63 homes and commercial unit at Scrubs Lane,, London NW10

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing structures and building a five- to 13-storey scheme with 63 homes and 129 square metres of commercial space.

“Summary Application reference 23/0235/FUMOPDC Site address North Kensington Gate North, 93-97A Scrubs Lane, London, NW10 6QU Proposal Demolition of existing structures and redevelopment of the site to provide a residential building ranging in height from 5 to 13 storeys, with 63 residential units (Use Class C3), 129 sqm of ground floor commercial uses (Class E), including cycle parking, plant space, landscaping and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.1-hectare site contained a two-storey industrial building beside St Mary’s Cemetery, industrial buildings and residential development.

“Application site 3.2 The application site is 0.1 hectares and is located on the east side of Scrubs Lane. It is within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF). The site is currently occupied by a two storey industrial building comprising six individual units with a total floor area of 885sqm (GIA) and an area of hardstanding for servicing. Access to the site is directly from Scrubs Lane. To the east of the site lies St Mary’s Cemetery.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the housing, commercial use, design, transport, amenity and environmental effects acceptable, subject to conditions and planning obligations.

“The amount of family housing is 19% which is below the OPDC Local Plan’s 25% target but is considered acceptable given the site characteristics and its ability to accommodate a mix of housing types and sizes. Overall, the housing mix, tenure, unit sizes, accessibility and density are acceptable. The quality of accommodation, including amenity and play space provision is also acceptable.”

“Due to the constraints of the site, accessible parking is also not provided. This falls short of London Plan requirements; however, this is considered to be acceptable as the applicant has identified on street car parking bays to the north of the site that could be used for blue badge holders and converted to accessible spaces if required. The proposal includes an on street servicing bay on Scrubs Lane.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Responses included objections about affordable housing, heritage, density and transport, while other consultees supported or raised no objection subject to mitigation.

“In response to the statutory public consultation no objections have been received from local residents. There were however two objections from local neighbourhood groups which are included in table 6.1 below. Statutory Consultees and Stakeholders 6.5 The following statutory consultees and other stakeholders were consulted on the application and their responses are summarised below.”

“The affordable housing offer has since been increased following a review of the Financial Viability Assessment (FVA) to 15.3% from 5%. The affordable housing offer is discussed at paragraphs 7.24 to 7.43 of this report and is considered to be the maximum viable amount the scheme can deliver. Car Giant…”

Officer report

What local groups said

Two neighbourhood groups objected over affordable housing, density, transport accessibility, high-rise development and the lack of nearby amenities.

“- No case for a high-density, high-rise scheme in this location due to current PTAL levels and lack of amenities in the area and little prospect for this changing. - Challenge the claims that the southern part of Scrubs Lane will emerge as a ‘well connected place’ that can support high density, high rise and car free housing. - Transport Assessment fails to reconsider the site context from the 2016 site context.”

“- Affordable housing offer is way below that required by the London Plan and OPDC Local Plan and proposals offer little by way of other public benefits. - The location is not well-connected and little prospect of the PTAL of the site being improved therefore housing density not suitable. - Lack of shops and amenities in the area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s planning agent, viability consultant and architect addressed the committee about deliverability, affordable housing, design, access and public benefits.

What members discussed

Members questioned cemetery access, landowner consent, viability, affordable housing, blue badge parking and noise before expressing support for the scheme.

“The applicant’s architect explained the policy requirement for the link and confirmed ongoing engagement with the landowner to secure the necessary permissions. Further comments were made regarding the viability challenges of the scheme. The applicant’s architect explained that increased costs and regulatory changes had significantly affected deliverability, particularly for high density residential development. The Committee discussed the affordable housing offer.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Permission was granted subject to planning conditions, a Section 106 agreement, delegated finalisation and completion of the agreement by 19 March 2026 unless extended.

“The Chair thanked the applicant team and Officers for their work in bringing the proposals forward and emphasised the importance of progressing to delivery so that much needed housing could be delivered on the site. Members who attended the meeting in person were permitted to vote. Councillor Matt Kelcher was not permitted to vote on this item because he was not present for the whole of the item.”

“(d) If the section 106 agreement has not been completed by 19 March 2026 or within such other extended time as the Director of Planning may consider appropriate, to consider whether planning permission should be refused on the grounds that the proposals are unacceptable in the absence of a legal agreement to secure planning obligations that mitigate the impacts of the development.”

Minutes