Five one-bedroom homes at Land To The Rear Of The Middle Way, Wealdstone

“PROPOSAL Re-development of existing brownfield site to create one single storey and four two storey dwellings (5 x 1 beds); communal and private amenity space; associated landscaping; refuse and cycle store…”

“The application site relates to a small parcel of land (approx. 0.075 hectares) that adjoins the rear gardens of properties located along The Broadway, The Crossway and The Middle Way with the latter providing the only access entry point on to the site. The site access road is approx. 7 metres wide. After entering approx. 25 metres the site opens up, measuring 30 metres by 20 metres at its widest.”

“The site is under LB Harrow Council ownership and is part of a wider housing estate built in the 1930s and 1940s. Aerial photographs and google maps reveal the site was temporarily used for storage purposes, with large container units and skips located around the perimeter of the site. When the planning officer visited the site it was still used as storage location by the council.”

“LBH Highways Authority • Development is not expected to create any highway capacity issues. Subject to number of conditions and sec 106 proposed. • A Construction Method Statement (CMS) is required, detailing construction duration, peak activity periods, and types of construction vehicles. • CMS must be approved by LB Harrow prior to commencement of works.”

“LPA Landscape Architect Required Conditions (if approved) • Full hard & soft landscape scheme, including: o Planting plans, species lists, planting specifications, implementation programme. o Hard materials, boundary treatments, levels, external lighting. o Detailed biodiverse green roof specification and maintenance plan. • Landscape Management & Maintenance Plan for minimum 5 years, including responsibilities, maintenance schedules, and replacement planting.”

“Officer’s response: Construction impacts are temporary and managed by a Construction Management Plan (CMP) condition, controlling hours of work, noise, dust, deliveries, and contractor parking.”

“Officer’s response: The request for an independent review of the site’s suitability, further investigation into consultation claims, and additional assessment of potential negative impacts is noted. The Local Planning Authority can confirm that all relevant technical matters including site constraints, design quality, access, amenity impacts, and policy compliance have been fully assessed as part of the standard decision making process.”

“The Chair proposed that the application should be refused on the following grounds:”

“The proposal, by reason of its location is back land development, is of poor design and does not satisfy the Council's housing requirements, which identifies the need for family sized affordable housing, contrary to policies GR1 and GR10 of the new Local Plan (2021-2041), policy D3 London Plan (2021) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2024).”

“The Committee voted and resolved to refuse officer recommendation.”

“That if the Section 106 Agreement was not completed by 30th September 2026 (or such period as the Council may determine) of the date of the Committee decision on this application, then it is recommended to delegate the decision to REFUSE planning permission to the Chief Planning Officer on the grounds that:”