{"id":778758,"date":"2025-03-17T09:56:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T09:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=778758"},"modified":"2025-03-17T10:39:41","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T10:39:41","slug":"haworth-tompkins-wins-approval-for-seven-block-housing-scheme-in-wembley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/haworth-tompkins-wins-approval-for-seven-block-housing-scheme-in-wembley","title":{"rendered":"Haworth Tompkins wins approval for seven-block housing scheme in Wembley"},"content":{"rendered":"

The development will include six new residential buildings, providing 464 homes (88 affordable) and 421 co-living units ranging in height from two to 29 storeys, as well as a new single-storey, standalone community centre on a 1.14ha brownfield site in Atlip Road near Alperton tube station.<\/p>\n

Designed for landowner Atlip House Limited, the Stirling Prize-winner\u2019s<\/a> scheme will involve the demolition of all existing buildings, including the Atlip Centre, a multi-purpose building comprising retail outlets, a banqueting hall and gym, as well as a substation and a car park, to make way for the \u2018comprehensive redevelopment\u2019 of the site .<\/p>\n

It will be centred around a new public square, Atlip Gardens, and will feature landscaping and public realm improvements throughout, including a new pedestrian route from Alperton Station to Atlip Road, new car and cycle parking, and outdoor community and play space.<\/p>\n

The development will provide a total of 237m\u00b2<\/span> of commercial floorspace, 505m\u00b2<\/span> of community and flexible workspace, and 124m\u00b2<\/span> of flexible workspace.<\/p>\n

Brent Council\u2019s planning committee voted unanimously to approve the scheme on Wednesday, 12 March.<\/p>\n

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APPROVED: Haworth Tompkins plans for Atlip Road in Wembley<\/p>\n\t

Source:Haworth Tompkins<\/p><\/div>\n

More than 140 people had signed an online petition<\/a> opposing the scale of the plans, insisting that the high-rise buildings would be overbearing, causing \u2018severe\u2019 loss of light and overshadowing, and would overcrowd the area, increasing traffic congestion and putting ‘excessive strain’ on existing infrastructure.<\/p>\n

But Brent planning officers said the proposal would \u2018make efficient use of previously developed land in a highly sustainable location\u2019 and \u2018contribute significantly to borough housing needs\u2019, delivering affordable housing in line with national and local planning policy.<\/p>\n

Officers concluded that the proposed scale and massing of the buildings would respond well to the site context in a designated tall building zone within an identified growth area where tall buildings of a comparable scale already feature close by.<\/p>\n

They added: \u2018Adverse amenity effects on daylight and sunlight conditions to some existing nearby sensitive receptors [\u2026] are to be expected with development proposed at scale which seeks to make most efficient use of land.\u2019<\/p>\n

Brent Council had identified the site for development in its 2021 Local Plan, as part of its wider regeneration of the Alperton Growth Area where a number of residential-led redevelopment schemes have already completed or are under construction. A\u00a0former bus garage opposite the site is currently being developed as a mixed-use, residential-led development including buildings of up to 28 storeys.<\/p>\n

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APPROVED: Haworth Tompkins plans for Atlip Road in Wembley – site aerial view<\/p>\n\t

Source:Google Earth<\/p><\/div>\n

In a design and access statement, Haworth Tompkins said the proposal was an opportunity to significantly improve an \u2018underutilised\u2019 brownfield site, improving existing routes and addressing issues including insecure site boundaries, poor frontage to Alperton Station, overlooking, and \u2018very poor-quality\u2019 public spaces.<\/p>\n

The practice added: \u2018Our approach from the beginning of the project has been driven by a desire to balance strong placemaking and delivery of homes with a viable scale which mediates between the lower-rise Metroland development along Sunleigh Road and the emerging tall building cluster formed by Minavil House and the Bus Depot site.\u2019<\/p>\n

Haworth Tompkins said the central green open space, \u2018with buildings defining street edges\u2019, was key to its strategic approach to the site.<\/p>\n