built (and not built!).
I get why Labour want to take away your right to comment in public on schemes and let councillors decide. They think they know best. They want to centralise the system. They think that will speed up delivery of new homes. And building homes matters. I was born and raised in Chelsea and I know how much we need new, especially affordable, homes in our community. But doing it in this way erodes trust in our polity and threatens the borough’s precious local environment.
Now, you might say that it is too late to influence the Government. That they want to make the changes fast to speed up housebuilding. Still, I urge you to state your case. We should put our views to Government and dare them to press on in any case. We might just bring about a rethink, and if we do not, then they cannot say they have not been warned.
You can respond, making similar arguments, at https://consult.communities.gov.uk/planning/reform-of-planning-committees-technical-consultati before 11.59pm on 23 July 2025.
For more detailed information:
Reform of planning committees: technical consultation – GOV.UK
