Plans for a new 885-home development in North West London have been approved, which means the construction of seven tower blocks up to 29 storeys high will go ahead. Those opposing the scheme raised concerns about its impact on GP surgeries and schools, as well as a lack of affordable housing numbers and the loss of a gym, whilst supporters claimed it will 'restore pride' in the area.
Atlip House Ltd, alongside developers KM-DC, have been given the go ahead to redevelop the Atlip Centre - a multi-purpose building comprising retail outlets, a banqueting hall, and a gym situated opposite Alperton Tube station - after plans were approved by Brent Council.
The council's Planning Committee approved the plans unanimously, with the first homes set to be delivered by 2028. The applicant, whose family also built the Atlip Centre, said the development - named Atlip Gardens - 'demonstrates our latest commitment to the borough' and claimed the 'high quality architecture' will 'set a new standard' for Alperton.
Community and commercial spaces will be built alongside the homes. Of the total 885 new homes, 441 are set to be 'co-living units' - made up of private studio apartments with shared communal areas - and 464 will be mixed-sized apartments.
Within the 464 homes, 60 will be available for London Affordable Rent, 28 for intermediate tenure and 376 for market sale. Of those homes for London Affordable Rent, 46 (82 per cent) will be three-bedroom, family sized homes, allocated through Brent's general needs housing register. With only 88 of the total homes being defined as 'affordable', that equates to about 10 per cent - well below Brent Council's target of 35 per cent.
However Alperton's recently elected ward councillor, Charlie Clinton, criticised the scheme for a loss of sunlight to surrounding buildings, a loss of a car park, its potential impact on GPs and schools, and not meeting the council's affordable housing targets.
Addressing the committee, Cllr Clinton said : “The development has been allowed to miss the target of 35 per cent affordable housing on the basis that the assumptions in the Local Plan are out of date. Given that another recent Alperton development was able to meet the threshold that would seem like a poor excuse."
In response to the criticism, the applicant said the 'economics could not support any affordable housing in this arrangement' but said the co-living building was introduced 'to address this' and claimed this had increased the affordable housing offer to the equivalent of 20 per cent.
Cllr Clinton also pointed to the loss of the gym and wanted a guarantee of a replacement. He said the facility 'does matter to residents' and claims it has 'clear health benefits for the community'. However, the applicant responded by saying: "We don't think the loss of the gym is going to materially affect the health and wellbeing of residents. There are sufficient facilities in the area and we think that serves the local need."
In his closing remarks, Cllr Clinton said: "There are many demonstrable flaws with the proposal. Yes there are some good things but we can do better. Residents for the most part accept that [Alperton] does need regeneration but how you do it matters. Yes we need more homes, but a home needs more than four walls and a roof."
Further concerns were raised that the development could lead to further crime in the area. One resident suggested it will encourage more crime due to overcrowding. The Planning Committee Chair, Cllr Matt Kelcher, suggested that building more housing and people is 'the way to move away from antisocial behaviour and crime'.
The development was also praised by resident Tara Choudry, who has lived in Alperton since 1965 and runs her own business in the ward. She told the committee that the area has 'felt neglected for years' and the Atlip Centre had 'failed miserably' and become 'an eyesore'.
She said: "We must support new housing, families turn up at the Civic Centre every week in need of a home. Development is only a bad word until people move in and call it home. [...] The new development will help clean up the area, improving safety through natural surveillance via the residents. It will also provide high quality public spaces, giving the local community something to take pride in."
As part of the development, there will also be two new public spaces either side of Atlip Road, which would further link Ealing Road and the Grand Union Canal located to the south of the development site. A flexible community space for hire will be available at the ground floor of one of the blocks. The developers have also committed to contribute around £16.6m in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments for Brent and the Greater London Authority, which will include installing step-free access at Alperton station.
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