• To monitor planning applications in the Sudbury area presented to Brent Council.
• To obtain information such as references, applications details, planning maps and to alert the Association of any actions regarding deadlines for comments, etc.
• To advise the Association of more effective ways to make representation to Brent Council or other authorities in cases of opposition to a planning application.
• To keep STRA updated concerning current and forthcoming applications, e.g., installation of toilets near Sudbury and Harrow Road station, traffic reorganisation plan, no. 182 bus stop, and others.

 May 2022 Draft Local Plan 2019 to 2029 extended to 2041

We have seen the inappropriate high rises built on every corner in Brent and this is just the beginning!

Brent Council’s Draft Local Plan 2019 to 2041, contains plans to build within and around our green spaces, demolish rows of houses and replace them with blocks of flats, families can be forced to sell their homes if neighbours are keen to sell to developers and one in four houses can be converted into HMOs - turning our wonderful neighbourhoods into high density communities of blocks of flats and high rises with loss of our community and heritage assets.

We are all aware of the housing shortage in England, and like every borough, Brent was given a target to build new homes to help the Government minimise the shortage.

Brent’s target was 23,250 homes from 2019 to 2029 and this target has been met via developments approved in:

14,000                        Wembley Park

6,000                          Beresford Avenue

2,285 (net)                 Northwich Park Hospital,

1,500                          Wembley Central

1,059                          Alperton - Abercom, Alperton House, Alperton Bus Garage, The Boat pub, Jewson,  Minavil House & Wharfside

Total

24,844

However, according to the Draft Local Plan, the Council plans to continue building new homes, far beyond our needs. 

We need family homes and social housing.  Instead the Council has already approved expensive 1 and 2 bedroom flats in high numbers.

An interesting observation is that the plan inadequately projects for our increased need for emergency services, hospitals, schools, GP services, transport, highways, utilities and other essential services to support the extra homes and new residents.

Everyone living in Brent has a say on the Local Plan and it is the Council’s duty to consult all the residents.  Whilst the Council has held public consultations, they give the impression that development will be focused in Growth Areas: Alperton, Burnt Oak / Colindale, Kilburn, Neasden, Northwick Park and Wembley Park.

The Draft Local Plan will open the doors to development across the whole borough more than doubling the housing targets.

Most residents are not aware that Brent Council has met borough-wide housing targets for the next 15 years.

We are challenging Brent Council on the excessive development plans.  Brent Council have an experienced in-house legal team and for our community to effectively challenge the Council’s plans, we need legal representation, which comes at a cost. 

We have set up an online fund raising page and ask you to kindly support us by donating whatever you can to help towards the legal costs, every £1 will make a difference.

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Please spread the word and encourage your family, friends and neighbours to join us and support by donating.

The Go Fund Me link is https://gofundme.com/f/Sudbury-Town-Residence-Association

If you would like to donate anonymously, please select ‘Other’ to complete.  There are also tax benefits from donating and please be assured that all donations will be used for legal costs*.

We are local residents who volunteer our time and share our knowledge and experiences to support STRA and make a difference in Sudbury Town.

*Go Fund Me charges a fee when the funds are withdrawn

STRA Volunteers have been working hard since Brent Councils initial public consultations in 2018 to change the Draft Local Plan so that the Plan protects our green spaces, sports land, heritage assets, community centres, family houses, low-rise character and achieve real affordable homes. 

STRA Volunteers are committed to protecting our green spaces and low-rise character of Sudbury.

More updates to come…….

STRA  remain concerned that the Highways and Infrastructural needs of Brent required now and in the future to meet the demands of housing growth, proposed in the 20 year Draft Local Plan has not been sufficiently and appropriately planned.

We have shared with the Inspectors our recent communication with Brent Council regarding Highways and Infrastructural needs in Sudbury Town, to assist the Inspectors in understanding the experience of local people. 

19/1241 Car Park next to Sudbury Town Station, Station Approach, Wembley, HA0 2LA How has STRA Neighbourhood Forum voiced resident’s concerns (updated April 2021)?

April 2019 – Public Consultation Open

June 2019 – Public Consultation Closed

• STRA Neighbourhood Forum conducted a survey with 531 objections from local residents.
• STRA Neighbourhood Forum sent a written objection

November 2019 - Public Consultation

• STRA Neighbourhood Forum sent a detailed report and submitted a survey of 516 objections from local residents.

May 2020 – Brent Planning Committee Meeting

• Local residents, Paul Lorber and Carol O'Connell, spoke at the Brent Planning Committee Meeting on May 6 2020, representing STRA.
• STRA Neighbourhood Forum advised the Brent Planning Committee that certain Statutory Consultation rules had not been met.
• Four Councillors voted against the application and three Councillors voted in favour.
• After the vote, David Glover, Brent Council Planning Manager proposed that this vote should not be considered and suggested the developers, Pocket Living an opportunity to amend their planning application.
• The Brent Planning Committee Chair carried forward this proposal.

June 2020 - Brent Planning Committee Meeting

• STRA Neighbourhood Forum took legal advice.
• STRA members from South Sudbury area donated monies for legal representation.
• Local residents, Paul Lorber, Samji Meghani and Carol O'Connell, spoke at the Brent Planning Committee Meeting on June 10 2020, representing STRA.
• Brent Planning Committee voted to reject the planning application 19/1241.

April 2021 – Developer Appeals to Secretary of State

• Sudbury residents have been notified about Pocket Living’s appeal against Brent Council’s decision to refuse the application.
• STRA Neighbourhood Forum is currently taking further legal advice.

19/1241 Car Park next to Sudbury Town Station, Station Approach, Wembley, HA0 2LA

Re-development of existing car park for the erection of a three-storey building (Building A), and a part-three, part-five storey building (Building B), providing 52 x one-bed dwellings. Associated provision of communal roof terrace and courtyard, refuse storage, cycle parking and landscaping. Re-provision of 3 disabled car parking bays nearest to Station Approach to serve Sudbury Town Underground Station. (DEPARTURE FROM POLICY CP21 OF BRENT'S LOCAL PLAN). (REVISED DESCRIPTION).

Planning Application 19/3329 - Sudbury Town Station - Waiting Rooms 1 & 2 Ceiling Murals

Listed building consent for the creation of two ceiling murals for the waiting rooms on platforms 1 and 2 (one on each platform) covering the majority of the ceiling and associated works.

Keelers Service Centre, 709 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2LL

18/3069 | Demolition of existing M.O.T testing centre and erection of a part 5 and part 6 storey mixed use building comprising office (Use class B1) at ground floor and 22 residential units on the 1st to 5th floors (6 x 3 bed; 8 x 2 bed and 8 x 1 bed); plant room in basement; PV panels at roof level, cycle parking and waste storage (revised description) | Keelers Service Centre, Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2LL

You may view and track the application on the Brent website. The documents should be available to view by 16 August, 2018, or next working day if it is a public holiday.

The web address to view the application is

pa.brent.gov.uk

(please use application search and enter 18/3069 )

www.brent.gov.uk/planning

The planning inspectorate has set the date for the appeal hearing for 852A - C and rear of 852 Harrow Road.

It will take place between 10am and 5pm on Wednesday 26th September in the Members Suite, 4th Floor, The Drum, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley HA9 0FJ

Click below to download the PDF and read the full letter from Brent Council.

PLEASE NOTE THE REVISED MEETING ROOM HAS BEEN ARRANGED DUE TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.

The Planning Inspectorate has called for an Informal Hearing to be held on a date yet to be decided.

This is because a decision was not made by the Planning Inspector following written representations submitted by the 7th February 2018 deadline.

Before this Informal Hearing takes place there is an opportunity for members of the community to make, update or amend comments in writing to the Planning Inspectorate no later than 27 June 2018.

These must be sent to the following address, quoting the reference number

App/T5150/C/17/3180565:

The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3E Hawk Wing,
Temple House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN

Email addresses:

teame1@pins.gsi.gov.uk 

teame2@pins.gsi.gov.uk

Please note, with the exception of the appeals process changing from Written Representation to Informal Hearing, all details of this case remain as per the letter dated 11 January 2018 from Ross Coulter, which can be reviewed in the previous update (February 2018) on this webpage.

Brent Council has posted amended Appeal Notification Letters in regard to 852A – C and rear of 852 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2PX to original consultees and people that submitted comments by the previous deadline in February 2018.

A planning appeal (reference number App/T5150/C/17/3180565) was lodged in October 2017 by BMC against the Enforcement Notice (E/16/0318) issued by Brent Council on 12th June 2017.

Brent Council sent out consultation letters on 11th January 2018.

The closing date for comments by neighbours and other members of the public to the Planning Inspectorate regarding this appeal was 7th February 2018.

This is a copy of the consultation letter sent out by Brent Council.

                                                                                                                Planning and Regeneration

                                                                        Brent Civic Centre

                                                                                             Engineers Way
                                                                                   Wembley
                                                                                                   Middlesex HA9 0FJ

                                                                                   Tel:    020 8937 5239

                                                                                                   Email:    Ross.Coulter@brent.gov.uk

                                                                                     Web:   www.brent.gov.uk

                                                                    Our Ref:   E/16/0318

                                                                         Contact:   Ross Coulter
                                                                                                11 January, 2018

Dear Sir/Madam
TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (as amended) - Section 174
An appeal against a enforcement notice has recently been made to the Planning Inspectorate. The appeal relates to an alleged unauthorised development at:-
852A - C and rear of 852 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2PX
I am writing to you as a resident or someone who may be interested to know about the following development that has taken place without the Council's consent, that is:
Without planning permission, the material change of use of the premises to a mixed use as residential and a community centre/place of worship

("the unauthorised change of use") AND

Without planning permission, the erection of floodlights to the premises and the erection of a flag and signage to the premises.

("the unauthorised development")
The Council served an enforcement notice for the following reasons:-
It appears to the Council that the material change of use and unauthorised development took place within the last 10 years and within the last 4 years.The unauthorised change of use of the premises to a community centre/place of worship, by reasons of siting of the premises, the level public transport accessibility and the insufficient level of parking provisions for the use, results in unsafe vehicular movements and over-spill parking on the surrounding streets where such parking cannot be safety accommodated, and as such has a significant detrimental impact on the free and safe flow of traffic and pedestrians on the local highway network, contrary to Policies DMP1 and DMP12 of the adopted London Borough of Brent Development Management Policies document, 2016.The unauthorised change of use of the premises to a community centre/place of worship, by reason of the intensity and nature of the use and the proximity to residential dwellings and their gardens, results in unacceptable levels of incidental noise and disturbance to the significant detriment of amenities of the residents of the adjoining and nearby properties. This is therefore contrary to Policy DMP1 of the adopted London Borough of Brent Development Management Policies document, 2016 and paragraph 123 and 144 of the National Planning Policy Framework, 2012.The erection of floodlights to the premises results in unacceptable levels of light pollution from artificial light, having an adverse impact on the surrounding residents of nearby properties. This is contrary to Policy DMP1 of the adopted London Borough of Brent Development Management Policies document, 2016, Policy CP17 of the adopted Brent’s Core Strategy, 2010, and paragraph 125 of the National Planning Policy Framework, 2012 .The erection of a flag and signage to the premises has a detrimental impact on the appearance and character of the area, contrary to Policy DMP1 of the adopted London Borough of Brent Development Management Policies document, 2016, Policy CP17 of the adopted Brent’s Core Strategy, 2010, and the advice as set out within Supplementary Planning Guidance No.8 - “Advertisements (Other than Shops)”.
As an appeal has been made, the enforcement notice has not come into effect. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether this happens or not. However, if the enforcement notice does take effect, the notice requires the following steps to be taken within 1 month of the notice taking effect:

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                                                                                                                             Brent - building a better borough

STEP 1     Permanently cease the use of the premises as a community centre/place of worship.

STEP 2     Remove all equipment, materials and items, including bins, associated with the unauthorised change of                        use from the premises.

STEP 3     Remove the floodlights from the premises, and remove all debris, materials and items associated with the 

                  floodlights from the premises.

STEP 4     Remove the flag and signage from the premises, and remove all debris, materials and items associated

                  with the flag and signage from the premises.

The appeal of the enforcement notice has been made on the following grounds:-

1                That planning permission should be granted for what is alleged in the notice. (ground a)

2                That there has been no breach of planning control. (ground c)

3                That the time given to comply with the notice is too short. (ground g)

The Planning Inspectorate will now consider this proposal under the appeal process of written representations. The Planning Inspector appointed to determine the appeal will consider any written comments received. Oral comments, audio and videotapes will not be acceptable.

In addition, the Planning Inspector will visit the application site to consider the likely affects of the proposal on the surrounding area. During the site visit, the Planning Inspector will not discuss the appeal with, or listen to arguments from anyone.

Please make sure that any comments you have are sent in writing to the Planning Inspectorate no later than 7 February, 2018. These must be sent to the following address, quoting the reference number App/T5150/C/17/3180565.

The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3E Hawk Wing,
Temple House, 2 The Square,Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN

Email: teame1@pins.gsi.gov.uk or teame2@pins.gsi.gov.uk

Please note that the Planning Inspectorate will forward any representations that you make to the Planning Inspector to be taken into account before her or she reaches a final decision.
The Inspectorate's guide and other useful advice on appeals are available on their website: www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/planninginspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate will send copies of your written comments to this Council and the Appellant. Although you are required to state your name and address in the letter to the Planning Inspectorate, if you do not want these to be disclosed, please state this in your letter. However, if you do this, the Inspector will also not see your name and address. Therefore, the Inspector will not be able to give much weight to your comments and the Council advises you not to withhold your name and address because of this reason. The Council will place all written comments, including its own; the plans, drawings and any photographs relating to the appeal together in an appeal file held with the planning file.

To obtain further information on this application, please contact me (my contact details are at the top of this letter) OR you are welcome to view appeal documents on the Council's website at: : https://www.brent.gov.uk/services-for-residents/planning-and-building-control/planning-enforcement.

May I remind you that as a Planning Inspector and not Brent Council will decide the appeal, please send any comments you may have to the Planning Inspectorate. Please do not telephone any office of the Council merely to express your concerns or to ask about the outcome of the appeal as this will not help in deciding the appeal. Once the Planning Inspector has made a decision, the Planning Inspectorate will send copies of the decision to the Council and the Appellant. If you would like a copy of the Inspector's decision letter, please state this in your letter to the Planning Inspectorate.

Yours sincerely

Ross Coulter
Enforcement Planner

REGENERATION & ENVIRONMENT

The Applicant withdrew this application.

A planning application was received by London Borough of Brent regarding:

Planning Reference no.        17/5117

Alternative Ref no.                PP-06553435

Application date.                   30 November 2017

Consultation Expiry Date     05 February 2018

Proposal:

Demolition of the existing M.O.T. testing centre and erection of a 6 storey mixed use building comprising offices at ground floor (Use Class B1 or A2); 29 residential units at 1^st to 6^th floors (10 X 1 bed, 12 X 2 bed, 7 X 3 bed); plant room in basement; play area/PV panels at roof level with associated cycle parking and waste storage

STRA has been advised that the Babul Murad Centre will host a public meeting at St Andrew's Church 956 Harrow Road at 7pm on Wednesday 15th November.

The purpose of the meeting is to give a presentation on the proposal to apply for planning permission to build a Shia Mosque and residential apartments at 852 Harrow Road.

Please understand that STRA is not endorsing or supporting this meeting, we are just advising our membership to allow an opportunity to attend the presentation.

It would not be appropriate for STRA to comment on this proposal until a planning application has been submitted to Brent Council.

We hope there will be an opportunity for people to comment or ask questions and view sketch drawings following the presentation. 

Brent Council’s Planning Officers have now reviewed the application for 852 Harrow Road and the consultee responses, they had concerns and this current proposal has been refused.

They stated that there is a level of disruption caused to local residents when events take place which is beyond what residents can reasonably be expected to bear. The Planning Officers acknowledge that this does not apply to every event/activity which takes place at the site. Nevertheless, their concerns are that this location does not lend itself to all of the activities currently taking place. The applicant’s agent has been advised of this.

From Tim Rolt Brent Council Planning Enforcement Manager Regeneration and Environment

I am pleased to confirm that we have now issued the attached enforcement notices aimed at tackling the unauthorised use, flag, lights and bins (containers) and can also confirm that they have now been formerly served on the respective premises.

There is a right of appeal against these notices. If they do not appeal they have to be complied with by 30th July (the containers) and 22nd August (the use, lights and flag). If they do not comply by these dates (i.e. stop the use and remove the offending items), then the Council will consider either prosecution proceeding and/or direct action to ensure compliance.

If an appeal is made, then the effect of the enforcement notice is suspended until the appeal is determined. Appeals are dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate and take in the region of 6 months to determine. Unfortunately the Inspectorate currently have a significant backlog of appeals and if an appeal is made I very much doubt it will be determined this year.

On the 18th January STRA met with Brent Council to discuss their plans for Vale Farm. The basic outcomes were

(1) There are no immediate plans to rebuild the Leisure Centre
(2) Vale Farm must only be developed for sport or cultural purposes and that is because of the Neighbourhood plan
(3) If there was a feasibility study carried out, STRA would be consulted from the outset

STRA - Working for Sudbury Residents.