The objections in detail

Office use

• No justification for a 156% increase in office floor space from consented scheme
• The scale of speculative office development inappropriate for this constrained site
• The impact of the commercial development will unbalance the current mix of uses in South Kensington. Small business activity currently co-exists within the residential and retail functions of the area. A major office development will transform the area from that of a shopping area of character, to that of a major commercial employment centre.

Retail uses

• The scheme proposes a 7,500 sq.ft supermarket on Pelham Street. A supermarket would have a significantly detrimental impact on the surrounding residential area through an increase of vehicle, pedestrian activity, and long opening hours
• The retail element would result in the loss of small independent retailers, replacing them with high street multiples that are out of context with the area and its needs.