Chelsea Creek Scheme with 274 Flats Makes Progress
Concerns about 'canyonisation' of Lots Road dismissed by planning committee
The scheme includes a new community centre, café and community work space. Picture: Miller Hare
December 19, 2025
A Chelsea neighbourhood where residents have "construction fatigue" following two decades of constant building works is set to see another 274 flats built.
Kensington and Chelsea Council's Planning Committee approved the development by Chelsea Creek in a five to zero vote on Tuesday (16 December). Also known as the Lots Road South scheme, it will provide 118 affordable units, of which 65 will be extra care properties while 53 will be 'general needs' and they will all be available at social rent.
Speaking at the meeting, local ward councillor Laura Burns said residents have been living alongside construction works "for over 20 years". She said: "First, Chelsea Waterfront, then the Chelsea Academy, and various other schemes. Understandably, people are feeling the cumulative impact and this proposal adds another significant development to an already-stretched neighbourhood."
Objectors said they fear the height of buildings would lead to a "canyonisation" of Lots Road. Developer Mount Anvil said high towers were needed if social and affordable housing is provided. The council plans to purchase the affordable homes and enter into long term lease arrangements for new affordable workspace and the new community centre, which are also being built.
The development includes 2,577sqm of open space including a green community square, a promenade along the creek, new public access routes through the site, widened footpaths on Lots Road, and active ground-floor frontages. Nearly 50 new trees will be included, as well as biodiverse roofs, a new creek wall and landscaping.
Committee Chair, Cllr James Husband, said the buildings fronting Lots Road, which will only be five storeys in height, were "acceptable". He acknowledged residents' concerns about the amount of construction in the area and said a Construction Traffic Management Plan would be subject to a call-in by councillors. This means the traffic plan for the construction phase of the development may go back to the committee.
The Lots Road South plan caused concerns about 'canyonisation'. Picture: Miller Hare.
Following the decision, Cllr Emma Will, Lead Member for Property, said the council can now move forward with delivering high-quality homes and much-needed extra care housing. She said, "This development will make a real difference to people's lives and to the local community."
The site, which is owned by Kensington and Chelsea Council, also includes some land in neighbouring Hammersmith and Fulham.
She also said the council would work with Mount Anvil to minimise disruption to residents. She added, "We cannot forget that London is in the middle of a housing crisis and this development will help many residents secure a safe and affordable home."
Marcus Bate, Partnerships, Planning, Communities and Sustainability Director at Mount Anvil, said, "We are proud to have worked closely and collaboratively alongside the local community and our partners to achieve this milestone. The new homes at Lots Road South are going to significantly contribute to Kensington and Chelsea hitting its housing targets.
"The affordable homes in particular will address a distinct local need and give the residents living in them independence and an enhanced quality of life. Now we can look forward to getting underway with delivering these homes for London next year."
The Lots Road site sits in the south-west corner of Kensington and Chelsea with about a third of it over the borough boundary in neighbouring Hammersmith and Fulham. A separate but identical application is due to go before Hammersmith and Fulham Council and will need their approval to enable the development to proceed.
The land is currently home to a mix of businesses such as a self-storage facility. Space has been secured on Lots Road for the potential return of the Auction House, which moved off site in March 2024 to enable the development to proceed.
Under the council and Mount Anvil's scheme the existing buildings would be demolished and replaced with the three buildings between five and 13 storeys tall.
Adrian Zorzut - Local Democracy Reporter