Nearby residents oppose 5 storey block of flats on Pellat Road, Wembley, green space

 

The green space on the roundabout at Pellat Road, Wembley

The up to 5 storeys block to be built on the green space
 

Brent Planning Officers recommend that Brent Planning Committee  on Wednesday approve the building of an up to 5 storeys block of flats on a small green space in Wembley. The green space may be under-used at present but has aesthetic value as well as potential for development as a pocket park.

On building on green space the officers' report says:

Development on Green Space

6. The application would result in the loss of existing green space located on Pellatt Road. The land does not have any specific planning designations, and notably it is not designated open space which would otherwise be protected against development under London Plan Policy G4.

7. Objectors have raised concerns regarding the loss of this green space. Whilst it is acknowledged that the site currently provides some limited visual amenity, the site as it exists is effectively a deep road verge, with an element of tree and shrub planting. Although 0.1 hectares in size and currently comprising of mostly open grassland, owing to its shape and location adjacent to a road it does not readily lend itself to being used as an area for sitting out or recreation. Indeed, a larger recreation ground is located directlyopposite the application site. This is due to a combination of attributes, including its irregular shape, proximity to the road, lack of equipment for play or dwelling such as benches, lack of significant landscaping features and it significant inactive permitted to its north. It is also adjacent to a much more considerable open space, the GEC sports facility, protected by policy G4. There are pitches which are available for hire in this location, as well as outdoor gym facilities which are readily available at no extra charge for all residents’.

8. Policy DMP1 seeks to retain existing green infrastructure including open space, high amenity trees and landscape features, and providing appropriate additional or enhancements where possible. Where the loss of open space is proposed, this would be required to be balanced against the benefits of the proposal.

9. While the loss of the green space is acknowledged, the scheme would deliver 13 homes including a policy compliant level of family sized homes (3 family sized homes) for which there is an identified need in Brent. This is considered, on balance, to outweigh the harm. Furthermore, the proposal would enhance the biodiversity of the application site as discussed in further detail below. On balance, the loss of this green space is outweighed by the benefits of the scheme as a whole, including the delivery of three family sized homes for which there is an identified need in the borough.

 One of the 12 objectors wrote on Brent Planning Portal: 

My address has been listed in the alleged letter which is dated 08 August 2024; however, it has not been delivered and after liaising with some neighbours, it appears they have also not received it. Many residents and the locals affected by this proposal are still currently unaware that the planning application for this particular site has been submitted; therefore, I strongly suggest that you postpone any decisions until a time where all locals have been notified and had a fair opportunity to share their comments and opinions.

Pellatt Road is used as an entry/exit point for the cul-de-sac residential area and all properties located on Chamberlayne Avenue, Edison Drive, Crown Green Mews and Walton Gardens would be affected by the works and the building that's being proposed. In order for a fair assessment of the planning application where residents and locals are able to raise their concerns fairly, it would be advisable for the council to notify all residents of these four roads by delivering letters to all properties located here before reaching a decision as I can assure you that many of us are completely against this.

As Pellatt Road is used by vehicles of all four roads to enter/exit the area, it is essential to keep the road clear from all obstructions caused by the works and the green spaces creates a welcoming atmosphere that feels open and airy. It is also used by the GEC Industrial Estate frequently and during events taking place at the sports ground. Parking is already very limited and with the creation of the building, it will cause access issues by the increase of parked vehicles along Pellatt Road whilst raising some health and safety concerns. The nearby parking spaced specified by the developer seems unrealistic and exaggerated. The big building will be made on a junction of a small roundabout and will create a blind spot for motorists exiting Walton Gardens as their view will be obstructed.

We are against the idea of this building on the grounds of over-development of a small cul-de-sac residential area which is already highly populated. For the space and the surrounding area, the building is not suitable as it's simply too large, wrong colour/materials, it will create dark shadows specially to residents of Walton Gardens due to the positioning of the sun and increase the amount of noise for an area which is fairly quiet, make the whole place around the building feel claustrophobic for existing residents, invade privacy of nearby residents and will just look out of character as its too big for the space and where the land is located. It may even potentially effect the value of a number of properties throughout the area.

All other residential properties here have been made from brick of a particular colour so it all blends in along with these green open spaces leading to the sports ground. The material/colour of the five-storey building will not blend in with the nearby buildings and would not be pleasing to look at. It will create dark shadows around the building, especially to residents of Walton Gardens and where their garages are located.

It is clear that when Chamberlayne Avenue/Edison Drive properties were constructed, the previous landowner (Barratts) had purposely left small areas of the green spaces/land along Pellatt Road as it would have over-developed the area making it appear crowded. Even when Crown Green Mews was constructed, a separate road was made to take it off Pellatt Road which surely must've been done with valid reasoning. Pellatt Road also has a particular curvature and a large building along this part would just not make sense or be suitable.

Green spaces and open land around the borough have been reducing at great speed and while I appreciate the need for new residential buildings, but this cannot be implemented in all small green areas available and some must be conserved.

Furthermore; there are four large trees and shrubs which have been growing since the creation of Chamberlayne Avenue/Edison Drive when access to Walton Gardens was merged with Pellatt Road. At the time when residents of Walton Gardens agreed to create a new vehicle entry point off the roundabout to Pellatt Road, there were no plans for obstructing the junction of either sides of the green spaces or an agreement would not have been made. Prior to this there was a brick wall running throughout the length of Walton Gardens to separate Pellatt Road with trees/bushes going across and it should be kept that way. The four large trees should not be affected during the build and personally these types of green spaces should be encouraged with the addition to more trees and plants/shrubs for the benefit of the area, along with your residents of the borough.

Overall; the development of this building will cause unnecessary pollution and disturb many residents during the long development phase which more than likely will get delayed. This again is not reasonable in a cul-de-sac residential area at a time where many people are still working from home/studying and it will create an unpleasant atmosphere.

I would suggest that numerous site visits are carried out by knowledgeable council officers on a number of different days and times so they can make a fair assessment of the land in question and see the times when it gets busy whist taking into consideration the way the other buildings nearby look, the size/colour of them, the way locals will be impacted for a long duration of time and even after its built, it will not be great to look at for where it will be located.

In simple words, the creation of this building has no special benefits or advantages for the local residents and are really no plus points.

I understand the land was recently purchased by the owners as a way of generating their profits as the larger the building, the more properties it will have for sale and more service/lease charges will be earned but this cannot apply to all green spaces unless there is a demand by the residents who already reside around this particular area. We have failed to see any demand or any interest for this type of development which is not aimed for the improvement of the location or the benefit of the community.

I do hope that the council considers the opinions of their residents that will be affected daily by this large building looking out of character, however, if a building is what's going to take over this priceless land, then I strongly suggest that the plans are re-evaluate with the view of making it smaller to make it suitable for the space and the people who will be residing around it. The building should not be larger than two or three storeys and be made from a similar brick used on the surrounding buildings and of the same colour, the four large trees should be unharmed and a part of the area should still stay as open space for all to enjoy rather than focusing on balconies/terrace gardens and maximising revenue which is of no use to existing residents.