Brent Council approved a huge 885-home development in Alperton, despite concerns about its impact on local infrastructure and a lack of affordable housing numbers.
Harrow Council approved the first phase of a major regeneration project, which will ultimately deliver around 800 new homes.
Construction works have already begun on many of the residential and commercial developments that were approved last year.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has taken a look back at some of the most notable applications that have been approved across the two boroughs so far this year, which residents can expect to see taking shape over the coming months.
Atlip Gardens CGI. The 885 homes will comprise 441 ‘co-living units’ and 464 mixed-sized apartments. Image Credit: Haworthtompkins
885-home Atlip Centre Redevelopment
Brent Council approved plans for a new 885-home development in Alperton, which will see the construction of seven tower blocks up to 29 storeys high. 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.
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.
Opponents of the scheme raised concerns about the impact the influx of new residents would have on GP surgeries and schools, as well as a lack of affordable housing numbers and the loss of a gym. Those in favour claim it will “restore pride” in the area.
The Planning Committee approved the plans unanimously, with the first homes set to be delivered by 2028.
Plans to build 826 student bed spaces in Cricklewood have been approved. Image Credit: BB Partnership Architects
Cricklewood: 826-bed student accommodation
A former Matalan store is set to be demolished to make way for hundreds of new student rooms, despite significant concerns about its height, size, and contribution to local housing needs. Brent Council’s Planning Committee voted five to three in favour of approving the Cricklewood Broadway development.
The developer, Ziser London, was previously given permission for 238 residential flats on the site before “several regulatory changes” came into force – including requirements for a secondary fire staircase following the Grenfell tragedy. It subsequently submitted a new application for 826 student bed spaces, spread across 164 rooms in two blocks.
Supporters of the scheme pointed to the benefits of developing a “disused and rundown” brownfield site that would contribute towards the council’s housing target and provide necessary student accommodation. However, it received opposition from councillors and residents who felt the part-nine-storey development is too large and not in keeping with the area, as well as being a “lost opportunity” to build more residential homes.
Whilst student accommodation does contribute towards the council’s housing target – in this case the equivalent of around 300 homes – some on the committee questioned the benefits of this scheme locally. Ultimately, the plan was narrowly approved.
Pellatt Road Development CGI. The five-storey, 13-home development in Wembley was approved despite objections from residents and councillors. Image Credit: MJP Planning
Pellatt Road Development
Whilst not the largest development by any means, the approval of a five-storey, 13-home development in Wembley received major objections from both residents and councillors. A resident representing more than 300 homes connected to Pellatt Road raised issues with parking, height of the development, and the validity of the consultation process.
The building will have stepped levels, meaning it will be made up of part single, part two, part three, part four and part five storeys. The 13 apartments will be spread across the five storeys, comprising six one-bedroom, four two-bedroom, and three three-bedroom properties. All of the homes will only be available for private sale as delivering ‘affordable housing’ was deemed not viable.
The site – a patch of green land opposite the GEC Pavillion in Wembley – is currently under-used. However, residents claim the existing two-storey homes in the area will be dwarfed by the new building, meaning some will lose their “iconic view of the Wembley Stadium arch.
The plans were eventually approved by Brent Council’s Planning Committee, with just one committee member voting against the scheme on the issue of parking and height.
Kodak Office Redevelopment CGI. Plans for 223 ‘co-living units’ in a building reaching eight storeys high on the site of the former Kodak building have been approved. Image Credit: TP Bennett
Kodak site redevelopment
The latest phase of a major housing development in Harrow was given the go ahead, with more than 200 ‘co-living units’ to be built at the site of a former Kodak office. The council approved the plans despite concerns that it will deliver no affordable housing and its impact on already crowded trains.
The approval means the demolition of the vacant administration building and the redevelopment of the site, which sits near Harrow and Wealdstone Station. The new building will be a part-six, part-seven, and part-eight storeys, with a maximum height of 30 metres.
The building will comprise two taller structures joined together by a central single-storey section. Plans show the ground floor of the six-storey ‘western tower’ will include cycle parking, communal space, and a laundry room, with a communal kitchen and dining area, a games room, and access to a roof terrace on the first floor. The co-living rooms would be located on the remaining floors, with an additional kitchen and dining area on the fourth floor.
The ‘eastern tower’ will reach up to eight storeys in part, with the ground floor made up of employment space, as well as a communal laundry room and bin storage. The first floor will comprise a gym, yoga studio, and toilet facilities, with co-living rooms again found on the upper floors alongside lounge and dining areas on the second, third, and fifth floors. A library, toilets and roof terrace will be located on the seventh floor.
A Financial Viability Assessment concluded that the scheme would ‘return a deficit’, meaning it will not provide any contributions towards the borough’s affordable housing target. A council officer suggested co-living is ‘affordable in a different way’ and, if the scheme provides a surplus in terms of profit, there is a mechanism by which funds can be provided to support affordable housing contributions in the borough.
Byron Quarter. The scheme will provide 27 per cent affordable housing, below the council’s 40 per cent target. Image Credit: Harrow Council
Byron Quarter – 149 homes at former driving school site
A major 800-home regeneration project in Harrow took another step forward after the first phase of the development was given the green light. The scheme will deliver 149 homes on the site of an old driving school, which has been empty for more than 20 years.
Named Byron Quarter, the development will provide 149 new homes – 44 of which will be classified as ‘affordable’. The homes will be split between a six-storey apartment block, comprising 78 of the properties, with the remaining 71 made up of rows of two and three-bedroom terraced houses.
Of the total number of new homes, 27 per cent will be affordable – far below the council’s own target of 40 per cent. The affordable homes will comprise ten at social rent – and 34 will be shared ownership. The council say this will be the minimum that will be provided, with reviews to be carried out throughout the project and, if it is delivered under cost, then more affordable housing numbers can be included.
The council claims the project will contribute to an “era of growth and development” and help foster a “vibrant and inclusive” community in the borough. Construction work starts this year, with the first residents expected to move into new homes by autumn 2026.
