- Decision
- allowed, 7 September 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: P Storey
- Authority
- Westminster (London)
- Appeal reference
- 6007846
- Application reference
- 25/04302/FULL
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Three wall-mounted condensers with acoustic wall and one enclosed ground-level condenser in basement courtyards of a Grade II terrace
- Site context
- conservation area, listed building setting
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- Westminster City Plan Policy 33
- Development plan policies
- Westminster City Plan 2019-2040 Policies 7, 33, Environment SPD 2026
- Main issues
- noise
Summary
Air-conditioning condensers were allowed after the inspector held that an ambient level equal to the WHO guideline does not 'exceed' it. So the less stringent day-time limit applied, and the noise assessment's predictions met the SPD limits (DL 11-16).
What made the difference
The ordinary-meaning reading of 'exceeds' in the Council's own SPD, and an unchallenged noise methodology.
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| P3 | accord | daytime ambient 55 dB is equal to, not above, the WHO 55 dB value, so the less onerous ESPD plant criterion applies by day; limits met (DL 11-16) |
Key facts
- Listed building consent already granted for the works (DL 21)
- Framework revisions raise no new issues; no consultation (DL 3)
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.