Hundreds of homes plan sparks fears of 100 daily toxic‑waste lorries on Harrow Road
St William’s 789‑home scheme on the former Kensal Gasworks could see up to 100 waste‑laden trucks each day, prompting health‑impact worries from Brent councillors and local campaigners
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The partnership of Berkeley Group and National Grid, operating under the name St William, lodged a planning application on 25 July 2025 for 789 new homes on the former Kensal Gasworks site. The proposal covers the area previously occupied by gasometers and is slated for a 10‑12‑year construction timetable.
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The Keep Kensal Green campaign, which opposed a separate Ballymore development, now focuses on the St William scheme. Campaigner Jude Allen told MyLondon that the remediation works will require more than 100 lorries each day to transport contaminated soil along Harrow Road, a major arterial route that runs through the Borough of Brent and parts of Harrow.
"Toxic waste will be taken along Harrow Road in 100 lorries a day"
Jude Allen, Keep Kensal Green campaigner
Allen said the lorries will travel to a designated "soil hospital" where the waste will be stored before final disposal. The campaign argues that the traffic will expose nearby residents to airborne chemicals such as benzene, cyanide and asbestos, potentially causing short‑term symptoms like headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation.
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Council responses
Kensington and Chelsea Council, the authority responsible for the planning decision, stated that the application had been examined in line with the Environment Agency's Land Contamination Risk Management guidance. A spokesperson said the council had imposed a suite of planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement to secure mitigation measures.
Councillor Barbara Want, a Liberal Democrat representing a Brent ward, told MyLondon that health‑impact fears dominate local opposition. "There are lots of different reasons that people might want to reject this application, but the one thing that stands out is the fear of the health impact," she said. She noted that the waste will pass through Brent, prompting her to raise the issue with the planning authority.
The developers have not provided a comment to MyLondon. The planning committee has not yet taken a final vote, and the application remains under review. Residents of Harrow and Brent who are concerned about traffic and air quality can submit comments to the council during the statutory consultation period, which closes on 30 November 2026.
What happens next
If the committee grants permission, the Section 106 agreement will detail the exact mitigation steps, including traffic management and monitoring of air quality. Should objections persist, campaigners have indicated they will fund legal action once the decision is published. Harrow Council has not issued a formal position but will monitor any impact on its road network.
Questions this report answers
+What does the planning application propose?
The application seeks permission for 789 homes on the former Kensal Gasworks site. It was submitted on 25 July 2025 by St William, a partnership of Berkeley Group and National Grid, and envisages a 10‑12‑year construction period.
+How many lorries are expected to transport waste each day?
Campaigners claim the remediation will involve more than 100 lorries per day moving contaminated soil along Harrow Road. The figure applies to the entire construction phase, which could last up to 12 years.
+What health concerns have been raised?
Local campaigners and Councillor Barbara Want warn that airborne toxins such as benzene, cyanide and asbestos could affect nearby residents, causing headaches, nausea, eye irritation and respiratory problems during the remediation works.
+What are the next steps for the application?
The planning committee will consider the application and any submitted objections before voting. If approved, a Section 106 agreement will set out mitigation measures. Opponents plan to fund legal action after the decision is announced.
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