Gove overrules inspector to approve Berkeley’s Hounslow plans

Michael Gove has overruled a planning inspector’s decision to refuse permission for Berkeley Group’s Hounslow plans. The developer’s St Edward division was awarded planning in April 2021 to build 2,150 homes on two sites on Syon Lane in the west London borough. The permission comprised 1,677 homes at the Tesco Osterley site and a further 473 homes and replacement superstore at Brentford Homebase. The plans were called in and subject to a planning inquiry in March 2022. In a letter sent yesterday, it was revealed that the planning inspector, Jenny Vyse, recommended that planning permission be refused for both applications in December last year, as they contravened both local and regional planning policy. Vyse said the plans would “result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area”, adding that the design of the site maximised capacity instead of putting forward the most appropriate form for the site. The secretary of state overruled all of these objections, even though the letter points out that he agreed that the plans were not in accordance with either London planning policies, local policies or the development plan. However, he said: “Weighing in favour of the proposal is the regeneration of under-utilised brownfield land, which carries substantial weight. Also weighing in favour is the delivery of up to 2,150 homes, which carries substantial weight, and the delivery of 750 affordable homes designed to meet the current housing need profile in Hounslow, which each carry substantial weight.” The letter added that the “less than substantial harm” to heritage assets on the site should be mitigated. Plans for the scheme were first lodged in 2020. Last week Berkeley chief executive Rob Perrin complained that the UK planning system had “created an increasingly uncertain, unpredictable and burdensome environment”. He added: “This is driving investment away from urban areas, restricting growth and preventing homes and other tangible benefits being delivered. It will lead to lower productivity, fewer jobs being created and net zero being harder to achieve, as the efficient reuse of land in urban settings to deliver, well-connected, nature-rich new communities near existing infrastructure is the most sustainable form of development.” The Tesco building was built in the 1990s on former industrial land that was once home to the Imperial Biscuit Works. Development on the 13.5-acre site will see nine residential plots and includes 215,000 sq ft of public open space, 54,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace and enhancements to the existing water gardens. The 3.5-acre Brentford site currently contains a 45,000 sq ft Homebase store. The store was marked as one of 42 to be closed by the retailer. The decision was made by housing and planning minister Lee Rowley on behalf of the secretary of state. To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews Image from St Edward