Brent consults on design guide for new developments

In a press release on Friday Brent Council announced consultation on a new Suppelementary Planning Document (SDP1):

Residents, businesses and developers are being called to have their say on a document that will influence future development in Brent.

The supplementary planning document (SPD1) sets out a number of principles that new development in Brent must be in line with, in order to receive planning permission.

The principles include things such as respecting the character, landscape, streetscape, architectural and historic environment of the area and ensuring new development is of an appropriate size, scale and mass in design which goes well with neighbouring development.

Cllr Shama Tatler, Brent Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Highways and Planning, said:

We are very much open to new development in Brent and it's important that new buildings are to the standard and appropriate design that our residents want to see in the borough.

That's why this document is so important, as it will set out the principles by which future applications will be judged.

The document has gone through a process of consultation where earlier feedback has been taken into account and amends made to the version we are seeking views on now, so the opinions given by residents, businesses and developers really do matter and I'd encourage everyone to have their say.
More information is available online at www.brent.gov.uk/spd1

Guidelines are of couse only effective if they are followed and Brent's record is not great. Too often planning officers' reports find spurious reasons for allowing through a development that does not meet the existing guidelines.

Here are some examples that acccording to the guidelines of developments would not be approved alongside actual developments that have been approved.