- Plans submitted by property developers Hollybrook to Brent Council for seven new tower blocks at Neasden Goods Yard, next to Neasden Underground Station.
- Development includes over 1,000 homes and 600 student rooms, ranging from five to 45 storeys – the tallest residential development in Brent borough.
- Revised plans resubmitted after initial 2023 proposal, scaled back from previous maximum of 51 storeys and higher student accommodation numbers.
- Developers claim the scheme delivers “significant public benefits” and is an “exemplary scheme”.
- Neasden residents complain that the towers will obscure views of the iconic Wembley Stadium.
- Site previously featured plans to demolish 105 structures, as linked in related reporting.
What Are the Core Details of the Proposed Development?
The Neasden Goods Yard site, ripe for urban renewal, sits primed for transformation under Hollybrook’s blueprint. Plans detail seven towers varying from five to 45 storeys, blending family homes with purpose-built student accommodation.
According to coverage in MyLondon, the development targets over 1,000 residential units and 600 student rooms, addressing housing pressures in North London. Hollybrook describes the revised scheme as continuing to “deliver an exemplary scheme” with unchanged “significant public benefits”, as noted in their submission to Brent Council.
Earlier iterations included ambitions to demolish 105 structures on the site, a point highlighted in linked MyLondon reporting on prior plans. Scaling back heights and student numbers reflects responses to previous feedback, though specifics on the reductions remain tied to council deliberations.
Why Have Neasden Residents Raised Objections?
Local discontent centres on the visual impact of these high-rises. Neasden residents have voiced strong complaints that the towers will obscure sightlines to the iconic Wembley Stadium, a landmark visible from many nearby vantage points.
MyLondon reports capture this sentiment directly: Neasden residents have complained that their view of the iconic Wembley Stadium will be obscured. No named individuals from the community are quoted in available coverage, but the issue underscores tensions between development gains and heritage views in densely populated Brent.
How Does This Fit into Brent Council’s Planning History?
Brent Council serves as the decision-making body, having received these resubmitted plans from Hollybrook. The authority previously greenlit nearby schemes, such as 61 flats in North London, as detailed in MyLondon’s coverage of approved redevelopments.
The Neasden proposal aligns with broader borough efforts to boost housing stock amid London’s shortages. However, the 45-storey pinnacle marks a first for residential scale in Brent, potentially setting precedents for future approvals.
As per MyLondon’s account, initial 2023 plans for the site were put forward but required revision, leading to this scaled-back version. Links to related stories, including a North London mum awarded £5k in council-linked news, illustrate the council’s active role in local affairs.
What Changes Were Made from the Original 2023 Plans?
The debut proposal in 2023 featured a standout 51-storey tower, now capped at 45 storeys – a notable reduction. Student accommodation numbers have also been pared down, though exact prior figures are not specified in sourced reporting.
MyLondon outlines that the scheme has been
“scaled back both in terms of building height… and in student accommodation numbers”.
Hollybrook’s resubmission positions these tweaks as refinements while preserving core public benefits.
Related MyLondon articles reference plans to demolish 105 North London structures, suggesting the site clearance remains integral despite height adjustments.
Who Are the Developers Behind the Project?
Hollybrook leads the charge as the property developers resubmitting these plans. Their statement, as covered by MyLondon, asserts the project “continues to deliver an exemplary scheme”.
No individual names from Hollybrook are attributed in the primary sources, but the firm’s track record in urban regeneration frames their pitch to Brent Council. The Neasden Goods Yard pitch emphasises proximity to Neasden Underground Station, enhancing transport links for future occupants.
Where Exactly Is the Neasden Goods Yard Site Located?
Nestled next to Neasden Underground Station on the Jubilee Line, the site offers prime connectivity to central London. This positioning bolsters the developers’ case for high-density housing.
MyLondon pinpoints the location in North London’s Brent borough, where the skyline shift would be most pronounced. Wembley Stadium’s nearness amplifies resident concerns over obscured views.
When Were the Plans Initially Submitted and Why Resubmitted?
Plans to redevelop the site surfaced in 2023, as documented by MyLondon. Resubmission came after feedback necessitated scaling back, with Hollybrook lodging the updated version recently.
The timeline ties into Brent Council’s ongoing planning cycle, with no decision date announced in available reports.
What Public Benefits Do Developers Claim?
Hollybrook touts “significant public benefits” persisting from prior iterations. MyLondon quotes their assertion that the scheme remains “exemplary”, likely encompassing affordable housing quotas, green spaces, or infrastructure upgrades – though specifics await council scrutiny.
This phrasing echoes standard developer submissions, balancing private gain with communal upsides.
How Tall Will the Buildings Be and What Makes This Significant for Brent?
Towers will span five to 45 storeys, crowning the tallest residential edifice in Brent. MyLondon deems it
“the tallest residential development in the borough of Brent”,
reshaping North London’s profile.
The height variance allows tiered integration into the existing urban fabric, from modest five-storey blocks to the 45-storey giant.
Will Wembley Stadium Views Be Permanently Lost?
Resident complaints, as per MyLondon, focus on obscured Wembley Stadium views – an iconic arch visible from Neasden. The 45-storey block poses the chief threat, potentially eclipsing panoramas for those in lower-rise areas.
No mitigation measures, such as view corridors, are detailed in sourced reporting, leaving the issue unresolved pending council input.
What Is the Broader Context of Housing Developments in North London?
This project slots into London’s housing crisis response, with Brent pushing density near transport hubs. MyLondon’s linked stories – from 61-flat approvals to site demolitions – paint a picture of accelerated builds.
Neasden Goods Yard’s revival mirrors trends, converting disused rail land into homes and student digs amid rising demand.
How Can the Public Respond to These Plans?
Brent Council’s planning portal will host the application for public review, typically allowing comments within set windows. MyLondon’s coverage, including share links to Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), amplifies calls for engagement.
Residents opposing view loss or scale may submit objections, influencing the inverted pyramid’s base: council verdict.
In the evolving saga of Neasden’s transformation, Hollybrook’s bid tests balances between growth and preservation. As plans advance, all eyes – perhaps soon partially shielded – turn to Brent Council.