Plans to demolish more than a hundred garages in North London to make way for dozens of new social rent homes are set to go before councillors next week.
Brent Council's Planning Committee will review the application on December 10, deciding whether to approve the redevelopment of the Havenwood and Kingsbury garages site on the Chalkhill Estate in Wembley.
Details of the Proposed Development
The scheme, submitted by housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), involves the demolition of 105 existing garages to construct five new apartment blocks. The development would be entirely car-free and deliver 61 new homes, all offered at social rent.
The proposed mix of properties includes 18 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, 11 three-bedroom, and 4 four-bedroom units. The blocks would range in height from three to five storeys. As part of the project, an existing electrical substation would be relocated, a new children's play area would be created, and the developers would contribute £30,000 towards a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).
Andrew Gatehouse, Regeneration Manager at MTVH, stated the plans would "breathe new life into an area of the Chalkhill Estate currently occupied by underused and dated garages."
Resident Concerns and Council Support
The scale of the project has not been without controversy. Some local residents have objected, suggesting the development is "excessive" for the area and will lead to "over-development and overcrowding". Additional worries have been raised about a potential loss of privacy for people in the existing five residential blocks and fears of increased antisocial behaviour.
However, Brent Council's planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval. They have emphasised the significant benefit of delivering 100% affordable housing in an area with high need. The officers also noted that the Metropolitan Police reviewed the proposals and raised no objections regarding crime or security.
Aiming to Ease the Housing Crisis
The push for new affordable homes comes against the backdrop of a severe housing shortage in the capital. The Chalkhill Estate already contains 104 properties, a mix of leasehold, affordable rent, and social rent homes. The new development would add a substantial number of social rent units without altering the existing buildings.
With the final decision resting with the Planning Committee, the outcome of the December 10 meeting will determine whether this garage site is transformed into a key source of much-needed affordable housing for Brent.
