Brent Council to judge 700 home scheme at industrial estate

Its planning committee will assess plans for 684 properties at Abbey Manufacturing Estate, near the Grand Union Canal, on Wednesday (February 10).

Developers hope to build most of these homes across six blocks of between three and 16 storeys, in addition to a row of four three-storey terraced houses.

They argue it is an opportunity to tackle Brent’s housing demand at an industrial site, supported by new commercial space.

But several neighbouring properties have voiced opposition to the size of the scheme, which they see as an overdevelopment.

There are also concerns about loss of light, increased traffic and parking issues, and a strain on local services.

And in terms of affordable housing, just under a third (32 per cent) has been proposed, with a 30:40:30 ratio between London affordable rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership.

This has been described as the maximum amount that can be put forward for the scheme to remain viable, but it falls short of Brent Council’s policy target of 50 per cent.

The council’s planning officers recommended the planning committee approve the proposals.

The council will also review a scheme at Matalan Discount Club, in Cricklewood Broadway

Plans include 239 flats across three buildings between two and seven storeys.

Again, there are concerns from neighbourings relating to the height and design of the building, with objectors describing it as an “eyesore”.

But officers suggested it is suitable in terms of impact and pointed out concessions have been made, such as the reduction in maximum height from nine storeys to seven.

They recommended the planning committee approve the scheme subject to conditions outlined in their report.

A third item concerns a bid for outline planning permission at Northfields, in Beresford Avenue.

Here permission is sought to determine access, design and layout for a scheme of almost 3,000 homes.

The development’s plans were approved in 2018 and officers suggested the committee also give the green light to this outline proposal.

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