KINGSTON AND NORTH KINGSTON NEIGHBOURHOOD
Conservation Areas Advisory Committee

PLANNING APPLICATION COMMENT FORM
DATE: 11 February 2026

N/A
 RBK ref:

25/02943/LBC 		Address: Former Scc Hq County Hall Penrhyn Road Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2EA

Planning Officer: James Hansel

Description of proposed works:

Listed Building Application to alter the roof finishes, roof lights, roof lanterns, install smoke shaft exit points at roof level and install ventilation and thermal insulation at roof level of the former Surrey County Hall.

APPRAISAL

By full committee on …… 11 February 2026 …… with …… 9 …… members present

Issued on 11 Feb 2026


1. Positive support
2. No objection
3. Objection
X
4. Objection unless revised as below
5. No comment/neutral
6. Lack of detail
7. Decision already issued



Reason for objection:

Objection. According to the applicant, there was no proper investigation into the condition of this building’s roofing prior to the extant planning consents. The new owners maintain that slate tiles now need replacing to all parts, listed & unlisted, together with changes to roof lights & the addition of new roof-mounted smoke shafts to meet residential fire regulations. In particular, the replacement of some historic roof lanterns & installation of modern smoke shafts standing up to 18 inches proud of the roof ridge lines would cause less than substantial harm to the historic structure of the Grade II* listed building for no public benefit.

We are cogniscent of prevailing fire regulations set out in BS 9991, ie the opening at the top of a smoke shaft should be located at least 0.5 m above any surrounding structure that fall within a 2 m radius on a horizontal plane so that it is not subject to adverse wind affects. Furthermore, the shaft should extend a minimum length of 2.5 m above the ceiling of the highest storey that is served by the shaft.

However, we agree with Historic England's advice that developers must consider seriously all work-arounds to preserve the character and appearance of listed buildings such as this Grade II* listed asset. In particular: a) low profile / conservation style smoke shaft terminals; b) use of all pre-existing ducting; c) screening behind existing parapets; d) extraction through external walls rather than through the roofing.