Brent Planning Committee has approved the replacement of the Matalan site on Cricklewood Broadway by two blocks of student accommodation, together comprising 826 beds. The blocks range in height from 3 to 9 storeys
Previously the developer had permission for a lower height development of 238 residential flats but submitted the new application blaming the change of direction on regulatory changes including new fire safety requirements,
A resident submitted a deputation supporting the application citing the run down nature of the current site and its impact on the area.
In his deputation, Ben Tansley for Northwest Two Residents Association, described th proposed development as too large, bleak, imposing and stark, 'towering above Cricklewood Broadway'. It was disproportionate in relation to the two storey houses on Temple Road.
Tansley said that the Association supported development of the site but not at this scale. They would prefer a height of 5 storeys but would perhaps settle for seven. He argued that the proposal did not comply with the Local Plan.
There were the usual arguments that purpose built student accommodation would attract students currently renting houses, freeing them up for families if the application was approved. It would help meet London's overall target for student accommodation. The development would provide the equivalent of 300 homes that would count towards Brent Council's housing target.
The application was approved by 5 votes to 3 with Cllr Saqib Butt, Akram and Dixon voting against.
17 comments:
What reasons did Butt, Akram and Dixon give for voting against? Was it too small a development perhaps, or maybe the rooms were too large or there was too much daylight to the rooms? It's all about big profits, it is nothing to do with bringing houses back into family use.
https://glaplanningapps.commonplace.is/planningapps/25-0413
Yes I agree it is all about making profits for developers.
@ anonymous 13.40 if you care so much watch the webcast or perhaps that's too much trouble for you?
Landlords will still run the big houses as HMOs.
As a Student currently in my second year and now living in a rented house, the idea that we will all give up our houses and move back into Student Accommodation is laughable.
Student Accommodation is great for 1st year Students moving away from home, however it is very expensive and there are lots of rules and regulations attached, so after the first year most of us agree to House share which is much cheaper and we have more freedom. With the reduction in foreign Students building more Student Accommodation instead of flats and houses means better research is required.
So do these new "regulatory changes including new fire safety requirements" not apply to student accomodation??? Surely this would worry any parents of students living in these blocks???
Yes it should worry them about fire safety within these blocks.
These are fake ‘student’ accommodation to bypass planning rules. They won’t fill with students, and so they’ll rent to boat people or others
Whoever they rent to surely the properties should be built to the same safety standards as now required for other properties??? The same safety concerns should apply to all properties and all people.
They will have to find a lot more construction workers...
BBC News - Thousands more construction workers needed to meet housing targets
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy0nj1pz0go
There was also an application for 900 student accommodation granted on a site opposite copland school on Wembley High Road! no objections at planning committee, one wonders why? The applicant was Regal, same developer of euro car part site at Wembley park.
Wonder how many Brent Tower block residents are suffering from
extreme overheating issues like this...
‘Do not buy these flats’: residents warn about unbearable heat inside London new-builds | Extreme heat | The Guardian https://share.google/dS9ZCLGmhkJSOJzZ9
Let's hope Wembley Traders Association will fight to get better shops in Wembley High Road - it's become a utopia for those wanting gambling and fast food outlets 😞
An extreme air conditioning and electricity providers growth opportunity. Once a development, always a development.
And air conditioning really helps the environment (not)!!!
BBC News - What can be done about London's overheating homes?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clydlx24ej4o
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