Tenure split at Old Oak development does not reflect local housing need

Sian Berry. Green Party Assembly Member for London has submitted her response to the  second Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation's revised draft Local  Plan consultation.

The Mayor’s draft London Plan identified that the Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area has the capacity to deliver at least 25,500 homes with around 20,000 of these to be built over the OPDC local plan period (2017 – 2037).

As such the OPDC site has the potential to make an important contribution to meeting London’s housing need in the next two decades.

The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) that underpins the draft London Plan found that 47 per cent of new homes delivered in London up to 2041 should be at low cost rent – social rent. And that accounts for about 70 per cent of the ‘affordable’ homes in general.

The Mayor’s draft London plan also says he wants to see a minimum of 30 per cent social rent and 30 per cent intermediate homes at each development with the other 40 per cent left for the local authority – in this case the OPDC – to decide, based on local need.

However in Sian Berry’s response to Response to second Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) revised draft Local Plan consultation she has identified two key problems.

1. Tenure split of affordable homes does not reflect local housing need
2. London Development Database is not an up-to-date record of planning permissions granted at OPDC site 

Full response below (click bottom right corner for page view)

Sorting out Old Oak and Park Royal regeneration - lessons for Wembley?

Vision...

... and reality (Schedule of Board meetings)

The Brent and Kilburn Times has an interesting front page story today on the multi-million Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) plan. London Mayor Sadiq Khan following a review of the project which criticised former Mayor Boris Johnson for rushing into an agreement withe the government on unfavourable terms and leaving the project 'in a mess',  has appointed a new chair, Liz Peace, former CEO of the British Property Federation.

Presumably sorting out the mess may also involve sorting out the OPDC Board which should have been scrutinising the project along with GLA members.  Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, is a member of the Board.

These are the Board's functions:

The OPDC Board is responsible for governing the OPDC. Their responsibilities include:

• providing leadership, advice and support
• setting strategic direction and overall policy
• monitoring standards, performance and corporate governance
• representing the OPDC with other stakeholders

Cllr Sarah Marquis is a member of the Board's Planning Committee.

What I found particularly interesting, after the controversy over Quintain's high rise developments around Wembley Stadium and elsewhere in Brent, was Navin Shah AM's statement in the Kilburn Times article that he was concerned about the number of 'excessively tall buildings' planned for Old Oak/Park Royal.

Clearly he has a role as GLA member for Brent and Harrow to scrutinise a Mayoral project but it seems odd that he has been silent on the high rise developments in Wembley, including the 26 storey 'Twin Towers' at the junction of Wembley High Road and Park Lane. In his statement to the Kilburn Times he also spoke about engagement with local residents and businesses, something that was sadly lacking in the recent Wembley Stadium/Spurs planning application:

Old Oak Common and Park Royal don't need 'mini Manhattan' like glass and steel towers. The development corporation must actively and genuinely engage at all stages with local residents, businesses and stakeholders to ensure their aspirations are taken into account.

Nor do we and yes, Brent Council must.

The OPDC is holding a consultation on Regulation 19 of the draft Local Plan on Wednesday 26th April at 7pm, at the CoClub, 140 Wakles Far, Road, London W3 6UG 

The OPDC say:

The nature of the next stage of consultations is very different to last year Regulation 18 draft Local Plan, so we’re holding an event to go through the differences. This will enable you to have your say in the future of Old Oak and Park Royal once the consultation is launched.

Old Oak/Park Royal Development community event on Tuesday Jan 31st

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is holding an event to talk to the community about the plans for the area, hear the outcome of the Mayor’s review and to meet Victoria Hills (Chief Executive Officer of the OPDC). 

Details are:
Date: Tuesday, 31st January 2017, 6.30 - 8.30
Venue:  Cumberland House, 80 Scrubs Lane NW10 6RF London, London, England, GB, NW10 6RF

Please sign up for the event online so that they can keep a track of numbers HERE

One month to comment on Old Oak-Park Royal Development objectives

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is consulting on the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) Scoping Report for the forthcoming OPDC Local Plan.This huge development covers parts of the London boroughs of Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith and Fulham and includes issues concerning housing, transportation, air quality, sustainability, health and the local economy.

The IIA Scoping Report is now out for consultation and available for download from OPDC’s website. LINK

OPDC is also seeking comments on the Scoping Report from the public and other stakeholders.

Hard copies will be made available at the address below.

Please note all comments, suggestions and responses should reach OPDC by 5pm 9th October 2015 and be sent by email to info@opdc.london.gov.uk or by letter to:

Local Plan IIA Scoping Report Consultation
Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation
City Hall, The Queen's Walk,
London SE1 2AA

This extract gives a flavour of the ground to be covered:

OBJECTIVES

1.     To enhance the built environment and encourage ‘place-making’ 


2.     To optimise the efficient use of land through increased development densities and building heights, where appropriate 


3.     Maximise the reuse of previously developed land and existing buildings, including the remediation of contaminated land 


4.     Minimise the need to travel and improve accessibility for all users by public and non- motorised transportation methods 


5.     Improve access to well designed, well-located, market, affordable and inclusive housing of a range of types and tenures, to meet identified local needs 


6.     Improve climate change adaptation and mitigation, including minimising the risk of flooding and addressing the heat island effect 


7.     To minimise contributions to climate change through greater energy efficiency, generation and storage; and to reduce reliance on natural resources including fossil fuels for transport, heating and energy 


8.     To minimise production of waste across all sectors in the plan area, maximise efficiencies for transporting waste and increasing rates of re-use, recycling and recovery rates as well as composting of all green waste 


9.     Improve the quality of the water environment 


10. Create and enhance biodiversity and the diversity of habitats across the area and its surroundings 


11. To minimise air, noise and light pollution, particularly for vulnerable groups 


12. To conserve and, where appropriate, enhance, cultural heritage 


13. Increase community cohesion and reduce social exclusion 


14. Improve safety and reduce crime and the fear of crime 


15. Maximise the health and wellbeing of the population, reduce inequalities in health and promote healthy living 


16. To improve the education and skills levels of all members of the population, particularly vulnerable groups 
 

17. Maximise the social and economic wellbeing of the population and improve access to employment and training 


18.To encourage inward investment alongside investment within existing communities, to create sustainable economic growth.