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Prince's 'twee' plans for Kensington Palace rejected
27 Aug 2009Prince Charles suffered an embarrassing defeat as plans for a "twee" addition to Kensington Palace were rejected.
Kensington and Chelsea's planning committee refused to allow designs for an ornate new entrance, part of a £12 million redesign.
Charles is believed to have taken an enthusiastic role in overseeing the plans for the late Princess Diana's home. But he has been accused yet again of interfering in democratic decisions after his charity, the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, wrote to planners urging approval of architect John Simpson's designs.
Councillors insisted a Regency-style loggia had to be removed from plans before approving the application by Historic Royal Palaces last night. The rest of the scheme, including the creation of a café and shop and extensive excavation, can go ahead.
Jack Pringle, former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, welcomed the decision today and accused Prince Charles of "pimping his palace with a puffed-up porch".
