Showing posts with label regeneration.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label regeneration.. Show all posts

Sunday, 21 November 2021

Substantial work ahead for Thames Water to provide the necessary infrastructure capacity for Brent's new developments

 The main modifications to the Draft Brent Local Plan have attracted little or no publicity or comment but they are of interested and can be found HERE.

Of particularly interest to me are the impact of some of the development plans for Wembley (including KwikFit/Asda,Torch; Stadium Retail Park, McDonalds,Fountain Studios;  Premier Inn, Brook Avenue) in terms of infrastucture improvments needed for waste water and flood mitigation. The Wealdstone Brook flows through this area so some of it is susceptible to fluvial (river) flooding as well as surface water flooding.

These are some of the modifications that have been made (March 2020) regarding infrastructure and indicate a substantial amount of work to de done with Thames Water and developers, as well as the Environment Agency.


Thames Water has indicated the local water network capacity in this area may be unable to support the demand anticipated from this development. Upgrades to the wastewater network are likely to be required. Thames Water will need to be engaged at the earliest opportunity to agree a housing and infrastructure phasing plan to ensure essential infrastructure is delivered prior to the development creating identified additional capacity requirements.

 

Waste water facilities enhancement Thames Water has indicated the scale of development is likely to require upgrades to the wastewater network. Thames Water will need to be engaged at the earliest opportunity to agree a housing and infrastructure phasing plan to ensure essential infrastructure is delivered prior to the development creating identified additional capacity requirements.

 

Thames Water has indicated the local water network capacity in this area may be unable to support the demand anticipated from this development. Upgrades to the wastewater network are likely to be required. Thames Water will need to be engaged at the earliest opportunity to agree a housing and infrastructure phasing plan to ensure essentialinfrastructure is delivered prior to the development creating identified additional capacity requirements. Public sewers cross or are close to the site. The risk of damage during construction must be minimised. It must be ensured that development doesn't inhibit access for maintenance or the services in any other way

 

A critical trunk sewer runs through this site which would need to be considered.

Thames Water has indicated the local water network capacity in this area may be unable to support the demand anticipated from this development. Upgrades to the wastewater network are likely to be required. Thames Water will need to be engaged at the earliest opportunity to agree a housing and infrastructure phasing plan to ensure essential infrastructure is delivered prior to the development creating identified additional capacity requirements. Risk of damage to the trunk sewer during construction must be minimised. It must be ensured that development doesn't inhibit access for maintenance or the services in any other way. 

 

The site is located within an area which is susceptible to groundwater flooding. There are also small areas within the site which are susceptible to surface water flooding. The majority of the site is located within an area which is susceptible to sewer flooding. A flood risk assessment will need to address how development satisfactorily addresses these matters.

  

Wembley Brook and River Brent are potential sources of flooding and the majority of the site is within Flood Zone 3. Part of the site is within including extensive flood zone 3b (functional floodplain). Development, other than water compatible uses, will not be acceptable within functional floodplain. Any flood modelling from applicants which seeks to justify a revision to the functional floodplain boundary will need to be agreed by the Environment Agency.


More vulnerable uses should be restricted to areas of lowest flood risk and on upper floors. Ground floors should be designed to be resistant and resilient to flood risk. Basement dwellings will not be acceptable on the site. Development must be informed by a detail Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy, reduce flood risk overall and not increase the risk of flooding on adjoining sites. Development must be consistent with the recommendations of the Brent Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 2.

 

 Of course there are also issues in other parts of Brent such as Stonebridge (Argenta House, Wembley Point), Neasden Stations, Growth Area, South Kilburn & Alperton).


The document below (March 2020) provides detailed assessments for Stonebridge Park/Unisys (p17) Coombe Road (p23), Watkin Road (p30), Argenta House/Wembley Point (p37), Brooke Avenue (p44), College of NW London - Wembley Campus (p51), Turpins Yard (p58), Park Avenue Garage (p64) Hereford & Exeter House (p70), Neasden Station Growth Area 1(p76), 2 (p82), 3 (p88), Neasden Lane (Press Rd) p94, Stadium Retails Park/Fountain Studios (p100) and Queensbury LSIS/Morrisons (p108)

 

A summary of all schemes is provided at the end of the report.


Click bottom right corner to enlarge:


Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Have your say on Copland/Ujima House redevelopment Oct 4th and 6th


Locals will be aware that the demolition of the old Copland High School building is in progress. Brent Council is holding a public consultation at Ujima House 388 Wembley High Road on October 4th (4pm-7.30pm)  and 6th (10am - 2pm).

Ujima House

Copland High School

According to the council the consultation is about the proposed redevelopment of Ujima House and the former Copland buudling and improvements to the public realm along Wembley High Road.

The council has been working with Karakusevic Carson Architects and Easy to develp ideas for the redevelopment if the sites, including new community facilities, workspace and new homes.

Residents will be able to meet council officers and the architects and give their views on the High Road and the design proposals to date, ideas for uses of the community spaces and feedback on proposed new play facilities and public realm improvements.

Thursday, 19 November 2015

Andy Donald appointed Chief Executive of Redbridge Council


Andy Donald, probably the most powerful of Brent Council's three strategic directors, was  confirmed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Redbridge Council tonight.

His portfolio has expanded over his term in Brent to cover regeneration, planning, council housing, adult skills, environmental health, school expansion and the sale of some of the Council's own property. His approach to regeneration has often been controversial as a result of his view that the role of the Council is to smooth the way for developers. LINK

He is Deputy Chief Executive in addition to these roles. He is also a founder board member of The Future of London and Chair of the Meanwhile Foundation, a national charoty set up by Brent Council.

During his tenure there have been major regenerations in Wembley (Quintain), South Kilburn, Park Royal and Alperton.  The high rise skyline of Brent will be his most visible legacy. Among the more controversial schemes have been the school expansion/new housing that saw the closure of Stonebridge Adventure Playground and the Willesden Green library development which resulted in luxury flats being sold at inflated prices in Singapore.

His predecessor at Redbridge, Roger Hampson, had a salary of £193,301.