The original application was deferred by Westminster Planning Committee in November 2007. Working closely with English Heritage and Westminster planning and design officers, revisions were made to the plans on a number of issues including materials, massing and bulk and the Shaftesbury Avenue facade – the entrance to the new hotel.

The issues were carefully and sensitively resolved, and last night’s success means the hotel is likely to be ready for opening prior to the London 2012 Olympics.

The approved plans include:

• A new 3 star hotel for the upper floors that currently lie empty
• A smart new frontage to Shaftesbury Avenue in traditional Portland Stone
• Eight superb new residential apartments behind the listed Lyons Corner facade
• Over £2million towards community facilities, improvements to roads, pavements, lighting and CCTV – making the whole area safer, smarter and a more family friendly destination.
• New Sedum roofs which improve air quality by producing oxygen.

Michael Hughes, for London Trocadero Limited, spoke of the community benefits of this development: “The hotel revitalises a significant amount of empty space inside the Trocadero – but it is also important for us to look outside – to address further positive changes we can make in the wider area. We will contribute £500,000 towards Westminster Council’s Leicester Square regeneration programme.

“A further £1m will go towards upgrading the pavements on Rupert Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, enhanced lighting, improving roads, opening up blank facades and CCTV provision. Such improvements not only benefit the pedestrian experience, but local businesses and the wider West End tourist economy.

“The London Trocadero will now become a safer, smarter and stylish family destination. ”

Louise Merrett, project architect at Sheppard Robson said of the new apartments: “The south facing aspect and elevation of Lyons Corner make it ideal for residential accommodation. Inside there are generous floor to ceiling heights, and we can retain these, while sympathetically sub-dividing the space. The apartments will have their own private foyer entrance on Coventry Street, and have spectacular views across the west end and beyond with access to south facing balconies.
An additional £500,000 will go towards a Community Arts Space in the redevelopment.


NOTES

1. Main changes to the deferred scheme
A. bulk/massing
• Stepped back the upper floors from the building perimeter.
• Removed the 9th floor bedrooms.
• Terminated the lift core at 8th floor and concealed it within body of the hotel.
• View from Gerrard Street is broken down into a series of stepped volumes, successfully reducing the bulk.

B. design of the Shaftesbury Avenue façade
• New Portland stone elevation with deeply recessed windows to replace glass façade.
• Portland stone is a characteristic building material of the area, chosen to contrast to the red sandstone and terracotta of the adjoining buildings, in order to enhance the idea of the street as a series of buildings, rather than one massive block.
• Design now more traditional - in keeping with the prevailing character of masonry buildings with punch-hole windows.
• Window openings and recessed joints respond to the design of the listed Avenue Mansions, and also to the Victorian elevation of Vernon House.

C. S106 monies
• £0.5m towards public art and public realm improvements in the Leicester Square area.
• £0.5m towards a Community Arts Space
• £50,000 towards CCTV
• £980,000 towards improving local roads, lighting and pavements.
• £72,300 contribution towards temporary relocation of Chinese Community Centre

2. Hotel
Ibis are lined up to operate the hotel.