Brent Council’s planning committee granted permission for ten new homes across three sites, as it seeks to meet its housing targets.

Speaking at a planning meeting on November 6, Cllr James Denselow, chairman of the committee, noted that the council has a commitment to build a certain number of houses each year.

He added that there are around 4,000 people in the borough on housing waiting lists and explained that the committee must look at each application in pure planning terms.

It comfortably approved two two-storey developments in Harlesden Road, which will provide eight new flats, and another in Keats Court, Byron Road, which will house three one-bedroom homes.

This was despite opposition over several issues including parking and overcrowding, as councillors sided with planning officers’ recommendations to give the go ahead in all three cases.

In the case of one of the developments in Harlesden Road, the family of the neighbouring property pleaded with the committee to deny permission.

“We have had this house since 1979 and we have worked hard to keep it,” said Azhar Ahmed.

“The whole point of buying the house was to have access from the side, which could be used by our neighbours as well.

“We’ve done a lot of work on this house – it’s our family home. Our kids were born there, and it will be passed onto them.”

The application suggested that the new flats be built alongside the current property; removing the side access and turning it from an end terrace into a terraced house.

Ian Coward, representing the planning agent, explained that the question around access was “redundant” since the land there is owned by the applicant.

“This is an opportunity to provide two new homes,” he said.

“We have had it checked by a solicitor – [building] can go ahead and it is deliverable.”

Cllr Denselow explained to the objectors that other issues, including the that of land ownership and party wall agreements, could be discussed with separate committees.