Controversial Rogers scheme looks set to win planning on 18 June

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners’ controversial designs for Chelsea Barracks looks set to win planning consent on 18 June after the council’s planning committee said it “should be able to gain broad support when presented for a final decision.”

The Rogers team, which includes Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and masterplanner Thomas Heatherwick, has altered its designs for the development since the original planning application was made in September 2008.

Now, it looks as if the alterations have found approval by Westminster’s planning committee, which said the designs were of “exceptionally high quality”.

In a 130-page report published this morning, the committee noted the “contentious” nature of the development’s scale and design approach, but said that “when compared to the inappropriate and disjointed collection of sixties buildings on the site the proposed development, by a combination of its architecture, generous open space and treatment of space between buildings, will significantly enhance the immediate townscape.”

The committee also supported developer Project Blue (Guernsey)’s proposal to demolish a chapel on the site, which is the subject of a listing application by English Heritage.

However, the committee requested some alterations be made to the palette of the buildings and landscaping, and asked that “full and persuasive” justification be given for the design team’s decisions.

Chelsea Barracks has been the subject of bitter debate between local residents as to the quality and scale of the scheme, a debate which reached fever pitch after it emerged the Prince of Wales was not in favour of the designs. A campaign group, the Chelsea Barracks Action Group, has threatened legal action if its planning application is successful on 18 June.

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