Purpose and Aims
The St James’s Conservation Trust works closely with the City of Westminster and English Heritage to bring attention to specific, locally relevant planning and design issues that will impact the extraordinary area of St James’s.
St James’s has one of the country’s highest densities of listed buildings of historic or architectural importance. It is one of the most interesting, eclectic areas of London and includes the ancient Palace and the historic 17th century St. James’s grid. However, the area is witnessing a period of great change. The Trust, being a local, expert resource, plays a crucial role in monitoring and giving guidance regarding the preservation and development of such an architecturally important area and trying to prevent some of the damage that has been done in the past from being repeated.
In resisting inappropriate new development proposals the Trust always looks to initiate practical discussions with major landowners such as the Crown Estate as well as any independent developers and architects.
Special Reports
Where a need is identified, the Trust will commission ad hoc studies and reports. These studies are available for download.
An Audit of Alfresco Issues in St. James’s
This report, “An Audit of Alfresco Issues in St. James’s” has been produced by Peter Heath Architect and Town Planner, Design Director Atkins Ltd Member of SNC-Lavalin Group, advisor to the St. James’s Conservation Trust, and commissioned by Chairman Andrew Love, email confirmation dated 31 May 2021.
How to Make E-Bike Hire Complaints
Confirm that Operators log calls and respond within 30 minutes as promised
Neighbourhood Forum Regulation 14 Report
St. James’s Neighbourhood Forum
Regulation 14 report Concilio update
E-scooter and Dockless Cycle Hire
St. James’s Conservation Trust : E-scooter and dockless cycle hire consultation response : 7 August 2023.
An Audit of Roof Terrace Issues – March 2022
There are an increasing number of planning applications for new buildings and increased height of existing buildings where rooftops and terraces have been an integral part of the proposals.
Study of Art in St James’s 2019
This study of art and related uses in St James’s is an update of a study of galleries undertaken in 2012 by the Westminster City Planning Delivery Unit.
Review of Licensing 2019
This study provides an updated database of the quantity, type, distribution and opening hours of licensed premises in St James’s, follows previous reviews of licensing in 1999, 2005 and 2015.
Paving Stone Survey June 2008
St. James’s is rightly known as the finest small area in of London. Unfortunately its footpaths are cheaply surfaced and badly neglected. The report is an analysis of a very distressing situation and has proposed recommendations to the council when funds allow.
Rooftop Architecture in St. James’s
A visual survey was undertaken within sample areas of St. James’s, looking at individual rooftop “plant” installations at a number of locations. As well as putting the investigation in context, the survey demonstrated the impact of these on local residents and visitors
Consultation by the City Council
on the contents of:
- The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and the Revised UDP 2007 (The core area was, for the first time, included as a separate entity from Mayfair)
- The Conservation Audit St James’s No 17
- Supplementary Planning Guidance for Entertainment Uses St James’s
- (It has used the Trust’s first two studies as references)
- Local Development Framework-Core Strategy
- Statement of Licensing Policy – 2005 and 2008
- West End Stress area. The Stress Areas in Westminster are relevant to both planning and licensing, and the core area of St. .James’s lies adjacent to the West End Stress Area. Being part of the City Council’s Central Activities Area it is vulnerable to inappropriate Planning and Licensing developments; however, it if were included within the West End Stress Area, it would be afforded significantly more protection.
After strong lobbying from the Trust, the UDP was amended to take into consideration and to monitor developments on the edges of the Stress Areas.
WESTMINSTER WAY-public realm strategy. Design principles and practice. Supplementary Planning Document December 2009.
Local Development Framework (LDF)
- Core Strategy. Adopted by the City Council January 2011. The Trust made written responses to the City Council and appeared before the Planning in 2010 to give evidence on a number of important matters related to the core area of St James’s.
- The establishment of historic St James’s as a Special Policy Area (SPA) in January 2011 resulted from the Trust’s work in making an architectural case and is included in the Core Strategy. The SPA gives special planning protection to the private members clubs, the art galleries and the specialist shops.
- City Management Plan, Consultation draft January 2011. The Trust responded to 28 of the 59 sections or chapters of this document and it is of note that the St James’s SPA will receive the same planning protection for A3 uses as already exists in the adjacent West End Stress Area.
St James’s A3-Food and Drink Study 2005
The Trust has been aware that the core area of St James’s was becoming vulnerable from an ever increasing number of licensing applications. Being part of the Central Activities Zone (CAZ) where planning restrictions are less strict than in the adjacent West End Stress area, there was a fear that the 2003 Licensing Act would result in an excess and cumulative impact of licensed premises in the core area of St James. The Study was timely and has been used as a reference by the City Council.
Architecture Suitable for St James’s 2008
An illustrated analysis of the area and its architectural merits sets out eight principles for architectural standards suitable to St James’s in the 21st century, which the City Council has welcomed as an aid to raising the standard of new architecture in the area.
Planning and Licensing
Since the Trusts’s inception in 1998, it has worked closely with Westminster City Council; the ward’s three councillors; the Department of Planning and City Development; and the Licensing Services.
Each week the Trust receives all relevant planning and licensing applications, and its comments are always given thorough consideration by Westminster Council.
An independent stakeholder that retains its own legal counsel and advisers in respect of planning and licensing matters, the Trust frequently meets members and senior officers of the City Council to discuss relevant issues concerning the core area of St. James’s.