The Brent Council Planning Committee convened to discuss two significant planning applications and other routine items. The committee approved plans for Argenta House, a 100% affordable housing development, and also approved a variation to a prior planning permission for a property on Lydford Road.

Argenta House, Argenta Way

The committee approved the application for the redevelopment of the site at Argenta House, Argenta Way, to construct a part 27, part 30-storey building. The development will provide 180 residential dwellings, with all units designated as affordable housing (88 for social rent and 92 for shared ownership), and a small commercial space.

The approval is subject to a Stage 2 referral to the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the completion of a Section 106 agreement¹ to secure planning obligations. Key aspects of the approval include:

• Affordable Housing: The development will provide 100% affordable housing, exceeding policy requirements.
• Design and Layout: The building's design was deemed of high architectural quality, fitting well within the context of the area and acting as a gateway to this part of the borough.
• Environmental Impact: The scheme incorporates measures for air quality, noise reduction, and sustainable drainage.
• Financial Contributions: The developer will make financial contributions towards Stonebridge Park Station improvements (£222,750) and local open space enhancements (£200,000).
• Highways and Transportation: The development will be car-free, with contributions towards a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) and improved pedestrian/cycling facilities.

Sandy Walker, development manager at Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, spoke on behalf of the applicant, highlighting the benefits of the scheme, including the provision of much-needed affordable homes and the re-naturalisation of Wembley Brook.

Councillor Jayanti Patel raised concerns about the naturalisation of the brooks and potential flooding risks, referencing flooding in 2023 on Talkington Avenue. Bob Davis, associate landscape architect on the project, explained that the concrete channel would be broken out and re-naturalised with terraced landscaping to mitigate flooding. Alex Atwood from Eden Bell-Young added that flood modelling had been conducted to ensure the design would not increase flood risk.

Councillor Ajmal Akram inquired about communication with the Alstom train care facility, given potential parking issues. Stuart Davies from TTP Consulting clarified that highway works would extend to the roundabout at Point Place and Argenta Way, but not beyond into the private road serving the depot.

Councillor Liz Dixon sought clarification on the entrance to the residential part of the building, which officers agreed to address through updated information on materiality and colourways during the discharge of conditions.

Councillor Robert Johnson asked about consultation events and community engagement. Sandy Walker responded that they had presented to the community review panel twice, the design review panel, and held a public exhibition, also meeting with ward councillors.

Councillor Saqib Butt raised concerns about the quality of the architectural design and its contribution to the local townscape. David Glover, Head of Planning and Development, assured the committee that the scheme had been through design review and quality review processes, with support for the general design principles.

Lydford Road

The committee approved a variation of condition 2 relating to planning permission 14/2952 for 37 Lydford Road, which concerned the construction of a new dwelling house within the Mapesbury Conservation Area. The application sought to allow for internal and external alterations to the layout, heights, footprint, ground levels, fenestration, and lightwells of the dwellinghouse, the addition of attached water tank storage and detached bin and cycle storages, alterations to the front boundary treatment, soft and hard landscaping, and the arrangement of photovoltaic panels to the main roof, and removal of green roofs.

The officer recommendation was for approval, and the committee voted to approve the application.

The approval is subject to conditions and informatives, including compliance with approved plans and landscaping implementation.

Darren Stewart, speaking on behalf of himself and the Mapesbury Residents Association (MAPRA), objected to the proposal, arguing that the development harms the conservation area and that the council should remain strong in its previous refusals.

Another objector, Mr Brodie, a neighbour of the property, raised concerns about overlooking and the impact on privacy, stating that the new building reduces privacy for all adjoining properties.

Paul Weeks, Senior Planning Lawyer, advised the committee on the weight that should be given to the previous appeal decision, noting that the inspector's decision was a significant material consideration.

Councillor Robert Johnson asked about the conservation officers' view, and it was confirmed that the conservation officer believed that it met the 2018 update to the conservation guide.

Councillors Robert Johnson and Jayanti Patel voted against the recommendation to approve the application. Councillor Robert Johnson stated that he felt it went against the grain of the conservation area. Councillor Jayanti Patel stated that the application was identical in size and scale to a previous application that the council had already ruled damaged the conservation area.