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Newcombe House latest: 'Monstrosity' tower will be built after London mayor Sadiq Khan overrules council

Notting Hill: the Newcombe House plan: ES Local Feed
Notting Hill: the Newcombe House plan: ES Local Feed

A huge row has broken out today after Sadiq Khan overruled the local council to approve plans dubbed a monstrosity by residents.

The Mayor gave the green light to the major housing, shopping and office development — that includes a 17-storey tower — on the site of Fifties block Newcombe House by Notting Hill Gate Tube station.

Residents have said that the scheme would bring months of chaos and create an “overbearing” skyline. Mr Khan took over the planning decision in March after Kensington and Chelsea council twice blocked the plans. He said the redevelopment had “tremendous potential to revitalise this part of Notting Hill Gate”.

The new blueprint, submitted to City Hall in July, raised the height of two of the six buildings, increasing the number of affordable homes to meet the target of 35 per cent of the total.

City Hall said 19 of the 55 new flats would be let at “affordable” rents, with 15 of those either one-bed or two-bed social rent properties. There will also be a new GP surgery and step-free access to Notting Hill Gate station.

Mr Khan said: “I hope this will send a clear message that I expect developments to include more genuinely affordable housing and other benefits for local people.”

Richard Payne, chairman of residents’ group The Pembridge Association, said: “We’re not opposed to the development in principle but we wanted more social housing and a more attractive building.”

Sam Dunkley of Hillgate Village Residents’ Association added: “The flats would be mostly bought up by buy-to-leave types who are all from overseas, it’s blatantly obvious.”

Kensington and Chelsea today said it was “looking at all options” — leaving the door open to a possible bid for a judicial review.

Will Pascall, the council’s lead member for planning, said: “The Mayor is not listening to Londoners. This development is simply too tall and unsuited to the needs of the local area.”

Owner Brockton Capital said it was “delighted” by the decision to approve the scheme.