Published: Tuesday 11 May 2021
New planning guidelines for developers are being introduced today to help protect world class healthcare services at the site of the Royal Brompton Hospital for future generations.
Developers looking to build at the site in the future will need to show how they have protected healthcare services in their plans and how new developments compliment medical uses on the site.
The planning guidance has been given the green light by Kensington and Chelsea Council after a six-week consultation with residents. It has been introduced the NHS proposals sparked concern from residents and councillors that the specialist cardiac facilities could be lost from the area, negatively impacting the community and local economy. The hospital has provided lifesaving treatment and conducted ground-breaking research during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member for Planning, said:
“We welcome developers’ investment in our borough, but we refused to entertain the prospect of losing pioneering research and lifesaving treatment in Chelsea. Developers who want to build on the Royal Brompton Hospital site in the future will need to show us how their project promotes and protects healthcare services.
“We’ve done the sums. There are lots of viable commercial options that could help keep acute healthcare services while supporting the community too, from elderly residential care to key worker housing.”
The guidance sets out five principles which future developers must adhere to are:
- Retain and enhance the world class medical facilities
- Demonstrate how any development required to retain the facilities complements its medical uses
- Protects the historic local environment with high quality design
- Upgrade connections and local urban spaces
- Meet the council’s environmental requirements: improving air quality, boosting biodiversity and contributing to Vision Carbon Zero – the Council’s ambition for a carbon neutral borough by 2040.
A consultation took place in November and December 2020 on the draft guidance, known as Supplementary Planning Document for Royal Brompton Hospital, receiving responses from residents and organisations. Read the full guidance and the key decision report on the Council website.