Final proposals for amendments to Phase 5 of the Chelsea Barracks Masterplan

Qatari Diar is pleased to invite you to view the final proposals for amendments to Phase 5 of the Chelsea Barracks Masterplan.

Since planning consent for the Chelsea Barracks Masterplan was granted in 2012, housing need and market conditions in Westminster have shifted.

To secure the timely delivery of the next phase of the masterplan, Phase 5, we are proposing to replace the 20 consented townhouses with 87 high-quality apartments. This approach will better meet today’s housing need while preserving the design principles of the consented masterplan.

Following two phases of public consultation in April and July 2025 and conversations with officers at Westminster City Council, we have carefully reviewed all feedback received. We will shortly be submitting a planning application to Westminster City Council and look forward to keeping you updated as the process continues.

To this end, we will be holding a residents’ presentation where you can view the proposals, discuss questions and feedback with the project team, and learn about the next steps in the planning process. Read on for full details of the final proposals

The Consultation so Far

Our final plans have been shaped by two phases of consultation, held in March–April and June–July 2025.

The first phase introduced the principle of the amendments. We reached local people through 5,000 flyers and 1,700 letters, supported by social media and our consultation website, which received over 2,600 views. Three events were held at the Retail Unit in Garrison Square—a residents’ presentation and two public drop-ins—attended by 72 people who shared their feedback with the project team.

The second phase presented more developed proposals, using the same approach to reach the community. Once again, 5,000 flyers and 1,700 letters were distributed, supported by social media and the website, which received 1,800 views. Another three events were held at the Retail Unit, including a residents’ presentation and two drop-ins, with 48 people attending to view the updated plans and speak directly with the team.

We’d like to thank everyone who engaged across both phases, whether in person or online. All feedback has been carefully reviewed and has informed the final proposals now being brought forward.

Engagement and Feedback Across Both Phases

flyers distributed

website views

attendees across consultation events

letters to immediate neighbours

Support for replacing townhouses with apartments

Calls for continued integration with the local community

Support for the sensitive approach to height and massing

Questions around the timeline for future phases

Questions around parking and traffic strategy

Feedback – Key Themes

The Story So Far

Chelsea Barracks is a major residential development located in the heart of Belgravia at the site of the former army barracks, Chelsea Bridge Road. The site sits just a short walk from Sloane Square tube station, and is bounded by Chelsea Bridge Road, Pimlico Road and Ebury Bridge Road.

In 2007 Qatari Diar acquired the site, with ambitions to transform it to deliver a new residential-led neighbourhood. In 2012, we secured planning consent for the Chelsea Barracks Masterplan to create a new high-quality residential community centred around five attractive garden squares. Inspired by nearby precedents like Wellington Square, the masterplan reflects the urban pattern of London’s historic great estates, with a network of streets and spaces centred around a central garden square.

The Chelsea Barracks Masterplan is divided into 6 distinct phases. To date, phases 1-3 have been completed, and Chelsea Barracks welcomed its first residents in 2019. Phase 4 is currently being delivered, and our priority is now to review Phase 5 to ensure the viable and timely delivery of the masterplan.

Timeline

2007

Diagram of the Chelsea Barracks masterplan, showing the development phases and indicating the areas completed to date.

Qatari Diar acquires the site

2012

Planning permission secured for the Chelsea Barracks masterplan

2014

D model showcasing the Chelsea Barracks masterplan, highlighting the layout and architectural design of the development.

Detailed planning consent granted

2019

Residents living at the Chelsea Barracks development

Chelsea Barracks welcomes its first residents

2025

View of completed homes at the Chelsea Barracks site, showcasing the finished residential buildings and surroundings.

Phases 1-3 complete, phase 4 under construction

The existing consent for Phase 5

Phase 5, the next phase of the masterplan, is located at the northern end of the Chelsea Barracks masterplan. It is flanked by Phases 3 and 6, with the Garrison Chapel to the west and St Barnabas Street townhouses to the north. It consists of three proposed blocks – 12, 13, and 14.

The consented proposal for Phase 5 of Chelsea Barracks would deliver 20 luxury townhouses across three blocks of up to four storeys.

Since the initial planning consent, both the residential market conditions and housing demand in Westminster have undergone significant change. To progress the masterplan, it is essential that our proposals respond to this evolving context to deliver a scheme which genuinely meets the needs of new and existing residents

The proposed amendments to Phase 5 continue to represent an opportunity to optimise housing delivery while preserving the amenity of our neighbours and upholding the design principles of the consented masterplan. Our revised plans propose replacing 20 townhouses with approximately 87 apartment units, ensuring a broader mix of housing types while minimising alterations to the consented height and massing to prevent any impact on neighbouring properties.

You can find more about our updated vision for the amendments to Phase 5 below.

Diagram illustrating the massing and unit distribution of the consented scheme.

Consented Scheme – Massing

Our Commitment to the Local Community

To date, the Chelsea Barracks development has made a landmark contribution to social value in the City of Westminster.

In the last decade, Qatari Diar have contributed £78 million to Westminster City Council’s affordable housing fund, making the Chelsea Barracks development the largest contributor to the financing of affordable housing in the borough.

New exhibition space for The King’s Foundation at The Garrison Chapel

We have also made extensive efforts to ensure Chelsea Barracks provides a new hub for the local community. As well as hosting a lively programme of community events from the Artisan Fairs to seasonal celebrations, the Chelsea Barracks development has delivered a new home for the King’s Foundation at the Garrison Chapel, creating a public exhibition space for the charity to showcase the work of its students and graduates, with particular emphasis on traditional arts and heritage craft skills. The King’s Foundation also host a range of widely accessible events and workshops to encourage connectivity in the community – ensuring that the Chapel continues to play a pivotal role in the neighbourhood and beyond.

Community events hosted at Chelsea Barracks

Following four successful sculpture trails, Chelsea Barracks will continue to develop its free outdoor programme of contemporary art. Qatari Diar remains focused on generating a space for the community, residents and wider neighbourhood to connect and engage in the world of contemporary art amongst the site’s architecture, public grounds and gardens. We are committed to encouraging the community to enjoy and spend time at Chelsea Barracks through this public art programme, as well as various seasonal events.

Our commitment to genuine social value was recognised at the 2021 Civic Trust Award, which acknowledged Chelsea Barracks’ positive impact on the wider community. We are proud of the partnership we have built, and are committed to continuing our work with the local community. Updating our proposals to progress the masterplan is essential to deliver the new community facilities that will accompany its final phases.

Find out more about our updated vision for the proposed amendments

View the first round consultation exhibition boards

About us Qatari Diar

Qatari Diar is the long-term developer and owner of the Chelsea Barracks development.

Qatari Diar is the long-term developer and owner of the Chelsea Barracks development. A global leader in real estate, Qatari Diar builds landmark projects of unrivalled scope and vision that create vibrant communities. Established in 2005, their vision has realised entirely new cities and revitalised historic locations, always creating places with a sense of identity and purpose where people aspire to live, work and visit. Today, Qatari Diar has established itself as one of the world’s most trusted and respected real estate companies due to its commitment to quality, local community, partnership and hallmark sustainability.

We have assembled a first-class team to work across all aspects of the proposals

View our final plans for Phase 5 of the Chelsea Barracks Masterplan

Come along to our residents’ presentation to view our final plans. RSVP is required.