Strategic Planning Committee - Wednesday 13th November, 2024 7.00 pm

November 13, 2024 View on council website  Watch video of meeting  Watch video of meeting or read trancript  Watch video of meeting or read trancript  Watch video of meeting or read trancript  Watch video of meeting or read trancript  Watch video of meeting  Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission for a new development at Unit 7, Staples Corner Retail Park, subject to a referral to the Mayor of London and the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement. The scheme comprises the demolition of the existing building on the site, which contains the Flip Out trampoline park, and its replacement with a mixed-use development, including a 28 storey tower containing 844 student bedrooms, and ground floor commercial floorspace.

Unit 7, Staples Corner Retail Park

The committee considered a report on the application by Astir Brent Cross West Limited for the redevelopment of Unit 7, Staples Corner Retail Park.

The proposal would involve the demolition of the existing building and the construction of a new building of up to 26 storeys, plus ground and mezzanine levels, containing 844 student bedrooms and some commercial units.

Planning context

The application site is in the Brent Cross West (Staples Corner) Growth Area, which is designated in the emerging Barnet Local Plan for the development of 1,800 new homes, and new jobs and floorspace for community and retail uses.

The site is located next to the recently opened Brent Cross West Station, which provides a train service to London St Pancras in under 15 minutes.

Principle of development

The principle of the mixed-use development was supported by the committee, which was satisfied that the proposal would make an appropriate contribution to the Brent Cross West (Staples Corner) Growth Area, help diversify the local economy and reduce pressure on the private rental market in the area.

I think it's clear to see that providing purposeful student accommodation would provide a different option for those students and other students and provide some relief to the existing private housing stock and release our private housing stock for others who are in need or looking for homes.

The development is car-free, except for a single disabled parking space, and the committee was satisfied that the proposed cycle parking and pedestrian/cycle access routes, and the proximity to Brent Cross West Station would enable students to travel sustainably.

The committee was advised that the GLA's draft Purpose Built Student Accommodation London Planning Guidance, which was consulted on in January 2024, had informed the proposal.

Student housing

The applicant has carried out a student demand study, which demonstrates a need for purpose built student accommodation in the area.

“Across a 1.5 mile radius catchment from Geron Way, the total provision of purpose-built accommodation totals 413 bed spaces, representing just 6.4% of total full-time students living within the area (6,487 students). [...] At a 3-mile radius, the 7,936 purpose-built bed spaces represent 22.8% of total full-time students living within the area (34,796 students), a higher rate of provision, but still below the provision across London as a whole. [...]” (Student Demand Study, Knight Frank, June 2024)

The committee was satisfied that the student accommodation units were of an adequate size, based on the Council's own HMO standards.

The applicant, Astur Living, has been in discussions with Sheffield Hallam University, who are establishing a satellite campus at Brent Cross Town, about the nomination of student rooms. A letter of comfort from Sheffield Hallam is included with the application.

We first started looking at this site in early 2023 and it was clear to us quite early on there was a unique opportunity to deliver a landmark student scheme. The new Brentcross West station and then the excellent placemaking underway at Brentcross Town made a compelling opportunity for us, but really it was the new Sheffield Hallam campus that really gave us the confidence to move forward and acquire the site in October last year.

The committee raised concerns about whether the development could be occupied by single people other than students.

It is how you are going to ensure that it is just for students taking places there and not other possibly single people,

They were told that this would be addressed through a combination of an occupancy restriction, a nomination agreement with Sheffield Hallam University, and the development's operational management plan.

Affordable student housing

35% of the rooms will be affordable student accommodation, as defined in the London Plan, meaning that the rooms will be available at a rent of no more than 55% of the maximum student maintenance loan available. This will be secured by a planning obligation.

Design

The development will take the form of two distinct elements:

  • A shoulder block, 10-11 storeys high, running along Geron Way.
  • A landmark tower of 26 storeys (plus ground and mezzanine level), which will be located next to Brent Cross West Station.

Both elements will be connected at lower levels.

The committee was satisfied that the design of the scheme is acceptable, particularly the design of the tower, which includes an architectural crown.

Personally I think the design is exceptional.

The committee received a presentation from the planning officer, Sam Gerstein, including details of the design of the development and the proposed materials.

They were also told about the feedback received from the Quality Review Panel, who praised the scheme's design and the proposed materials.

“The Barnet Quality Review Panel thanks the design team for their presentation and for their response to the comments made at the last review. It feels that the building has been well designed and exceeds the quality often seen in student accommodation schemes. Given that it will be one of the first buildings in a new place, it has the potential to set a high benchmark for what is to follow and to be an exceptional building in its own right." (Quality Review Panel, Chairs review 7 August 2024)

The committee was also informed about the Council's Western Lands Masterplan Framework, which seeks to encourage high quality design in the growth area. The framework identifies the application site as an appropriate location for a tall building that can act as a landmark and urban marker.

Section 106 obligations

The development will be subject to a Section 106 Agreement1 to secure a number of planning obligations, including:

  • An agreement to nominate 51% of the rooms to a higher education provider, including the affordable rooms.
  • A contribution of £100,000 towards improvements to a footway and toucan crossing on the A5
  • The delivery of a skills and employment plan to maximise job creation during the construction phase.
  • The provision of off-site highway improvement works to Geron Way, including the installation of CCTV
  • The provision of welfare facilities for TfL bus drivers
  • A carbon offset payment of £247,956

These planning obligations are considered to be necessary to mitigate the impact of the development.


  1. Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows a local planning authority to enter into a legally binding agreement with a developer to secure improvements or mitigate the impacts of a development.