Anger at Unauthorised Demolition of Nile Lodge

Developer submits new application for retrospective approval

The existing building has almost entirely been removed. Picture: Facebool

December 2, 2025

There has been a furious reaction from residents in the Pitshanger area to the destruction of a locally-listed building.

Luxgrove Capital Partners had been given permission to remove part of Nile Lodge in preparation for development. However, local resident groups have pointed out that the work done significantly exceeds that which was authorised and has left just part of the façade of the original building intact.

Built around 1880 and originally known as Melbourne Lodge, the redbrick building on Queen’s Walk in the Montpelier Park Conservation Area, had previously served as a hostel. Luxgrove is seeking to provide hostel accommodation and new housing on the site but committed to respect the heritage character of the building.

However, there appears to be some acknowledgement that the work done so far has exceeded previous permissions. This week, Luxgrove’s development arm, LCP SPV Six Ltd, submitted a new full planning application (ref. 254396FUL) to regularise works already underway.

The scheme, designed by MDLR Architects and managed by Savills, proposes a part 4, part 5 storey hostel development with 116 rooms, following demolition of parts of the existing building, retention of the front façade, and associated landscaping, cycle parking and refuse storage. The project is described as part retrospective, acknowledging that construction began earlier in 2025 under previous consents (234841FUL and 250053VAR).

Local listing means that the building is on Ealing Council’s local list of heritage assets. This means it is considered of special architectural or historic interest to the borough, even if it does not have statutory protection under national law that a Grade I or Grade II listing would provide.

According to the planning statement, demolition works carried out on site exceeded what was originally approved. It states that structural engineers advised that retaining certain elevations was unsafe and impractical, leading to additional demolition of rear and side walls. The developer now seeks retrospective consent for these changes, while promising that rebuilt elevations will match the original appearance.

Only a part of the facade of the building remains intact

The documents confirm that the only part of the building retained is the front façade of the central bay, which has been propped for reconstruction. All other demolished fabric is to be rebuilt to replicate the original design. Reports submitted with the application argue that the demolished elements were modern additions with limited heritage value, and that the retained façade ensures continuity with the building’s historic character. A heritage statement contends that the impact on the locally listed building and neighbouring conservation area is “minor adverse” and outweighed by public benefits.

Nile Lodge before the demolition

Residents in the Pitshanger area have voiced alarm on social media, claiming the demolition has gone far beyond what the council originally agreed. Posts highlight that much of the historic Nile Lodge structure has already been lost.

Neighbours argue that the developer has effectively cleared the site under the guise of “technical necessity,” undermining assurances given during earlier approvals that the historic character would be preserved. Some residents fear that façade retention alone will reduce the building to a pastiche, erasing its heritage value.

The developer's visualisation of what the reconstructed Nile Lodge would look like

There are also concerns about transparency: locals say they were not adequately informed that demolition would be more extensive than permitted, and that retrospective applications risk setting a precedent for developers to push boundaries after work has begun.

Ealing Council’s must now consider whether to grant retrospective approval for the additional demolition and allow the hostel scheme to proceed.

The latest application is on the council’s planning portal. Deadline for comments is 16 December although local residents are arguing for an extension of that deadline. To comment search using the reference: 254396FUL.

Luxgrove Capital Partners has been approached for comment.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said, "We looked into reports of unauthorised demolition at the site and found that more of the building was taken down than previously allowed. The developer has now submitted a retrospective planning application to rebuild the demolished building and create a hostel. The consultation runs until 24 December 2025, and details are available on the council’s planning portal.

"Any ongoing works are at the developer’s own risk and continuing works without permission will not affect our assessment, or decision on, the current application. We are still checking the site regularly, and a decision will follow once the application is fully reviewed.

"We know that any scale of development works can cause short term noise, dust, and vehicle movements that inevitably impacts residents. If residents find activity disruptive, they can continue to report concerns to our planning enforcement team for consideration and appropriate actions to resolve any issues. The developer has also said they will keep residents updated about what is happening on site and how they plan to fix the unauthorised demolition."