Tirza Mansions (26 Salmon Street) planning application open for comments until January 25th

 

The present building at 26 Salmon Street on the corner of Salmon Street and Queens Walk

Initial design (above) and submitted (below)

 

Plans for the rdevelopment of the large single house on the corner of Salmon Street and Queens Walk , Tirza Mansions, 26 Salmon Street, was submitted to Brent Council in December 2023. The proposed scheme comprises of a four-storey flatted development comprising 13 dwellings: two studio flats; three 1-bed flats; four 2-bedroom flats (two 3-person and two 4-person) and four 3-bedroom flats (two 4-person and two 5-person).

As predicted when Krishna Court, on the opposite corner,  received planning permission, it is being cited as a precedent:

 Opposite the site on Queens Walk, planning permission has recently been granted (Ref. 19/2163) for the demolition of existing building and erection of a two and three storey building accommodating seven dwellings with new vehicular access and associated landscaping. [Editor’s note. It has been built although it was said to be family housing, it is in fact an AirB&B type hotel enterprise] This development is known as Krishna Court. This is also a corner plot and there is a precent established along Salmon Street for semi-detached 2.5-storey housing book ended with 3-4 storey flatted developments acting as feature corners.

A map is submitted showing similar developments along Salmon Street. (26 Salmon Street in blue)

 

 

Provision of  affordable housing is ruled out in the submitted documentation but the agent in  the October 2023 video consultation said it had not been decided and a contribution might be made for affordable housing elsewhere:

 

There is a strategic ambition across London to deliver 50% of all new homes as genuinely affordable as set out in policy H4 of the London Plan. Policy H5 of the London Plan sets the threshold approach to major development proposals. This sets out that a minimum of 35% affordable housing by habitable rooms should be delivered. A viability assessment is required where a development proposal is not able to meet the required affordable housing provision.

 

This application is submitted with a viability appraisal which concludes that it is not financially viable to provide on-site affordable housing. The report will need to independently reviewed by the Council. It should also be noted that registered providers who manage affordable housing are unlikely to purchase 4 affordable homes which is what would be required to meet the planning policy requirements.

You can see recordings of the video consultations HERE that also include a presentation by the developer's agents and architects.  

The Brent Trees Officer has made recommendations on tree planting HERE. Before the present building was redevloped a few years ago there were are large number of conifers surrounding the site but most of these were removed. 

 

The spaces around the building include 7 parking spaces

 

 The development site in suburban context

 

There are a handful of objections on the Brent planning portal LINK.  The Neighbourhood consultation ends on Thursday January 25th 2024.

This is one of the objections:

  1.  It is not in keeping with single family homes in this area - which are being reduced - see 44 Queens Walk which has been converted into flats and on the market for sale since the completion - showing the lack of interest in flats for these roads;

2. Multi-generation properties are required for the family unit and also with our aging population the elderly can be looked after by their family in a warm and safe environment - more homes here are becoming multi generational and families - having flats make these less accessible for families;

3. The size of the flats also will make it very difficult for growing families to have space to live together;

4. the size of the proposed development is not in keeping with the street and other homes. The front of the building is very far forward - it should be set back and in line with 24 Salmon Street.

5. the proposal is showing parking for 7 cars maximum which would not even allow one car per flat - this would cause further congestion onto Queens Walk;

6. there would not be enough garden space for the flats - again not in keeping with Salmon Street nor Queens Walk and not beneficial for any children living in the properties

7. the height of the proposal as well will be very imposing for the area and again not in keeping with the current use of the neighbouring properties

Many homes are being redeveloped in the Salmon Street, Queens Walk and the surrounding streets into single family dwellings. These are all occupied or under development for the families moving into them. This shows the demand for this type of property here. There are many flats around the station and the main roads - thus catering for the demand for these types of property. Kingsbury is known to be a family area. There are not many shops here. These are all by Kingsbury Road and the Wembley developments. Thus where the flats are required. The tube stations are a lengthy walk or bus ride away - thus again why it is important to keep some areas with houses and not densely populated with flats - where accessibility in the area is not so good.

 

The Neighbourhood Consultation Expiry Date is Thursday November 25th 2024. Application number 23/3833.  LINK