Proposals to transform Leconfield House, a former headquarters of MI5, into a hotel and private members’ club were withdrawn from Westminster City Council’s latest planning committee agenda.
Its owner Leconfield House Holdings, which lists Robert Tchenguiz as a director, submitted the plans earlier this year to redevelop the property into a 60 or 70-bedroom hotel, with a private members’ club on the 6th and 7th floors.
The plans included a 8,471 sq ft rooftop restaurant and 9,139 sq ft health club on one of the basement levels.
The scheme, which Westminster’s planning officers had recommended for approval, was due to be decided upon by the council at the same meeting as Grosvenor’s plans for the South Molton Triangle.
The planning officers reported that it was understood the hotel would be operated by Starwood Capital’s SH Hotels and Resorts Group and considered the scheme to be a “well-designed proposal which will preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Mayfair Conservation Area”.
However, the plans received 64 objections, including one from the Residents Society of Mayfair & St James’s, which said Leconfield House was an “inappropriate” location for a private members’ club and hotel and did not provide any amenity for local residents.
The Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum echoed the concern over a lack of public amenity and added that the “proposals represent a missed opportunity to enhance this part of the Mayfair Conservation Area with no residential floorspace being provided, no affordable housing, no affordable workspace”.
To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette
