So what is happening in the old Barclays building in Willesden Green?

 

There has been some speculation about the fate of the former Barclays bank in Willesden Green, at 5 High Road. It has fine facade and stands almost opposite to the firmer Lloyds Bank, recently refused a licence for an adult gaming centre.

Permission was granted for the conversion of the former Barclay's Bank to commercial premises and six flats in August 2025. The flats involve a lot of internal changes plus a separate entrance.

 

The internal changes are most visible from the rear of the building:

 

The six residential units comprise 1 2 bed- 4 person, 4 1 bed - 2 person, 1 single person flat. A viability assessment was claimed to demonstrate that a payment in lieu of affordable accommodation would mean that the project could not go ahead. Because of the nature of the site Biological Net Gain did not apply.

The commercial premises is designated Class E and a drinking establishment or takeaway is ruled out.

Possibilities:    

Class E(a) - For the display of retail sale of goods, other than hot food, principally to visiting members of the public.

• Class E(b) - For the sale of food and drink principally to visiting members of the public where consumption of that food and drink is mostly undertaken on the premises.

• Class E(c) - For the provision of financial services, professional services or any other service appropriate to provide in a commercial, business or service locality where the service is principally to visiting members of the public.

• Class E(e) - For the provision of medical or health services principally to visiting members of the public.

• Class E(g) - For use as an office to carry out any operational or administrative function, research and development or any industrial process being a use which can be carried out in any residential area without detriment to the amenity of that area (ie what was previously classified as a light industrial use).

 

 If anyone hears about the future use, do let us know. 

Road closures and bus diversions in Wembley Park August 14,15, 16, 18 and 19

 Buses affected post event 18, 83, 92, 182, 206, 223, 224 and 483

Chair's casting vote ensures approval of controversial Wembley Hospital planning application

 

Proposed development of Wembley Hospital site, Chaplin Road

There has been much interest in how Labour has clung on to power in Brent following the local election result. The 'arrangement' reached with the Tories where they were recognised as the main opposition group, given chair positions on committees and the deputy mayorship was decisive but in the case of the ostensibly non-political Planning Committee rested with the Chair, Cllr Saqib Butt, brother of Labour leader Muhammed Butt, who has a casting vote in the event of a tied vote.

 This fell apart at a previous committee considering the Wembley Hospital planning application where an initial vote of approval, based on the chair's casting vote, was overturned when it was revealed that one approval vote was invalid as the councillor concerned had not been present for the whole meeting. This meant that the application was refused but officers moved quickly to suggest the item was deferred to a future meeting after officers had considered the validity of reasons for refusal.

The item was heard again this week and again there was a tied vote, with the chair using his casting vote for approval. Although the Planning Committee is 'non-political' Labour members voted for the application and Cllr Harshabhai Patel (Conservative). Cllr Michael Maurice (Conservative), Cllr Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam (Green) and Cllr Anton Georgiou (Liberal Democrat) voted against.

 Their reasons  they opposed approval followed similar lines and included the failure to meet affordable housing guidelines, concerns over parking overspill into nearby streets, loss of daylight and sunlight to neighbouring properties, density and lack of rigour in addressing potential problems of overheating.

Planning Officers confirmed this time that all the reasons given were valid in planning terms.

 

 

Preston Park Children's Playground closed due to safety risk to children

 Preston Park Children's Playground yesterday

Following concerns about the state of the children's playground in Preston Park and safety concerns LINK, Brent Council Parks Department yesterday decided to close the playground pending completion of repairs.

In a message to councillors the Head of the Parks Department wrote:

I am writing to make you aware that we have made the decision today to immediately close the children’s play area in Preston Park, due to safety concerns.

 

I appreciate that it is the summer holidays; however, the surfacing underneath almost all pieces of equipment has now deteriorated to such a condition that we consider it to be a risk for children using the space.  We do not take this decision lightly, but we have a responsibility to provide safe places for play.

 

We had identified some surfacing issues previously and had been obtaining quotes for their repair. Unfortunately, contractors have advised us that temporary repairs will not work and full scale resurfacing of the safety surface is needed. This is not something that can be undertaken immediately and we are therefore closing the playground today whilst we get quotes for the works.

 

The closest alternative children’s playgrounds can be found at Northwick Park, John Billam Open Space and Woodcock Park.

 The news comes after the local controversy over the proposals for a Multi Use Games Area on one of the park's tennis courts during which the state of the children's playground was raised and spending priorities questioned. 

 

Clearly the closure is not ideal during an especially hot summer school holiday and last night it was reported that the playground was still in use, but questions are being asked about how it was allowed to deteriorate to this extent, and how it managed to achieve Green Flag status given the situation.

 

Friends of Gladstone Park statement on plans for the Gladstone Centre

 The proposed Centre

 

The Gladstone Centre

 

There has been much discussion about plans for the development of the Gladstone Centre, which is still in Pre-planning stage.

Some people are for the new development, and some are against it. 

 

The Friends of Gladstone Park was formed to represent the views of all users of the park.

 

Therefore, following a vote, of the eligible trustees of the Friends of Gladstone Park, on the ongoing plans for the new Gladstone Centre development, we find that at this point we are neutral (neither for nor against). 

 

Below is a detailed statement of our position. 

 

 

There will be a public consultation in the future, at which everyone will be able to have their say. When the date is announced we will post it here.

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The Gladstone Centre

Statement 5 August 2026

 

Friends of Gladstone Park (FoGP) has been concerned about the Gladstone Centre for many years and have made requests on behalf of the community, to Brent Council to repair or rebuild it.

 

FoGP campaigned to get the centre reopened after it was closed during COVID. It became clear it needed considerable investment just to patch it up. Redevelopment or demolition were the realistic options. Brent Council was not willing to take it on. FoGP suggested a sports centre, but Brent Council was not in favour, citing other options nearby.

 

FoGP held public meetings and events where park users were asked what they would like to see happen to the building. These were the most common requests and FoGP maintains these goals for the new centre:

A community space of the same size as before
The community part of the building to have an independent entrance - and management.
Is available to the public every day including evenings and weekends
There is a cafe that is accessible to all
There are toilets that are reasonably accessible for park users
The visual aesthetics of the building must fit in with the environment
The size of the building to be confined to the existing footprint and never allowed to go above the treeline (at today’s height)
The building must be aesthetically pleasing and in keeping with a park environment.

FoGP again approached the council with our requests, but it was clear that the Council would not solely fund a community centre. The only concrete option that arose was the proposal from Willesden Green Surgery (WGS) to redevelop the building as their new surgery.

 

With no real alternatives on the table, FoGP felt the best course of action was to engage constructively with WGS and Brent Council, and to try to ensure that the design allowed for the requirements the community had asked for – as per the list above.

 

FoGP requested that the new building be built on the same footprint* as the existing centre and would ideally be only two storeys high. We understood that the Kilburn Cosmos Rugby Club, who have rented part of the Gladstone Centre building for many years, would be offered an alternative space in the Sports Pavilion, and the Pavilion café would be relocated into the new building.

 

*Friends of Gladstone Park Trustees, in line with the wishes of the park users, do not condone or support any reduction of open space in the park itself.

 

Plans have evolved, but FoGP has never wavered from pursuing the objectives that the park users originally requested. FoGP is conscious that we represent ALL park users and there are people for and against the development. At this stage the development is at the pre-planning stage and will need to go before the Planning Committee at Brent Council for approval. This will be in public so anyone who wishes to can have their say.

 

The Friends of Gladstone Park Trustees feel it is right to step back and let due process take its course.

 

FoGP is an apolitical group and Trustees who happen to be councillors do not have voting rights on matters related to Brent Council.

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Who are and what is the Friends of Gladstone Park (FoGP?

 

· FoGP is a group of ordinary local residents who care about the park and volunteered to act as a conduit between the park users and Brent Council.

The mission statement is to Protect, Preserve and Promote Gladstone Park

· The group has grown in 12 years from 6 to 13 in number, meeting once every few months

FoGP is an apolitical group and trustees who happen to be councillors do not have voting rights on matters related to Brent Council.

· To let people know the FoGP existed for everyone, public meetings, walks, talks and litter-picks are held during the summer months.

 

· The Gardening Group of volunteer gardeners was formed to maintain the Walled Garden, shortly followed by the Woodland Copse group. It was at that point Friends of Gladstone Park became a charity and the original regular volunteers became trustees. This meant we could accept donations for plants, seeds, compost, tools – and obtain public liability insurance. We have virtually no admin costs as everyone gives their time free of charge.

FoGP communicates regularly with the Parks Department at Brent Council. (It is worth noting that while Gladstone Park is one of the larger parks in the Borough, Brent has over 85 parks and open green spaces, and FoGP is just one of the groups who fiercely protect their local park.)
FoGP successfully campaigned for the public toilet near the Walled Garden and will continue to campaign for more toilets in the park
FoGP continues to lobby the council and campaign against motor bikes and other motorised vehicles
FoGP continues to campaign against littering in the park, support litter picking, lobby for more bins and other initiatives to combat the problem
FoGP continues to plant and maintain the Walled Garden and the Rose garden
FoGP continues to protect and maintain the Woodland Copse which is now a designated Local Nature Reserve
FoGP supported the campaign for the refurbishment of the lower children’s playground
FoGP continues to lobby the council to maintain the pond
FoGP continues to lobby for drinking fountains in the park
FoGP continues to lobby against commercialisation of the park
 
Gladstone Park is a beloved and necessary open space in a busy city, for families, walkers, runners, dog owners, sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, bird watchers, pond watchers. Our aim is to protect it.
 
FoGP represents ALL users of Gladstone Park

The People's Emergency Briefing + Panel Lexi Cinema 8.20pm Wednesday 19th August - Film & Panel Discussion on how to respond to the climate and nature emergency

 

 

Summer 2026 is making history in Europe for record heat, forest and heath fires, and crop failures. What better time to take a serious look at the National Emergency Briefing with other concerned citizens, back the case for a national screening on TV and discuss how to respond to the crisis.

  

The People's Emergency Briefing + Panel

 

Lexi Cinema 8.20pm Wednesday 19^th August

 

The screening will be followed by panel discussion led by Beninio McDonough-Tranza, Co-ordinator, Brent Green Party, featuring:

 

Councillor Marijn van de Geer, Green Party councillor for Ealing North Acton 

 

Paul Stephens, Protest Liaison spokeperson, Extinction Rebellion; former Met Police officer

This film sets out the National Emergency Briefing on the climate and nature emergency, given to MPs at Westminster by leading experts in November 2025.  It is now being screened in communities across the UK, bringing people together to hear the evidence on what the emergency means for our lives and our future, and to discuss how to respond.

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK YOUR SEAT/S BY CLICKING ON THE IMAGE BELOW:

 

 

Hidden Contributions: Black Workers Who Built Brent - are you one? Get in touch?

 

Kilburn High Road Festival July 31st to August 15th - creativity, culture, connection