Last month there was good news for housing in Hounslow. A massive proposal got a green light from the Housing Secretary after encountering issues with local planners. We want to have a closer look at the plan here and what it will bring to the area. Then, if you want guaranteed rent in Hounslow for any homes, you can rely on us.
New blocks
The proposal by St Edward Homes, a partnership between Berkeley and L&G Investments, was to develop two sites on Syon Lane, a Homebase and a Tesco. These developments would create 2,150 homes in a series of 16 blocks. The tallest blocks would be 17-storeys, reaching 20m in height.
New housing is always a great thing, especially in London. However, the initial reaction to the proposal was to reject it. Inspectors said the height of the buildings would seriously harm the character and appearance of the area. Heritage England also had concerns about this, particularly because part of the site is in a conservation area where there is protection against developments that cause harm.
The concerns lead to the proposal being rejected by planners and unlikely to get local planning permission. However, Housing Secretary Michael Gove did not share the view. He made the decision to call in the application in November to decide whether to give it permission or not. In December Gove said that he would recommend approval for the project.
In a letter about his decision, Gove said the heights would not cause major harm to the area. He admits there would be some impact, but feels it would be moderate. Plus, in the context of the rest of the development, the blocks don’t appear excessively tall. Finally, he said the proposals were in compliance with Hounslow’s local plan.
An important thing to take away from the decision is the importance of positioning with tall buildings. The goal should be to place them carefully on sites to ensure there isn’t a wall of massive blocks. This is much more sensitive to an area. It could lead to more projects getting permission and ultimately more housing and other amenities. In turn, that could create more demand for guaranteed rent in Hounslow.
What will happen now?
The project getting a green light from the Housing Secretary is great news. It means that the proposals can proceed, resulting in thousands of new homes.
However, there could be some delays in work getting underway. Berkeley said in December they are putting investments in building new housing on hold. They have concerns about the current operating environment. This could be due to things like high interest rates, labour shortages, and material prices. Plus, they have concerns about the planning and regulatory environment.
Do you want help with guaranteed rent in Hounslow?
If you invest in properties and want a unique service to save you from voids and lost rent, we can arrange it. As you can tell, we specialise in guaranteed rent. By working with us and local councils in London, you get the best support and wonderful benefits. You will get rent consistently, with no stoppages.
So, if you want to learn more about guaranteed rent in Hounslow or other parts of London, speak to us. We’ll ensure you understand how it works and why so many investors choose it.
