Agenda item

PROPOSAL: Demolition of all existing buildings and erection of a part six, nine, ten and twelve storey building arranged around a courtyard (Western Building) providing 135 residential units including a concierge and residential communal room at ground floor and a part four, five, eight, nine and ten storey L shaped building (Eastern Building) providing 84 residential units. Construction of a basement under the Western Building with a car lift and access from Albert Road. The provision of a pedestrian and cycle shared surface along Neville Road, with associated cycle provision, bin stores, landscaping and ancillary works (Revised Description).

RECOMMENDATION: Grant planning permission subject to subject to any Stage 2 Direction by the Mayor of London pursuant to the Mayor of London Order, the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 or other legal agreement and delegate authority to the Head of Development Management or other duly authorised person to agree the exact terms thereof on advice from the Director of Legal Services and Procurement

That the Head of Planning is granted delegated authority to issue the planning permission and impose conditions to secure the matters set out within the Committee reports.

That the Head of Planning is granted delegated authority to make changes to the wording of the Committee’s decision (such as to delete, vary or add conditions, informatives, planning obligations or reasons for the decision) prior to the decision being actioned, provided that the Head of Planning is satisfied that any such changes could not reasonably be regarded as deviating from the overall principle of the decision reached by the Committee not that such change(s) could reasonably have led to a different decision having been reached by the Committee.

That, if the legal agreement has not been completed by the statutory determination date for this application (including determination dates set through agreement), the Head of Planning is granted delegated authority to refuse planning permission.

Ms Sarah Dilley (Principal Planning Officer) introduced the report and answered Members’ questions. In reference to the supplementary report, she clarified matters including some changes to the planning obligations, analysis of the impact of daylight and sunlight on surrounding properties.

Mr Pete Firmin raised objections to the application including inadequate affordable housing units, unaffordable parking, homes that would not meet Brent needs and issues with the reporting of daylight and sunlight.

Mr Peter Van der Zwan (agent) addressed the Committee and answered Members’ questions.  He highlighted that the community engagement for the application was well attended and that the submitted scheme incorporated residents’ aspirations and preferences.  He added that the scheme that would also deliver 219 affordable homes was a continuation of the on-going regeneration of the South Kilburn Estate.  He clarified that the affordable housing was the maximum possible, based on robust financial viability assessment with early and late stage reviews.  He responded to other matters including parking, layout and entrances.

Officers responded to questions about a number of matters including: housing mix and tenure, parking, design, scale and massing, revisions that have been made to the scheme and daylight / sunlight.  Officers clarified the car parking allocation and added that as Neville Road would be adopted, the Council would ensure that it complied with standards including the provision of street lighting.

DECISION: Granted planning permission as recommended and changes to the planning obligations as detailed within the supplementary report.

(Voting was unanimous as follows: For 8, Against 0, Abstentions 0)