The meeting is likely to see tensions over the project resurface along with a clash of opinion between the views of local Westminster Tories, who have opposed the project, and the government, which is wholeheartedly supporting it.
While agreeing with the principle of having a UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, the council report says the project would harm “heritage assets” in the area.
It also warns of harm “bordering on substantial” to the trees in Victoria Tower Gardens.
The council no longer has the authority to determine the planning application for the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre because it was “called in” by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in November last year.
A final decision will be taken by the Secretary of State, following a public inquiry later this summer, at which Westminster’s views will be submitted.
But the JC has learned that the government’s decision to call in the project came amid growing frustrations with Westminster City Council under its previous leader Nickie Aitken, who became the MP for the seat in December’s election.
In a letter exchange released under Freedom of Information laws, former Tory minister Lord Eric Pickles and ex-Labour minister Ed Balls accused the council of giving “undue weight” to the number of objections on its planning portal.
They said their concerns were reinforced by “the number of antisemitic remarks that have been allowed to remain on the planning portal for far too long”.
Responding, Ms Aitken said she “profoundly refutes the very serious and wholly unfounded allegations about the operation of the planning service in the City of Westminster”.
She added: “As highly experienced national politicians, I am extremely disappointed with your irresponsible and frankly offensive assertions.”
The memorial was first proposed by former Prime Minister David Cameron on 27 January 2016, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
It has since received the backing of every living Prime Minister — including Sir John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown — with former PM Theresa May pledging a further £25m towards the project last May.
But while Westminister Council’s Labour group has remained staunch in its support of the project, local Tory councillors have continued to raise objections.
One senior communal source told the JC that, while former leader Ms Aitken had shown “great understanding” over issues affecting the wider Jewish community, she had failed in her attempt to lead the local Tory group into a more positive stance over the Holocaust Memorial.
Another source added that Ms Aitken has “justifiably” become alarmed by repeated interventions by Lord Pickles over the project.
An MHCLG spokesperson said: “Following the call-in of the planning application for the United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre a public inquiry will be held and overseen by an independent planning inspector which will consider all available evidence.
"The inquiry is due in May.
“The final decision on the application will be made taking into account the inspector’s independent recommendation.”
