Cllr Kathleen Fraser (Independent, Chalkhill ward) speaks to the Planning Committee
There were some carefully considered contributions to Brent Planning Committee last night when a Metropolitan Housing Trust application for 61 new homes on the Chalkhill Estate was discussed. New blocks of up to 5 storeys will replace garages and car parking space on the 'Science Blocks' area.
Contributors recognised the need for more social housing and were pleased that ALL the new homes will be at social rent. A rare occurence in Brent!
However, there were some downsides. Mariana, from the most affected block, Einstein House, made a detailed case that a three storey block, replacing one storey garages, would impact on the amount of daylight residents received and were too close, well causing Einstein flats to be overlooked from the balconies of the new block. Various mitigation measures were discussd, including screening of windows, tree planting etc. None of the proposals seemed to fully answer the problem.
Cllr Kathleen Fraser, (Independent Chalkhill ward) whilst advocating the case for more social housing, recognised the disruption that would occur to residents and listed their concerns in full. She wanted assurances that existing residents would be fully involved and consulted as the demolition and new build took place.
There was concern that a CPZ would land hard-pressed low income residents with further charges.
An issue that emerged during the discussion was a lack of confidence in Metropolitan Thames Valley's management of the estate including management, maintenance, waste, safety, anti-social behaviour and issues such as abandoned cars dumped in estate car parks. Metropolitan Housing Trust is separate from the daily managment and were not ble to answer fully. Brent Council will need to be in close touch with residents, councillors and Metropolitan when the work gets underway.
The Planning Committee unanimously approved the application.
6 comments:
B~ent's Planning Committee isn't corrupt
Cllr Kathleen Fraser (Independent, Chalkhill ward) Was elected Labour, what happened?
Labour Party is so gentrified they don’t allow working class like Kath who repped Chalkhall long before being Labour
Cllr Fraser was suspended by the Labour Party in June 2025 and removed from her position as Deputy Mayor. This is what I wrote at the time: 'Labour sources are unable to give further details of the reason for Cllr Fraser's adminstrative suspension as the investigation is ongoing and confidential to Cllr Fraser herself and the Labour Group.' The investigation has been 'ongoing' ever since for more than 6 months leaving her in limbo. It meant that she was unable to apply for selection by the Labour Party as a candidate for the May 2026 local election.
This Planning Committee is not representative of Brent residents, the majority are either the Leaders close family, or Labour YIMBYs who wear red trump style hats stating: Build Baby Build, and they are all under the thumb of Towerblock Tatler who has made the vast majority of Brent's new housing unafordable to normal residents, those that are nearly affordable are so very small and shoddy. What a mess.
Labour Tower Lords
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