Kensington Palace's £24million basement plans slammed

Kensington Palace's £24million basement plans slammed



'Residents have slammed plans to build a £24million 'super-basement' at Kensington Palace, amid claims that planners have been left 'bedazzled by courtiers'.

It comes after a proposal was submitted to a build 160-foot long, two-storey basement next to the Grade I listed Queen Anne's Orangery

The extension would accommodate staff at the palace who will have to make way for the return of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

William and Kate are due to move full-time with their children this autumn after the prince ends his two-year rescue pilot job and takes on full-time royal duties.



The plans have caused outrage among some because, under local planning regulations, applicants are not allowed to build double storey basements.

However, it is understood planning officials will consider making an exception on this occasion due to the size and importance of site.

The work is also unlikely to disturb the daily lives of those living in the immediate vicinity.

This has angered residents in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the capital's wealthiest borough, where the average home costs more than £1.4 million.

Donald Cameron has called it as a 'thoroughly shoddy episode'.

Retired telecoms executive Donald, 65, said: 'This is an historic building and should not be disturbed.

'There can be no justification for a double basement. The Orangery is a central feature of the park which should be maintained as a peaceful facility for Londoners.

'The consultation is bogus and the planning department seems to have been bedazzled by courtiers when giving pre-application advice.'



Other residents have written to the council to share their concerns about plans at the Orangery, which was built between 1704 and 1705, on the commission of Queen Anne.

Patrick Hope-Falkner said: 'Is everyone cowed by the involvement of a Royal Palace? No one is above the law. And the law in RBKC is subject to CL7 and the latest SPD (Supplementary Planning Document) on basements.

'Only if the planning department and local planning authority want to drive a coach and horses through their own regulations and guidelines, should this application be allowed to go any further.

'It would be a traumatic development to a listed building and a blatant defiance of the two storey rule to allow it.'



Marion Gettleson added: 'The Orangery has long been a much loved and visited feature of a famous architectural and historical grouping.

'As such, the property should be respected and left alone. The disturbance caused by the excavations etc will cause considerable harm to the surrounding area for a long time.

'While somewhat less venerable, the immediate neighbourhood is also of great architectural, historical and political significance.

'It is very much hoped that other arrangement will be made for the proposed uses for a new basement on this site.'

Residents have also raised issues about potential damage to trees and wildlife which would be removed as part of the proposals.

Official plans for the Orangery's mega-basement were submitted to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea by Historic Royal Palaces last month.

The proposed development will include one level above ground and two subterranean levels. It will house palace staff, a kitchen to support the orangery restaurant and an area to store ceremonial dresses.

Andrew Langton, chairman of the high-end London estate agency, Aylesford International, estimates the extension will cost around £24 million to build.

The council has so far received 14 objection letters from locals and four letters of support.

Support has come from local bodies and organisations made up of The Science Museum, Exhibition Road Cultural Group, Friend of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, and the Royal Albert Hall.



Donald Cameron, who has used the park grounds for 35 years, also pointed out it is not the first time controversial plans for the palace get the go-ahead.

He added: 'First it was the new cast iron awning for the Palace entrance which was vigorously opposed by architectural expert and Deputy Leader of the Borough, Cllr Daniel Moylan. He was steamrollered.'

The cast iron awning, or loggia, he referred to was designed by John Simpson, a favourite architect of Prince Charles, who was behind the village of Poundbury in Dorset.

It was described as 'twee' by Cllr Moylan who added it was akin to 'something from a garden furniture catalogue'.

The loggia was eventually approved in 2011 by the planning inspectorate following an appeal.

The application has been put forward by Historic Royal Palaces, the charity which looks after the state apartments at the palace.

It defended the proposed basement, which it says will be funded by donations and charity rather than the taxpayer.



A statement said: 'Our plans have been very carefully considered and developed in consultation with stakeholders including the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Historic England.

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