District heating network at 1 Minerva Road, Acton, London NW10

What was proposed

The application proposed an energy centre, underground heat pipes, a railway crossover gantry and associated works for the OPEN district heating network.

“Application reference 25/0184/FUMOPDC Site address Energy centre building: Minerva Road, London, NW10 6HJ; Pipework (western arm): Route along parts of – Minerva Road, Park Royal Road, Acton Lane, Coronation Road, Abbey Road, Central Way, Gorst Road, Park Royal Road Overbridge and adjacent railway land, Victoria Road, and Wales Farm Road; Pipework (eastern arm): Route along parts of – North Acton Road, Chase Road, Minerva Road, Bashley Road, St Leonard’s Road and Chandos…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The energy centre site was in a strategic industrial location, occupied by a two-storey warehouse used as a circular economy hub, with nearby homes about 70 metres away.

“The application site (inclusive of the DHN pipework route) is 6.83ha in size, as shown in Figure 3.1. The site includes land at 1 Minerva Road, London, NW10 6HJ, which measures 0.15ha in area and is the location of the proposed energy centre building. The energy centre site is shown in Figure 3.2.”

“1 Minerva Road is located in the Park Royal Strategic Industrial Location (SIL) and surrounded by buildings in various industrial uses. The existing building on the site is a two-storey warehouse currently in use as a circular economy hub, comprising a mix of storage and distribution, maker space and associated skills training uses.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

Earlier permissions covered a hanging fascia sign and the warehouse’s change of use to a mixed circular economy hub.

“A search of the planning records for the energy centre site at 1 Minerva Road reveals the following relevant planning history:”

“Reference Description of Proposal Decision 25/0057/ADVOPDC Erection of a hanging fascia sign. Express advertisement consent granted by OPDC 20/05/2025 24/0213/FULOPDC Change of use from B8 (storage and distribution) to sui generis (mixed use - storage & distribution, maker space and associated skills training). Permission granted by OPDC 07/03/2025”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it supported low-carbon heat, provided high-quality design, managed impacts through mitigation and accorded with planning policy.

“The architectural quality of the building is very high, as is the quality of the selected materials. Positive frontage to Minerva Road is proposed through an OPEN information board and a micro-gallery showcasing local makers and artists.”

“The proposed energy centre building has been designed to be energy efficient and targets a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. For low-carbon heat networks more generally, the NPPF and London Plan recognise their significant role and contribution towards sustainability and decarbonisation. The proposal is acceptable overall in terms of circular economy principles, air quality, archaeology, and land contamination and stability.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Director of Planning introduced the application, a senior planning officer presented it, and the applicant’s team addressed the committee.

What members discussed

Members praised the design and benefits, discussed design monitoring, construction controls, parking-space removal and the need to manage pipework disruption.

“It was noted that there were costs associated with upgrading the transmission grid and accordingly, local residents and businesses, as end users would see an increase in cost however this needed to be considered against the benefit of futureproofing for net zero targets. The scheme, as presented, required waste heat from two data centres, though flexibility was being built into the design to allow additional data centres to connect.”

“Members noted that the widening of the public footway in front of the building would necessitate the removal of three public parking spaces. This was supported, in principle, by the London Borough of Ealing as it wanted to encourage more sustainable transport usage. The Committee commented that the proposal was positive, with good quality design, the building would enhance the area and offered employment and sustainability benefits.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee unanimously resolved to grant planning permission subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement.

“The Committee commended the design and acknowledged that implementation, particularly around installation of the required pipework would need to be carefully managed to minimise disruption. RESOLVED: The Planning Committee unanimously resolved: To Grant planning permission subject to: a) The planning conditions as set out in Appendix 1 to this report; and b) The drafting of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended)…”

“Design Monitoring a) Retention of planning stage scheme architects unless otherwise agreed; b) A Design Monitoring contribution of a maximum of £50,000 where the lead architects are not retained for the detailed design of the scheme. v. Monitoring Contribution a) A contribution of £7,120.84 towards the cost of monitoring the Section 106 agreement. vi. Legal costs reasonably incurred by OPDC in connection with the application. vii.”

Minutes