Why are we making the change?

• After much consideration of the pool design, our heritage experts were concerned that the heat and humidity of a heated pool could have led to damage of the timbers in the Grade II listed Riding School. It would have been possible but not optimal either for the pool or the building.
• It would not be efficient to heat and operate a pool within the huge volume of the building.

What are the benefits of the change?

• Improves public accessibility by giving entry to the pool through a managed reception at Queen’s Terrace
• Significant improvement in energy efficiency of the pool by heating a smaller volume of space – up to 90% reduction in heat load compared to the previous design
• Better pool facilities including changing rooms etc within purpose built environment
• Protects historic structure and also means less intervention into riding school space

What are the other implications of the change?

• Lower ground floor level needs to go just 27cm deeper than current plans to accommodate the pool (however this is still much shallower than the original plans for a double basement)
• Ground floor area of the riding school will offer amenities for private residents – concierge services, workspace, and lounge space, and a small residents catering kitchen (which was always present on site with extract etc. just relocated)
• It is worth noting that the works to date and under way on the riding school are all within our current listed building permission, much of the rest of the design reflects what we already have permission for with a simplification of use. For example, the mezzanine is permitted but we are reducing the number of stairs and lifts in this space enabling greater views of the listed walls and roof

Why are we making the change?

• We are aiming to ensure our scheme is energy efficient and sustainable
• Our planning application from 2015 does not reflect significant improvements in technology
• We are replacing a gas boiler system with the latest Air Source Heat Pump system
• We can now remove fossil fuels from the scheme (which retaining an option for a gas supply should it be required)
• We are also still installing Photovoltaics (solar panels) on some of the roofs, the locations have been subject to minor adjustments to suit the Air Soure Heat Pumps
• We are improving the insulation and air-tightness of the buildings

What are the benefits of the change?

• We will meet new energy standards called the 2021 Part L requirements – bringing our scheme right up to date in comparison with other projects – we are not obliged to do this, this a voluntary improvement
• Improves thermal values and efficiency
• Lower carbon footprint
• Lower emissions from the building
• Cheaper heating and hot water for our residents
• We will be one of the first major luxury developments to use all Heat Pump technology

What are the other implications of the change?

• The Heat Pumps are slightly bulkier than the existing roof plant
• We therefore need to make some changes to the roof veil which generally means a 30cm (300mm) height increase to shield the view and sound from the heat pumps
• This has been studied under verified views (perspective images) and is unnoticeable

Why are we making the change?

• Our scheme is based on 2015 building regulations and a number of things have changed since the Grenfell Tower disaster
• Fire safety regulations are changing, we want to get up to date and stay ahead of the rules
• The updates captured in this application are quite broad but would be summarised as: - Minor changes to the elevations of blocks to include new escape corridors
  - Changes at ground floor level to reflect new routes
  - Updates to the general arrangement plans on each floor
  - Landscape updates in line with the building changes

What are the benefits of the change?

• Meeting and exceeding new and anticipated fire regulations
• Improved safety for all of our residents
• Better access for firefighters and emergency personnel in case of an emergency

What are the other implications of the change?

• Minor changes to the look of each block
• Changes to the landscaping to reflect changes in the buildings
• Block 9 – affordable housing – will need a more substantial change, but is not included in this application. It will be subject to its own separate application shortly

Why are we making the change?

• Current planning policy in Westminster and London encourages car-free developments
• Demand for parking is dropping
• Simplifies construction
• We understand that affordable housing providers do not like car stacking systems as they add cost and complexity, raising service charges

What are the benefits of the change?

• Brings our development closer in line with other developments
• Reduced car use
• Improves environmental performance of the scheme
• More attractive and cheaper to operate for affordable housing providers
• This is key to the successful provision of this housing in the current cost of living situation

What are the other implications of the change?

• Residents in affordable housing units will have no car park spaces and will not be able to apply for street parking permits – this is in line with Westminster City Council policy
• If we have additional disabled residents in the affordable housing, we will identify additional spaces elsewhere on the project for them to use

Why are we making the change?

• We have revised our maintenance strategy and will be using Mobile Elevating Work Platforms - MEWPs (aka cherry-picker platforms) to maintain roofs and facades instead of cradles on cables from the roof
• We have taken the opportunity to make minor changes to roofs, parapets and mansards eg: on block 4a and 4b which were designed but never previously submitted after the buildings changed from villas to apartments

What are the benefits of the change?

• More efficient management
• Improved roof, parapet and mansard design for block 4a and 4b
• More efficient glazing design
• Less intrusive and safer maintenance plans with more flexibility

What are the other implications of the change?

• In some places, 50cm (500mm) increase in height, unnoticeable on the elevations
• Slightly wider paths through landscaping to accommodate the MEWP vehicles