# 106-110 Belgrave Road, Pimlico (courtyard condensers)

- **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
- **Tags:** tier-2, noise, transitional-no-consultation

## 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
- **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
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6007846
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/74436948-d55e-454b-872d-44a37009b89a

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6007846.html

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