Licensing/Permissions

1851 Commission/Conservation Areas

Description

There are numerous buildings at South Kensington Campus that are owned by the Royal Commission of 1851. Imperial are the tenant (leasehold) within these buildings. Prior to alteration or project works, the 1851 Commission needs to be consulted.

Conservation areas are designated zones with special architectural or historic character that local authorities aim to preserve or enhance. This means extra planning controls which protect buildings, trees and the area's unique appearance. This can restrict certain works like demolitionsor even window/door replacements often requiring detailed plans to ensure new developments fit in. 

Actions for 1851 Commission
  1. Confirm if your works take place in a leasehold building. If so, the Estates Records & Archives Officer will add a project subfolder to the relevant project file in Box. The 1851 Licensing Tracker will also be updated, all projects that are within the 1851 footprint are to be added to the 1851 Licensing Tracker. 
  2. Contact the Real Estate Property Team and provide a description of the project. Note: There are ongoing discussions to produce a definitive list of requirements that 1851 need to be provided by the Capital Projects Team. Depending on scope, the 1851 Commission will accept the existing project information. However, they may complete independent surveys of the project area. This will have a programme and cost implication. Details will follow on this process and 1851 requirements. 
  3. File all 1851 related information to the Box file provided by the Estates Records & Archives Officer (Project > PM & QS > Appraisal & Approval > 1851 Commission).
  4. 1851 consent information to be issued to the Real Estate Team, Director of Projects Delivery and Estates Records & Archives Officer. 
Actions for Conservation Areas
  1. Check the Campus Conservation Maps.
  2. If your project falls within a Conservation Area, contact the Real Estate Property Team and add to the Conservation Area Tracker.

Engagement 

  • Real Estate Team throughout the process
  • Estates Records & Archives Officer to notfy of an 1851-applicable project, and to issue 1851 consent once obtained.
  • Director of Projects Delivery to issue 1851 consent once obtained. 

Forms & Links

Planning Permissions/Listed Building Status

Description

Planning Permission is required if the work being carried out meets the statutory definition of "development" set out in Section 55 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. 

A number of Imperial buildings are classified as having Listed Building Status. A listed building is a structure legally protected for its special architectural or historic interest, meaning it's recognised as being of national importance and subject to strict controls for any changes, ensuring its preservation for the future. These buildings can be of any age, often over 30 years old, and are categorised by grade (e.g. Grade I, Grade II etc.), reflecting their significance, with all parts inside and out usually protected.  

Actions for Planning Permission
  1. Determine whether your project work requires Planning Permission based on the criteria above.
  2. If your project requires Planning Permission, contact the Real Estate Property Team and notify the Records & Archives Officer, who will add this to the Planning Permission Tracker. 
  3. Use Imperial approved Planning Consultants (e.g. Savills, Iceni) to assist with applications. Early engagement of Planning Consultants is key, allow 12 weeks for Planning Permission approval (from date of submission0 and 12 weeks for planning conditions. 
  4. Planning Permission confirmation to be issued to the Real Estate Property Team, Director of Projects Delivery and Records & Archives Officer. 
Actions for Listed Buildings
  1. Check the Campus Conservation Maps.
  2. If your project is in a building with listed status, contact the Real Estate Property Team and add to the Listed Status Tracker. 
  3. Discuss with Records & Archives Officer and the Real Estate Property Team for further actions. 

Engagement

  • Real Estate Team throughout this process.
  • Imperial Approved Planning Consultants (e.g. Savills, Iceni) to assist with Planning Permission Application. 
  • Estates Records & Archives Officer to notify of a Planning Permission applicable project, and issue confirmation of Planning Permission. 
  • Director of Projects Delivery to issue confirmation of Planning Permission.

Forms & Links

Approvals & Compliance Review

Planning Permission / Listed Building Approval will come from the appointed planning consultant via the relevant Local Authority. 

Repeated Subsequent RIBA Stages - Planning Permission & Listed Buildings

RIBA Stage 1 
  • Engage Planning Consultant to give a high level overview of the project. 
  • For Listed Buildings, both a Planning Consultant and Heritage Consultant should be engaged. 
RIBA Stage 2

If a Pre-Application has been recommended by the Planning Consultant during initial discussions, thie should submitted at RIBA 2.

RIBA Stages 3-4
  • Submit a full Planning Application/Listed Building Consent at the beginning of Stage 3.
  • Planning Approval/Listed Building Consent is required at this stage.
RIBA Stage 5

Respond to any planning conditions that need to be closed out "Pre-Occupation".

RIBA Stage 6 

Respond to any planning conditions that need to be closed out "Pre-Occupation".