North London property 'being bought up by developer so people leave' amid £41m hotel apartment plan

Residents have raised concerns about plans to build a huge new £41m complex of short stay apartments in North London over fears the group behind it is buying properties and 'forcing neighbours to leave' the area. First proposed this time last year, the scheme, which would see the demolition of the existing hotel and church in Wembley Hill to make way for the 318-room development, will be decided on this week.

Developers London Wembley Ltd submitted plans to redevelop the site at the corner of Elm Road and St Johns Road last November. If approved, it would see the construction of the ten-storey 'aparthotel', alongside a 'flexible community floorspace'. Situated parallel to Wembley's high street, the site is less than 200m from Wembley Central Station.

The aparthotel - a set of apartments where guests can stay for a short time and which has hotel amenities - would replace the Euro Hotel on Elm Road and the Spiritualist Church on St Johns Road following demolition. The application also reveals plans for a ground-floor café, with the rooms spread across the part six, part eight, and part ten-storey building.

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The redevelopment would form part of the Wembley Masterplan, which proposes for Wembley to become a key contributor to the London economy and the heart of Brent - including delivering 10,000 new homes by 2030.

According to developers, the objective of the project is to 'provide high quality apartment hotel provision' whilst 'maximising the efficiency of the site'. They claim the £41m car-free redevelopment will generate 'more local job opportunities, increased footfall and increased spend for existing businesses'.

Documents submitted by the developer describe the current two-star hotel as 'outdated and tired', as well as lacking a 'sense of arrival or place'. They claim the new scheme would create a 'development respectful to the area' and 'redefine the nature and appearance of the site'.

However, the proposal has received a backlash from some local residents who claim the hotel group are treating street corners 'like a dumping area for rubbish' and have purchased homes in the area when they come up for sale, forcing 'good neighbours to leave'.

The application has more than 20 objections against it, with many querying the need for a large hotel 'in the middle of a residential area'. Others remain unconvinced that the development will improve the community.

One resident wrote: "There is little doubt that this is an over ambitious and excessive commercial development within a traditional terraced living population. Besides this, we anticipate frequent antisocial activities from late night parties with alcohol and drugs at this venue, which can create a huge impact on our sleep and peaceful living at our residences."

The plan is set to be reviewed by Brent Council's Planning Committee on Wednesday (November 13).

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