London's grandest family home: sheikh's staircase plans approved for £300m Belgravia mega mansion

A billionaire Arab sheikh has won his “stair-gate” planning battle over proposed alterations to a Belgravia mansion he wants to turn into his London family residence.

Former Qatari prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani applied to relocate a grand central staircase at grade II-listed Forbes House which, when works are complete, could be Britain's first £300 million family home.

However, Westminster council officials recommended down the bid because it would be “harmful to historic fabric and the historical significance of the building.”

But at a planning committee last week councillors ignored the advice and approved the works by three votes to one after submissions from the sheikh’s property team.

Local ward councillor Elizabeth Hitchcock also spoke in support arguing the changes were “wholly justified” and “that this is a truly unique and exceptional case” and the proposals would “restore a great asset to Belgravia”.

In a statement a council spokeswoman said: “Members agreed the harm to the building to relocate the staircase was justified as the works will benefit the public.

Proposed works secure the long-term future of Forbes House as a designated heritage asset.”