Plans to convert a former North West London police station into 25 flats has been met with fierce opposition from local residents, with claims the “oppressive development”, which is located in a conservation area, will invade privacy, exacerbate fly-tipping, and cause parking chaos.
Developers, Euros Investment Limited, have applied to build a four-storey block, comprising 25 flats, at the site of the former Willesden Green police station on High Road.
Plans involve the demolition of “poor quality” outbuildings to make way for the residential properties and the retention and upgrade of the original police station building for two floors of commercial space.
A prior application to develop the site was refused in 2020 due to it causing “significant harm to the living conditions” of some residents of nearby Huddlestone Road and it “failing to provide an appropriate mix of housing”.
The latest plan has been revised to reduce the number of flats from 28 to 25, as well as changing the housing mix from six three-bedroom properties to three-bedroom family sized flats, and removing the second floor terrace and reducing the height of the building opposite the Huddlestone Road address.
However, the latest proposal has also received criticism from local residents for still being “oppressive” and “trying to cram too many units into a small space”. It has received 39 objections in total, including from Councillors Janice Long and Michael Maurice, which cite concerns about the scale of the development, invasion of privacy, and increased fly-tipping.
One resident wrote against the application: “The massing of the oppressive development is wrapped around my home and still causes a sense of enclosure that amounts to unacceptable harm for my family and ruins our current amenity and quality of life.”
Another added: “This represents a constant invasion of privacy, with a clear line of sight into our home and garden, where our family lives and works. The impact is far greater than occasional use-these are primary living spaces.”
96 High Road, Willesden Green. The former Police Station is currently being used as an artistic studio by \’property guardians\’ in order to “deter squatters away”. Image Credit: Google Maps. Permission to use
Outlined as a car-free development, the scheme will also comprise a cycle store with 42 spaces. However, residents fear that not providing on-site parking will simply “push the problem onto neighbouring streets” leaving them “busy and congested”.
The Metropolitan Police has already vacated the premises, with the building currently being used as an artistic studio whereby the occupants act as ‘property guardians’ – whose primary role is to protect the property from antisocial behaviour. This operation does not have planning permission and is a temporary use to “deter squatters away”, according to the developers.
Revised plans reveal that the 25 homes would comprise seven three-bedroom properties, as well as nine two-bedroom, eight one-bedroom flats and one studio apartment. The initial Financial Viability Assessment (FVA) submitted by the developers suggested that the scheme could not support any affordable housing as it would result in a deficit of £330,000.
However, when this was reviewed by Brent Council’s independent advisor, they advised that there would be a surplus and it was eventually agreed that the site could support five affordable homes.
Brent Council’s planning officer has recommended that the application be granted, although they have recommended that a £1.1m payment be made towards off-site affordable housing within the borough if a registered provider is unwilling to take on the affordable housing units. The plan will be reviewed at an upcoming planning committee meeting (June 11) where a decision will be made.
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