Kensington Palace refuses to ditch plans for ‘twee’ portico

12 April 2012

The charity responsible for Kensington Palace is to renew its attempt to build an entrance portico.

Historic Royal Palaces has lodged an appeal against Kensington and Chelsea council's refusal of the planning application last summer when deputy council leader Daniel Moylan described the proposed cast iron loggia, pictured, as "twee" and like something "from a garden furniture catalogue".

The charity has also made a fresh application for a less ornate loggia designed by the same architect, John Simpson.

The proposal for the loggia had been enthusiastically supported by by experts and consultees, including English Heritage, and received over 40 letters of support. But Mr Moylan has argued that the palace requires no such new entrance point.

The committee also rejected pleas by HRP trustee Sir Trevor McDonald, who argued that the loggia was "a symbol of the relationship which should exist between palaces and people".

John Barnes, head of conservation at HRP, said: "The bottom line is that we firmly believe that Kensington Palace needs an architectural signal to indicate clearly our new visitor entrance to the palace and offer shelter to visitors in bad weather.

"So, following the refusal of our original loggia we considered whether to to appeal or redesign - and chose to do both.

"The revised loggia is less ornate and much simpler than the original design. We have also reduced the height of the loggia so that it does not obscure the windows to the same extent."

The appeal will be considered at a public enquiry, at which Mr Moylan may be cross-examined, which could take place in May or June.

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