Jenrick approves L&Q’s Brentford scheme

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has approved London & Quadrant Housing Trust’s plans to redevelop a Citroen car dealership in Brentford, west London. The scheme, designed by Hawkins\Brown, comprises five building ranging in height from 12 to 18 storeys and will provide 441 homes, of which 50% will be affordable. L&Q’s planning application was called in by the then housing secretary James Brokenshire in May last year after mayor of London Sadiq Khan overruled Hounslow Council’s refusal of the plans. Hounslow Council ruled against the scheme in February 2018 due to its impact on nearby heritage assets, including the Kew Gardens world heritage site, and reliance on one and two-bedroom apartments. However, Khan took over determination of the scheme and approved it in August 2018 after L&Q to agreed to increase the affordable provision from 40% to 50%, which saw the number of  residential units in the development increase from 427 to 441. Jenrick considered the benefits of the scheme outweighed the “less than substantial” harm to the heritage assets.   To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette Image by Hawkins\Brown