wembley-plan-app (small) , item 9. PDF 8 MB - Meetings, agendas ...

82Wembley Area Action Plan - Proposed Submission Version7 HousingStudent Accommodation7.32 Policy 3.8 of the London Plan states:“Londoners should have a genuine choice of homesthat they can afford and which meet theirrequirements for different sizes and types ofdwellings in the highest quality.” The policy, whichacknowledges that London's universities make asignificant contribution to its economy and labourmarket, aims to ensure that London’s universitiesattractiveness and potential growth are notcompromised by inadequate provision for newstudent accommodation.APPLICATIONQuintain NorthWest LandsDexion HouseQuintain iQKelaty HouseVictoria HallSTATUSCttee approved 12.05.11 subjectto s106 and GLA approvalConsent granted 14.06.11To be completed by summer 2012Consent granted 26.10.12September 2011TotalROOMSup to 8806616605994352,636Table 7.2 Permissions for student accommodation inWembley7.33 The situation in Wembley can reflect thecontinuous growth of the student accommodationsector. Over the past few years, a number of majorplanning applications for Wembley have involvedstudent accommodation. By 2012, 1,095 newstudent rooms will be completed. Further studentaccommodation proposals are in the pipeline whichwould provide 2,636 bedrooms in total.7.34 The student accommodation sector in theUK has been growing particularly when otherinvestment sectors are still volatile. The situationin Wembley can reflect the continuous growth ofthis sector. Wembley is well served by publictransport and it takes only 10 minutes by rail to getto Central London where most of the highereducational institutions are based. Over the pastfew years, a number of major planning proposalsin Wembley have involved student accommodationthat would provide around 2,600 student bedroomsin total if all are implemented. This will result inalmost 10% of the new population for WembleyGrowth Area being students.7.35 The London Plan recognises that London’suniversities make a significant contribution to itseconomy and labour market. It is important thattheir attractiveness and potential growth are notcompromised by inadequate provision for newstudent accommodation. New provision may alsoreduce pressure on other elements of the housingstock currently occupied by students, especially inthe private rented sector. Nevertheless, therequirements for student housing should notcompromise capacity for conventional homes.7.36 Brent acknowledges that students cancontribute significantly to the local economy.However, an increase in student population canalso put pressure on some types of services andfacilities such as leisure and health facilities.Another issue is that student accommodation useis competing with other land uses which can providemore employment opportunities or relieve identifiedhousing need within the borough. If purpose-builtstudent accommodation developments are to besuccessful, they must be located and managedto minimise adverse impacts on the surroundingcommunity and also be in locations which willbe attractive to students. Appropriate locationsinclude, for example, Chesterfield House andDexion House.