How part of the new structure could look (HLM Architects/WCC)

A NEW rehearsal hall at a barracks near Buckingham Palace has been given the green light by city councillors.

Planning chiefs approved knocking down and rebuilding the hall at Wellington Barracks in a four to zero vote at a meeting on Tuesday night.

Councillors agreed the new design, which includes a roof garden, would enhance the barracks and rejected objections it would look out of character.

The ministry of defence applied to build a large “modern” rehearsal hall for the bands of the Foot Guards near Buckingham Palace following concerns the current one no longer met health and safety standards, a Westminster City Council report revealed.

“This proposal to redevelop the rehearsal hall is necessary to improve this infrastructure,” the council document said.

“The proposed enhancement of the Wellington Barracks band-practice facilities is considered acceptable in heritage, townscape, design, land-use, amenity, environmental, basement-development and highway terms.

“The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

The ministry said the army had recognised that parts of its estate was in “poor condition” and was committed to improving sub-standard facilities “as a priority”.

The current rehearsal hall will be demolished and replaced with a larger, more eco-friendly structure, the same report showed.

The new development will consist of three interlinked buildings with pitched bronze clad, lantern-style roofs, and sat above clerestory glazing.

They will be constructed using lime-washed brick and three metres taller.

The rehearsal hall is located on the eastern edge of Wellington Barracks, wedged between the ministry of justice and a block of 1980s-built accommodation. Though the barracks consist of Grade II-listed buildings, the rehearsal hall itself is seen as an unlisted building of merit.

The band facilities are currently being used by the bands of the Foot Guards, which includes the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards and the Welsh Guards.

A city council officer added: “Overall, we think the enhancements to the facility will be welcome and are sensible in terms of the heritage.”