Planning and design consultancy Boyer (part of Leaders Romans Group) has won an appeal on behalf of property investment specialist Ganco Assets for the development of 55 build-to-rent (BTR) units on Hounslow High Street.
 The 6,476 sqm (GIA) scheme will be delivered through the partial demolition of the existing building at 147-161 High Street, the retention of three ground-floor shops and the redevelopment above to create a six-storey building. This will provide 55 flats comprising a mix of 5 x studios, 26 x 1 beds, 16 x 2 beds and 8 x 3 beds, of which 5% will be affordable housing. There will be generous amenity spaces provided on-site, including private balconies for all units, two courtyards, a play space and two roof terraces.
 The site at 147-161 Hounslow High Street was formerly occupied by M&S but had since been subdivided into three retail units on the ground floor, with the upper floors remaining vacant.
 The appeal was predicated on viability and mix. During the appeal, the viability element was resolved with the Council, leaving the suitability of the mix to be determined by the Planning Inspectorate. Whilst the blend did not align with the Council’s requirements due to the higher proportion of smaller units, the Inspector determined that the site’s sustainable location within the town centre and the nature of the BTR development meant that the Council’s mix requirements could be applied more flexibly.
 The considerable benefits of the scheme, including the regeneration of the site through the high-quality design (designed by Formation Architects), the delivery of homes, including affordable housing, and the use of previously developed land, all weighed in favour of approving the development.
 Alice Moore, associate director in Boyer’s London office, said, “We are delighted to have achieved planning consent for this scheme, which will maintain retail use on Hounslow High Street while also providing much-needed housing and benefiting the vibrancy of the local area.”
 In achieving planning success, Boyer worked alongside Formation Architects (architecture), ULL Property (viability consultants), Lustre (air quality, drainage and noise), Heritage Collective (archaeology), Landscape Partnership (landscape), SJA Trees (arboriculture), Avison Young (daylight and sunlight), Odyssey (transport), CPW (energy), Thorncliffe (PR), Fire Risk Solutions (fire) and Constructive Evaluation Limited (contamination).Â
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