60 homes and café space at High Street, Brentford

The site and surroundings

Plot H contains a vacant warehouse overhanging the River Brent and lies within a major mixed-use redevelopment scheme, partly in a conservation area and in Flood Zones 3a and 3b.

“Figure 1 – Plot H Site Location Plan 2.1 Plot H is one of the eleven main plots that comprise a major mixed-use redevelopment scheme known as Brentford Waterside. It is part of Phase 2 of the scheme and is bound by the Plot F to the north, Town Basin Wharf to the east, Johnson Island and the River Brent to the south, and Plot G, the River Brent, and MSO Marine boat repair yard to the west.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal followed the agreed uses, parameters and design guidance, provided good homes and would not harm neighbours or highways.

“The original permission has a Development Specification, Design Code and Maximum Parameters that all guide and control the final details of the parts of the site that were approved only in outline, with matters of appearance, landscaping, layout, access and scale all reserved for final approval. The proposed details of the reserved matters are consistent with the agreed uses, parameters and design guidance for Plot H.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A boatyard representative opposed open balconies because of noise and possible future restrictions, while the applicant’s agent supported approval based on noise assessments and mitigation.

Committee debate

Members considered whether noise from the boatyard justified winter gardens, while officers advised that the application had to be considered as submitted and existing conditions protected internal noise levels.

“Following questions legal adviser Jimmy Walsh clarified that imposing a condition replacing balconies with winter gardens would be too much of a change from the existing application. Winter gardens had been imposed on an apparently similar application but that had been a compromise accepted by that applicant. On the matter currently being considered that was not the case.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Max Mosley moved approval, Councillor Emma Siddhu seconded it, and members voted 9 in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention.

“During debate Cllr Max Mosley acknowledged concerns over noise on balconies but accepted that a noise assessment had given approval which had been shared by Council noise team officers. He moved to approve the officers’ recommendations, seconded by Cllr Emma Siddhu. Members voted to approve the Application by a majority vote of 9 to 2, with one member ineligible to vote due to having arrived during the officer’s presentation (with apologies).”

“For – 9 votes Against – 1 vote Abstained – 1 vote Ineligible to vote - 1”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission for the reserved matters application was approved subject to safeguarding conditions.

“Resolved – that planning permission for planning application P/2023/3074, Application for the approval of reserved matters (access, scale, appearance, layout and landscaping) for Plot H submitted pursuant to outline planning permission 00607/BA/P2 dated 02/04/2015 for outline planning for the demolition of existing buildings and retention of a number of buildings as part of a comprehensive mixed use development comprising a maximum of 111,821sqm (GEA) including a maximum of…”

Minutes