HTA designed the original BTR scheme for Essential Living receiving approval in 2017, before being acquired by L&Q in 2018 and redesigned as a market sale/affordable housing scheme and submitted under a S73 application.
The amended scheme will deliver 215 new homes of which 66% will be affordable, whilst replacing a large proportion of studio units in the original scheme with a more balanced mix of 1, 2 and 3 bed family homes.
Whereas the original scheme provided 25% private balconies in lieu of shared internal amenity, the amended scheme provides all homes with private balconies- a real benefit considering the circumstances currently and picked up by members of the planning committee. In addition, the scheme retains a large shared podium garden.
Other amendments ensure the scheme responds to current planning policy and building regulations, including an updated fire safety strategy, increased cycle storage and switch from gas fired boilers to air source heat pump technology. Alongside the residential element of the scheme, the amended scheme retains the provision of a new large format supermarket and two smaller retail units at ground floor focussed around a new public square on Brentford High Street, opening up and framing views towards St. Paul’s Church.
