The scheme has received a number of objections from Brent residents who are concerned the development would put a strain on local services
Plans for a new six-storey block of flats in the shadow of the Wembley Stadium arch have received pushback from residents, who feel the development will put excessive strain on local infrastructure and harm the character of the area.
RDB Properties Ltd has submitted plans to redevelop the site at 127-129 Wembley Hill Road, which sits within the Wembley High Street Conservation Area. The application is set to be reviewed by Brent Council’s planning department ahead of a decision being made.
The developers claim the scheme would provide “a meaningful contribution” to Brent’s housing supply, however, it has triggered a number of objections from nearby residents who suggest it “will be a blemish to the look and feel of the street” and detract from the area’s character and community.
The plans involve the demolition of the existing three-storey building – comprising ten flats – and the construction of a six-storey, 20 unit development in its footprint. The developer claims the current site is “substandard” and in need of “significant upgrading”.
The proposed car-free development would be made up of six three-bed, six two-bed, five one-bed, and three studio apartments. However, the scheme would deliver no affordable housing numbers – despite the council’s strategic target of 50 per cent – as a viability assessment concluded that, based on current costs and values, it “cannot viably support” any, according to the developer.
The plans have received more than 20 objections from local residents, with most citing concerns about a potential strain on public services, parking issues, the impact on the character of the area, and the height of the proposed new building.
One resident wrote: “This will cause enormous pressure on existing infrastructure and facilities available for [an] already overcrowded area – GPs, schools, parking on roads, effect of parking on surrounding roads, which already struggle with parking due to cycle allocated spaces.”
Another added: “The new build design, if completed, will be a blemish to the look and feel of the street, detracting from its character and community. The people here live in houses, not little boxes in the air as the council proposes.
“The height of the proposed building will block the views and sunlight for multiple neighbours. […] You’ll put more strain on doctor’s surgeries, schools and eventually social services and benefits. Stop the building, Brent can’t fill what is already here.”
The developer has said that there will be no windows directly on the northern boundary “to mitigate any potential privacy or overlooking effects” and where there are windows they will face the public realm rather than other residences – with dense planting and planters along the northern edge to “further reduce opportunities for overlooking”.
They also point to an assessment that concludes all surrounding properties will still achieve the required amount of daylight and sunlight – whilst also not breaching the criteria for overshadowing.
The developers describes the scheme as “a context-led, design-led scheme that responds sensitively to the site’s characteristics and the established character of Wembley Hill Road”.
Brent Council’s planning department will now determine whether the scheme will go ahead.
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