A Revolution in Neasden? Brent Cabinet to decide next week.

 The Lighthouse

Wednesday's meeting of Brent Cabinet will be asked to support a proposal to tackle the long term problems of Neasden Town Centre, often known as Neasden Shopping Precinct through the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme.

They are asked to:

Approve up to £7.4m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy capital funding to deliver public realm and highways infrastructure improvements in and around Neasden Town Centre.

 

Note a range of contracts for consultants and contractors will be required to design, plan and develop the proposed public realm, community programming and highways improvements for the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme.

 

Note and endorse the proposed installation of a temporary building for community use on top of the council-owned car park next to 237 Neasden Lane, subject to obtaining any planning permission, and any other statutory consents.

 

The proposal will aslo utilise a GLA Civic Partnership Programme grant of £3.1m the key aims of which are to:

Strengthen representation and authorship in physical regeneration

Delivering projects for and with the communities they serve, with a focus on local network capacity building and agency.

 

Expand the public realm

Creating open, high quality, connected and inclusive public spaces with good social and cultural infrastructure managed by cross-sector partners.

 

Address the climate and ecological emergencies

Strengthening London's climate resilience and tackling environmental inequalities.

 

Changes to the Eastern Gyratory, a longer term project, is by far the most costly part of the Programme.

1)    Public Realm – Wayfinding for Neasden Town Centre and route to Neasden Underground Station and Neasden Stations Growth Area, with new signage, lighting, landscaping, public art; Green infrastructure for Neasden Town Centre: sustainable urban drainage system, pocket forest trees and low-level planting.

2)    Community Programming – Meanwhile Lighthouse : demountable two storey metal structure with access stairs and tower signage, internal first floor fit out, for workspace and community uses, installed on top of LBB- owned car park.

3)     Eastern Gyratory – reconfiguration, new access road, pavement, crossings, lighting and street furniture, to define and open up the gateway to Neasden Town Centre, improve access to The Grange open space, improve the route to Neasden Underground Station and Neasden Stations Growth Area.

 

Cllr Leader Muhammed Butt, now also the Lead Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning writes a Lead Member Foreword to the Report:

Neasden Town Centre has struggled with the legacy of major highways infrastructure interventions, and more recently in responding to the impacts of the pandemic and cost of living crisis. To support Neasden’s growth and vitality, Brent Council designated it as one of our Priority Town Centres and since that time a number of studies have been delivered to identify ways to improve connectivity, accessibility, and safety within the area. Brent Council working with the Mayor of London engaged local residents, businesses and communities to develop the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan, which sets an ambitious vision to put Neasden Town Centre back on the map. Additional investment is now required to unlock Neasden's potential and deliver meaningful change that stands the test of time

 

With the upcoming development planned for the Neasden Stations Growth Area, it is essential that we put the right level of infrastructure in place so that new and existing communities alike can benefit from this regeneration and growth. Infrastructure to improve connectivity, accessibility, safety, community cohesion and to tackle the climate emergency are long welcomed by all. Neasden won’t be left behind because of the mistakes made in the past.

 

Brent Council is unashamedly pro-growth, and alongside other councils we’ve also continued to call for the infrastructure necessary for the West London Orbital railway to stop at Neasden. But as with any change, we must ensure our diverse residents, businesses and communities can participate and share in the benefits of growth. Young people in particular need more support. Gang activities remain troublingly prevalent in the Neasden area and have impacted residents for far too long. Initiatives that can help young people engage and connect to better opportunities will be fundamental to a brighter future for all of our communities. Where we put back pride in an entire  neighbourhood, we hope only good things can follow.

 

The Neasden Civic Partnership Programme will re-establish the socioeconomic and environmental links that have been lost between the historic town centre and its local communities, in order that both existing and new communities will find in Neasden a place where everyone can belong and thrive.

 

This will take time, but this council is determined to see this change through.

 

Can Neasden, the butt of many a Private Eye joke recover some pride,  dignity and success?

 Below are extracts from the 169 page Action Plan whuch you can find HERE:

 

1. The Ritz Urban Rooms and Kitchen

2. A Moveable Feast

3. Neasden Market

4. The Lighthouse

5. Visual Identity and Wayfaring

MEDIUM TERM PROPOSALS

 LONGER TERM PROPOSALS

Before much of this goes ahead there are issues to be dealt with as shown in the Risk Assessment: