British Land granted approval for landmark Mayfair scheme

British Land bought the site in November last year. Under its plans, the existing 1950s office buildings on the one acre site, which fronts Clarges Street and Piccadilly, will be demolished. Four new blocks will be constructed to comprise 47 new flats, including 11 affordable homes, offices, shops and a private members club to be occupied by the Kennel Club.

The Council granted planning permission for a similar scheme at the site in 2011. Under the new proposals the office floorspace has been reduced and the space for residential, retail and club uses have been increased.

The Council's planning officers said in the committee report (31-page / 7MB PDF) that the 23% affordable housing provision in the proposals did not comply with local policy, which requires a provision of 30%. However, they said that the developer had submitted a financial viability report to demonstrate that any increased on-site affordable housing provision or a payment in lieu would not be viable.

The officers set out proposed financial contributions to be made to the Council by British Land under a Section 106 Agreement including £200,000 towards public art and £72,000 towards off-site open space.

"This is a complex project involving detailed site assembly and reconfiguration, but our core development skills have delivered an exciting outcome for this important area of London," said British Land head of offices Tim Roberts in a statement when the application was submitted in April this year.

"We are big backers of London, and this is a rare opportunity to develop a freehold Mayfair site for a structurally under-supplied market," he added.