Maida Vale councillors have welcomed the decision of last night’s Westminster Planning Committee to refuse permission for a basement conversion at Wymering Mansions.

The new flat proposed for undeveloped storage units and a “crawl space” beneath the block would have had low ceilings, little natural light and no access for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Worse, the new flat would only be accessible via a 50m walk through a narrow gate and through the garden at the rear of the block. The London Fire Brigade objected saying the challenging location would delay attendance if the flat caught fire.

Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Maida Vale ward, spoke on behalf of concerned neighbours at the Planning Committee meeting. He said:

“This proposed flat provides sub-standard and dangerous accommodation. In three years on the Planning Committee, I’ve never seen a worse design.”

Link to the planning application: https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=Q95GF1RPIGB00&activeTab=summary