Plans for boutique hotel at Whiteleys shopping centre approved

Plans for a 30-bedroom hotel as part of a wider £1b plan to develop Whiteleys shopping centre in Bayswater, London have been approved by Westminster Council.

Despite more than 1,000 people signing a petition against the mixed-use redevelopment scheme, councillors backed plans by a three to one majority at a planning committee on Tuesday night (29 March).

The scheme will see the demolition of the 1980s shopping centre behind the Queensway façade. A boutique hotel, more than 100 homes, retail outlets, gym and basement cinema will be constructed in its place.

Protestors argued the new development would "dominate" the skyline in the area and would cause "harm" to the listed building.

Under the plans, the Grade II-listed Edwardian façade will be retained incorporating the iconic central dome but two 10-storey blocks will be added to the £1b redevelopment.

Architects Fosters & Partners said it has carefully considered the original 1911 design by John Belcher and John James Joass.

It said: the proposed development will restore Whiteleys to the centre of a rejuvenated Queensway and replace a failed shopping centre with a location that will be used daily by local residents and tourists, revitalising the area."

The scheme will be funded by a joint venture between Meyer Bergman-advised fund and Warrior Group, which has been working with the council on the proposals since 2013.

Around 100 people staged a protest last week outside the shopping centre ahead of the decision by Westminster council.

Critics of the scheme have included the Victorian Society, Twentieth Century Society, Ancient Monuments Society and Save Britain's Heritage.

Plans submitted for boutique hotel at Whiteleys shopping centre >>