The old police station in Belgravia

A FORMER police station in Belgravia is set to become a hotel with even more rooms under a newly approved scheme.

Belgravia Police Station was vacated in 2022, after a reorganisation of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Last year, plans to build a 206-room hotel across seven floors on the site were approved by Westminster City Council.

The scheme will now have a higher capacity, after a further 49 beds were added to proposals.

There will be no external changes and no increase to the hotel’s dimensions, although the plans include a slightly smaller food and beverage amenities and more wellness facilities.

Lorna McMahon, representing tenants of Fountain Court, told the committee that the additional hotel rooms would increase pressures on their already temperamental water supply.

“The existing water infrastructure is already failing the residents of Fountain Court. For around the last two years, residents of Fountain Court have experienced serious persistent problems with the Thames Water supply to our kitchens,” she told the Sub-Committee.

The hotel plans for the old police station in Belgravia

“During the day, the pressure is frequently extremely low. Most concerning, every night from 12am to 1am until 7am or 8am there is no cold mains water from the kitchen tap.”

Councillor Elizabeth Hitchcock, who represents Knightsbridge ward, said that the increase in rooms would affect local amenity.

“It is too late to question whether a sizable hotel in this largely residential area will have a negative effect on residents, as there is already a scheme in place.

“But the question is, would an additional 49 rooms on top of the 206 consented rooms tip the balance too far?” she said.

Aendre, which is the applicant, agreed to set-up a community liaison group to communicate with residents about the development and how it is progressing.

A condition was also enforced which will require the applicant to make sure that the development will not affect water pressure in the area before development begins.

Alex Barman-Lyons, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said: “We have engaged with local residents and community stakeholders throughout this process and we will maintain an open and constructive dialogue with the community through construction and operation.”

“The site has been vacant since 2022. These proposals will bring it back to active use, creating local jobs, welcoming businesses to Westminster and contributing to the local economy.”