The Metropolitan Police is reportedly threatening to block supermarket giant Asda’s major redevelopment plans in Park Royal, raising concerns about public safety and increased pressure on local policing.
According to The Telegraph, the Met says “hundreds of thousands” of pounds in developer contributions are needed to help manage the anticipated influx of new residents and maintain community safety. It warned: “Without the necessary contribution to meet police needs there is a formal objection to the development.”
Last May, Asda announced plans to transform its long-standing Park Royal site – where it has operated for over 40 years – into a major mixed-use development featuring a new superstore, a town centre, and up to 1,500 homes in apartment blocks reaching up to 35 storeys, in partnership with property developer Barratt London.
In its latest consultation, Asda revealed: “These proposals seek to provide a new town centre for Park Royal through the delivery of, a new, flagship Asda superstore (c. 80,000 sq ft) with car parking, c. 1,500 new homes, including affordable housing in a range of tenures, including Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent. These proposals also seek to deliver an additional 20,000 sq ft of commercial and community spaces, and c. 255,000 sq ft of landscaped public realm and green space.”
Asda has said it intends to seek planning permission in late spring/early summer.
Asda had indicated that around 500 or a third of the homes planned will be offered as affordable housing. While there are also plans for a car park of around 400 spaces for Asda shoppers, there won’t be any parking for residents at the development which is across the road from Central Middlesex Hospital.
But the Met, via the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, has warned that the scale of the project could put “unacceptable” pressure on police resources.
The police are asking for a share of developer contributions usually allocated for local infrastructure. They’ve also requested a 1,600 sq ft base in a “highly visible location,” nearby parking and an additional £310,000 to support wider policing infrastructure.
Jonathan Boulton, head of estate and strategy and engagement for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime said in a letter to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC): “Without the necessary contribution the development will be unacceptable in planning terms and permission should not be granted. The lack of capacity in existing infrastructure to accommodate the population growth and associated demands occasioned by the development means that it is necessary for the developer of the site to provide a contribution so the situation might be remedied.”
He added: “Without the necessary contribution to meet police needs there is a formal objection to the development on sustainability grounds and because the development is unacceptable without the necessary contribution.”
Asda and Barratt London have been contacted for comment.
