Basement Conversions in Kensington, W8
Cellar and basement conversions in Kensington: dry, habitable rooms below ground with designed waterproofing, natural light and building control approval.
Covered under one contract
- Structural design and calculations
- Planning or lawful development certificate
- New staircase, dormer and roof windows
- Insulation, fire safety and building control
- En-suite designed and fitted
- Waterproofing with guarantee for basements
Basement Conversions in Kensington.
Where a house cannot grow outwards or upwards, it can grow downwards. Many of the older houses in Kensington already have a cellar or vaults, and converting them into a usable floor is a well-established route to a utility room, guest suite, study or cinema room.
The two things that decide whether a basement works are waterproofing and light. We use a designed system, normally a cavity drainage membrane with a sump and pump, which carries a guarantee, and we bring light in through a lightwell or a rear opening where the site allows. Ceiling height, drainage and structure are all surveyed at the outset.
Converting an existing cellar without changing the exterior of the house does not usually need planning permission. Lightwells, listed buildings and new excavation do, and the central London boroughs have their own basement policies with impact assessments. All basements need building regulations approval and most involve party wall notices, which we prepare and serve.
- Area
- Kensington, W8
- Council
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
- Housing
- Stucco and red-brick Victorian terraces, garden squares, mews houses, mansion flats and large detached villas off Kensington Church Street
- Transport
- High Street Kensington, Gloucester Road
- Basement, existing cellar
- 10 to 16 weeks
- Consent
- Often permitted development for lofts
- Waterproofing
- Guaranteed system, designed for the site
Kensington: the houses and the planning rules.
Kensington is one of the most consistently protected residential districts in London: white stucco terraces and garden squares south of the High Street, red-brick Queen Anne revival houses around Kensington Court and Phillimore Gardens, and a scatter of mews behind them. Almost every street is in a conservation area and a large share of the houses are listed.
The projects we see here are deep refurbishments of houses that have been divided and reunited over the years, lateral flats in the mansion blocks, and basements under the larger houses where the borough's policy allows. Design quality is scrutinised closely, so drawings and heritage statements have to be right first time.
The Kensington, Kensington Square, De Vere, Edwardes Square and Kensington Palace conservation areas cover almost the whole district.
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
RBKC decides applications and has some of the most detailed conservation area guidance in London, with Article 4 directions on many streets removing permitted development rights.
Basements
The borough's basement policy limits new basements to a single storey under no more than half the garden, with a construction traffic management plan and an impact assessment.
Listed buildings
Many houses are Grade II listed, so internal alterations need listed building consent alongside planning permission.
Approvals for basement conversions in Kensington.
Converting an existing cellar without altering the exterior does not usually need planning permission; lightwells, listed buildings and new excavation do. Every basement needs building regulations approval and a designed waterproofing system, and most involve party wall notices.
RBKC decides applications and has some of the most detailed conservation area guidance in London, with Article 4 directions on many streets removing permitted development rights.
What basement conversions in Kensington includes.
- Structural design and calculations
- Planning or lawful development certificate
- New staircase, dormer and roof windows
- Insulation, fire safety and building control
- En-suite designed and fitted
- Waterproofing with guarantee for basements
From site visit to handover.
- 01
Site visit & consultation
We visit, listen and measure. Brief, budget and constraints understood before any advice is given.
- 02
Design & itemised quote
Our architects and engineers draw the scheme, and from that we provide a transparent, itemised quotation for your approval.
- 03
Planning & approvals
Planning applications, building control and party wall matters handled for you.
- 04
Build, managed weekly
Our own trades, sequenced by a site manager. Progress reported every week.
- 05
Handover & aftercare
Joint snagging walk-through, documentation, and a guarantee on our workmanship.
Basement Conversions in Kensington: your questions.
Can I convert a cellar in Kensington?
Usually. Converting an existing cellar without changing the outside of the house does not normally need planning permission. Lightwells, listed buildings and new excavation do, and every basement needs building regulations approval.
How do you keep a converted basement dry?
With a designed waterproofing system, typically a cavity drainage membrane with a sump and pump, or tanking where appropriate. It carries a guarantee and is designed for the ground conditions found on site.
Which parts of Kensington do you cover?
All of Kensington and W8, including Kensington Church Street, Phillimore Gardens, Kensington Square, Edwardes Square, Victoria Road, Campden Hill Road, and the neighbouring districts. We are based in London and our teams work across central, north, north-west, west and south-west London.
Other services in Kensington.
House Refurbishment in Kensington
Read more
Flat Refurbishment in Kensington
Read more
House Extensions in Kensington
Read more
Structural Alterations in Kensington
Read more
Loft Conversions in Kensington
Read more
Kitchen Renovation in Kensington
Read more
Bathroom Renovation in Kensington
Read more
Bespoke Joinery & Fitted Furniture in Kensington
Read more
Architectural & Interior Design in Kensington
Read more
Planning Permission & Building Regulations in Kensington
Read moreBasement Conversions across London.
Central London
All of Central LondonNorth London
All of North LondonNorth-West London
All of North-West LondonTalk to us about a basement conversion in Kensington.
We will visit, listen and explain what is possible for your property and how it would be approved. No pressure, no sales pitch.