Alperton Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document B R E N T Contents
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Alperton masterplan SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT B r e n t CONTENTS 1.0 Foreword 3 ALPERTON’S CORE 38 2.0 Executive Summary 4 8.0 Alperton’s Core: a cultural centre 40 8.1 Regeneration principles 42 3.0 A Vision for Alperton 6 8.2 A place to live: housing types 44 4.0 Achieving the Vision 8 9.0 Waterside neighbourhood: a new community 46 5.0 Change of use: supporting growth 10 9.1 Regeneration principles 48 ALPERTON TODAY 12 9.2 A place to live: housing types 50 6.0 Alperton today 14 10.1 Northfields: a new working suburb 52 6.1 Existing character 16 10.2 Regeneration principles 54 6.2 Getting around 18 MAKING IT HAPPEN 56 TRANSFORMING ALPERTON 20 11.1 Working with our partners 58 7.0 The Masterplan 22 11.3 Deliverability 60 7.1 A canal runs through it 24 11.5 Site development dependencies 62 7.2 New routes and streets 26 11.8 Delivering design quality 64 7.3 Destinations and places 28 12.0 Appendices 66 7.4 Reducing car use 34 7.5 Environmental Sustainability 36 3 FOREWORD Alperton was originally identified as a growth area through the preparation of the core strategy in 2008, at this time the area was attracting a lot of developer interest and there was no specific planning policy in place to ensure that proposals met the council’s regeneration objectives for the area. The economic downturn has meant that developments have taken longer to come forward in recent years and this has given the council the opportunity to reflect on what kind of development they would like to see in the growth area. This document has been developed over two years from visions to adoption in close collaboration with many stakeholders including residents, businesses, landowners and council officers. The aim of this document is to transform Alperton in a way which benefits existing as well as new communities and which is environmentally and socially sustainable as well as being economically viable. 4 2.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Brent Council has identified the The ‘Vision for Alperton’ developed The Industrial Transition Zone will Whilst much of the industrial land in land adjoining the canal in Alperton with council partners, residents, provide modern business space for Alperton is of poor quality, there are as a growth area suitable for the businesses and landowners, forms the large and small operations. A road businesses which are doing well and construction of new homes to meet basis for this masterplan. The vision bridge link across the River Brent will employing local people. The council the UK wide demands of population describes a transformed Alperton as connect Northfields Industrial Estate intends to encourage proposals where growth and the shortage of housing. having three distinct character with the North Circular Road and affected businesses have been offered areas by virtue of use, scale and onwards to Park Royal. an acceptable solution. This Supplementary Planning Document appearance, linked together by a (SPD) is part of the Brent Local A new urban structure is established Although the council’s property lively stretch of the Grand Union Development Framework and is supple- which suggests new streets and interests in the area are very limited, Canal. Each character area is mentary to the Brent Core Strategy 2010 connections, improving connectivity its role in delivery is to facilitate described in terms of its overall feel and the Site Specific Allocations 2011. The between the new and existing development and prioritise the and character, land use, building Alperton SPD was adopted by communities, and access to and across physical and social infrastructure height, street hierarchy, public realm, Executive in July 2011. The purpose of the canal. Destinations are identified needed to support new homes open space improvements and the masterplan is to set out in detail as a series of new public realm and and adapt to changing economic housing density, types and tenure. how the council will bring about the open space improvements. circumstances. transformation of this industrial area Alperton’s Core will be a lively A sustainable approach to transport The aim of this document is to into a new, mostly residential neighbour- centre for cultural activities, is set out which proposes fewer cars demonstrate how Alperton can be hood. It will provide clear guidance for community facilities and local and improved connections to public transformed through growth to developers, landowners and residents shopping. Development will be mixed transport. Energy efficient design and deliver homes, business space, jobs, about the scale of change which the use with a supply of modern business renewable energy are encouraged. services and infrastructure to support council would like to see happen. space for economic growth. a sustainable community. Viability studies have been carried As a growth area Alperton’s transfor- The Waterside Residential Neighbour- out to test which housing types and The Alperton Masterplan SPD mation sits within the council’s overall hood will predominantly be a place densities are feasible and deliverable was adopted as a Supplementary approach to growth: the delivery to live for families within a compact considering current and emerging Planning Document to the Councils of physical, social and economic environment defined by a network of market conditions. Local Development Framework regeneration by enabling new connected streets and public spaces. (LDF) Core Strategy at Executive on development in a defined location. Access to the canal for existing and 18 July 2011. This transformation is considered new residents will be introduced. within the context of the diverse population of Alperton and how it can support existing arts and cultural activities. 5 The strategic objectives of the SPD are to: Social Environmental Economic • deliver a quality environment where people will want • develop a distinct urban character of buildings, streets • protect and enhance the viability and vitality of to live, work, shop, study and visit and spaces celebrating Alperton’s unique assets Ealing Road as a district centre • provide new homes for families, couples and individuals • open up the canal and develop it as a place for • exploit Alperton’s proximity to the Park Royal recreation, respite, peace and transport Industrial Estate to generate more local jobs. • provide new social infrastructure (education and health facilities, community centres) to support growth. • provide new and improved open spaces for recreation. 6 3.0 A VISION FOR ALPERTON N There are some great things But these great attractions do not happening in Alperton today. Ealing add up to an identifiable community. Road is one of London’s best Asian Ealing Road loses its unique character Alperton shopping areas and the stunning new as it approaches Alperton Station. Shri Sanatan Hindu Temple is now The streets are visibly run-down New public space complete. It has become an important and disadvantaged and the canal is around Alperton visitor destination. under-used. Station and Alperton Community School Hidden behind the housing and Our vision for Alperton is to transform industrial estates is Alperton’s this disjointed and run-down part great surprise – one of the most of London into a coherent and under-appreciated stretches of the attractive place to live, work, shop, Grand Union Canal. Running along study and visit. the canal is a network of small industrial estates, supporting a wide variety of businesses. Alperton Station and school Middlesex House Stopping for a coffee in a canal side cafe, you will join workers and residents enjoying their lunch break. Key 7 Stonebridge Built area Public space Public footpaths boundary and walks Stonebridge Park Station Diwali Festival on Ealing Road, the biggest Retained Diwali Festival industrial outside of India heritage sites Existing footbridge Ace Café Improved public transport Commercial uses for the canal Park Royal Yo u will observe residents relaxing, socialising and playing alongside, and on, the canal. A choice of routes lead you into Wembley, Ealing or Central London. 8 4.0 ACHIEVING THE VISION Masterplan Study Area The masterplan is a Supplementary Placemaking is a key driver in the Developments will include affordable Planning Document (SPD) part of the proposals set out in this document housing with a target of 50 per cent Brent Local Development Framework where major proposals in Alperton affordable housing (CP2), a balanced and is supplementary to the Brent should have regard for the needs of housing stock with a mix of unit sizes Core Strategy 2010 and the emerging the community and the need for according to the particular character Site Specific Allocations 2011. It is a infrastructure, both social and area (CP21). The 2009 BNP Paribas material consideration for the deter- physical, arising from development. study demonstrated that 50 per mination of planning applications for This approach is embedded within the cent affordable housing would development in the masterplan area. Core Strategy (CP5). be achievable under certain circumstances but ultimately this will Alperton has been identified as being All development proposals must depend on the viability of suitable for at least 1600 new homes deliver and contribute to forms of each scheme. (Core Strategy Policies CP2 and CP8) physical and social infrastructure, but the council owns very little of the either directly through development Residential development must land identified so cannot physically or through secured planning achieve Code for Sustainable Homes deliver the change on its own. obligations, including open space, Level 4. Commercial and community play space, towpath improvements floor space must achieve BREEAM This masterplan has been developed and forms of health and education. excellent (CP 19). to inform and influence developers in New development that provides the types of development the council The proposals in this document additional community facilities in would consider appropriate in provide one interpretation of how space that meets occupier’s needs, Alperton.