Houses planned for builder’s yard

AN old builder's yard has been earmarked for a significant housing development.

Housing association, the Origin Housing Group, has submitted an application to Camden council to develop the Haines plant hire and builders yard in Loudoun Road, next to South Hampstead train station, into 42 residential units.

The development would offer 50 per cent affordable units, including some family sized three or four bed flats with balconies, patio areas, private and communal garden space and an informal play area for children.

But Kilburn councillors, Janet Grauberg and James King, have raised some objections that they say are shared by some of the local residents.

The councillors fear that the building made lead to overdevelopment in the area.

They said: "There have been three recent major housing developments on, or just off, the stretch of Loudoun Road between Boundary Road and the Hilgrove roundabout.

"Loudoun Road is being transformed over quite a short period, so planners need to give consideration to the cumulative impact of these developments and ask whether it constitutes overdevelopment."

They are also concerned about the appearance of the development.

They said: "There is particular concern that the Loudoun Road frontage is proposed to be eight storeys. This is significantly higher than, and out of character with, the neighbouring buildings.

"We also find the design somewhat strange in that the height of the building drops to four storeys on the Alexandra Road side, given that Alexandra Road slopes upwards."

The site will include only two car parking spaces in an attempt to meet Government's environmental requirements.

But Cllrs Grauberg and King said: "A development of this scale - with only two parking places - is likely to increase traffic and add to the pressure on parking places in the area.