Brent Council approved several new housing developments this week, despite opposition from those living nearby.

The planning committee passed four separate applications, which will provide 37 new homes across the borough.

There was opposition to three developments, with neighbours voicing concerns about issues such as parking, increased anti-social behaviour and fire risks.

But developers and planning officers, in all cases, noted the demand for more housing – particularly “much needed” affordable housing – in Brent.

Cllr James Denselow, chairing the planning committee, said: “I think we need to be aware of the scale of the challenge we are facing.

“We get where people are coming from – there needs to be a balance between affordable housing and the inevitable impact it will have on the surrounding area.”

A set of garages in Kings Drive, Wembley, will make way for four new affordable bungalows despite opposition from current residents on the road.

The developing agent argued that the site is “underutilised” and insisted that there would be “no loss of parking”.

But neighbours pointed out the reduced access for emergency vehicles and said the proximity of the new homes represents a “fire risk”.

Cllr Michael Maurice said there was “more to this application than meets the eye” and suggested a site visit.

But under assurance from officers that the application “adheres to policy”, the committee pushed it through.

Fears over a new parking set up – and the loss of “safe” green space – emerged over a development in Stonebridge Park.

Again, all units – two two-bed homes and three three-bed homes – will be affordable, with three houses offered to families.

The committee decided that this need to tackle the “chronic shortage” of affordable housing was too pressing and was satisfied that the area would not be significantly damaged.

The third development, in Ealing Road, Wembley, was dominated by complaints from those living in neighbouring Carlyon Close.

As part of the development, which will create 20 new homes, their road will be accessible to cyclists and pedestrians.

They argued that, by opening up their road, there was an increased risk of anti-social behaviour and inevitable parking problems.

But officers said they intend to introduce a controlled parking zone to alleviate this and have offered residents three years’ worth of free membership to a car club.

They also pointed out that 20 per cent of the homes will be affordable and concerns over the sites construction have been fully addressed.

There were no issues over eight new flats in a four-storey block in Sudbury Court Road, Harrow, which will replace the existing two-storey building.

Cllr Shama Tatler, responsible for planning at Brent Council, said: “The new target we’ve been given to build nearly 3,000 new homes each year goes to show how much our population is growing, and how much we need new homes, particularly ones that are affordable, which is why I welcome the committee’s decisions.”