Mega basement approved by Camden Council following ban announcement

Plans to build a double-storey basement extension at a Swiss Cottage home have been approved just days after Camden Council announced proposals to ban multi-storey basement excavations across the borough.

The council’s development control committee approved an application from Mr D.N. Budhrani to dig a double basement under his home in Avenue Road last Thursday.

Mr Budhrani plans to build an underground games room and cinema, along with a swimming pool, gym and sauna, as part of the two-storey excavation.

Earlier this month, Camden Council announced plans to introduce rules limiting basement excavations to one-storey and banning them under listed buildings, following in the footsteps of Kensington and Chelsea Council which adopted the new rules in January to tackle the scourge of two and three-storey basements, or so-called “mega basements”.

The proposed new rules for basement builds are part of a raft of new planning policies currently under consultation.

The council hope to introduce the new policies by 2016 but will require government approval before the policies can come into force.

To view the draft policies and find out about the consultation, visit camden.gov.uk/localplan