Chelsea Barracks

Planning Brief for Chelsea Barracks, SW1 - Adopted 5 October 2006

Chelsea Barracks is a 5.18 ha site, occupying a significant length of the City's boundary with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Ministry of Defence disposed of this and relocated to Woolwich, releasing the site for private re-development. Westminster City Council considers that this site offers a unique opportunity in the City for a major residential development with substantial affordable housing and associated community uses, in particular, an area of open space.

A brief was prepared by Westminster City Council in consultation with key stakeholders, including local residents, to provide a planning framework for the future development of the site. Following extensive public consultation on a draft brief between 15 May and 7 July 2006, a revised planning brief was agreed for formal adoption by Westminster's Planning and City Development Committee on 5 October 2006.

• Chelsea Barracks Adopted Planning Brief 2006 (10MB)

The brief sets out the relevant Unitary Development Plan policies which will affect the type of development, in terms of form and uses, that will be expected on this site. In summary, the brief requires:

• A residential development, with associated community facilities, to include 50% affordable housing (including residents in housing need and key workers).
• A substantial amount of public open space.
• A new development which achieves a very high architectural and public realm/townscape standard, reflecting the site's location and importance, and relates sensitively to the context provided by the surrounding townscape.
• A sustainable development in terms of design and construction, utilising the very latest environmental and sustainability practices and technology.

A Planning Application was submitted to the council in April 2008.  The application was withdrawn before a decision was made.   Statement on the decision of Qatari Diar to withdraw the Chelsea Barracks planning application.

Other documents relating to this brief are:

• Committee Report
• Schedule of Responses