tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post4372895570277209389..comments2024-03-28T19:20:52.408+00:00Comments on WEMBLEY MATTERS: FULL REPORT: Planning Committee votes to demolish 'beautiful' Altamira (1 Morland Gardens) - Chair votes AgainstUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-75365778200728116082021-06-02T18:07:46.615+01:002021-06-02T18:07:46.615+01:00Fast forward to minute 22 of the latest Love Your ...Fast forward to minute 22 of the latest Love Your London out this week, in which they talk about the Altamira and the shocking decision to demolish it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHIsFIujbN0Tristán Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17523371795858283308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-85559021554962391622020-08-19T02:06:22.491+01:002020-08-19T02:06:22.491+01:00I spoke to Stonebridge Councilors regards 1 Morela...I spoke to Stonebridge Councilors regards 1 Moreland Gardens they told me that they are not happy with the Planning committee decision.<br />I agree the height of proposal building is out of the character. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-2811094104020664672020-08-16T18:23:00.336+01:002020-08-16T18:23:00.336+01:00Are you crazy. This is a building which is part o...Are you crazy. This is a building which is part of our heritage. More ugly cheap flats built which will probably be demolished in 30 years<br />hilarynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-81685070773487138652020-08-16T16:23:48.411+01:002020-08-16T16:23:48.411+01:00An answer to 'More heritage buildings deleted ...An answer to 'More heritage buildings deleted from history. Why?'<br /><br />Because Brent Council and its top Planning Officers have no respect for the Heritage Assets planning policy that was adopted by our elected councillors in November 2016, after extensive public consultation on its Development Management Plan.Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-15129753841711931472020-08-15T21:53:59.587+01:002020-08-15T21:53:59.587+01:00This decision is a disgrace. While many others hav...This decision is a disgrace. While many others have been torn down,it has always been decided to keep and maintain this building. Why suddenly now does it have nothing to offer the community and neighbourhood, <br /><br />Anyone who thinks 65 bland flats would be better for Brent is a total idiot in my book.<br /><br />50,000 people a day getting a glimpse of our history and a few seconds to think about it cannot be underestimated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-77691939775310464712020-08-15T14:59:48.284+01:002020-08-15T14:59:48.284+01:00More heritage buildings deleted from history. Why?...More heritage buildings deleted from history. Why?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-83615453280435762082020-08-15T09:52:37.996+01:002020-08-15T09:52:37.996+01:00Unknown (13 August at 15:30) said 'Surely this...Unknown (13 August at 15:30) said 'Surely this is a listed building.' <br /><br />It is a "locally listed" building, rather than a building on Historic England's list. <br /><br />Stonebridge has two Grade II listed buildings, the former Stonebridge Park Hotel (now Bridge Park public house), also designed by H.E. Kendall as part of his Stonebridge Park development in the 1870s, and Stonebridge School (late 1890s).<br /><br />You were right that it has lost two other buildings, the Coach & Horses and the Orange Tree, that either were, or should have been, on Brent's local list.<br /><br />"Locally listed" buildings do not have the extra protection given to them by national planning laws, but they do deserve the protection of the planning policies adopted by local councils for heritage assets in their area, such as Brent's policy DMP7.<br /><br />Apart from "Altamira" (the original name for 1 Morland Gardens), the only other locally listed building in Stonebridge Ward is the Canal Cottage in Twyford Abbey Road. Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-64295731616754558192020-08-14T13:05:36.213+01:002020-08-14T13:05:36.213+01:00Appears to be the same planning committee members ...Appears to be the same planning committee members that approved in March the planning application (again submittted by Brent) for 250 flats on Wembley High Rd and Cecil Avenue (application 19/2891 and see http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=115&MeetingId=5415).<br /><br />While I am all for redevelopment and more affordable homes for locals, these have to be achieved and balanced with quality of life factors and thought for the local architecture and environment. The scale of the Wembley building, which is essentially a mass slab of bricks facing the High Road, will blight the area for many years to come. This is not development nor progress. Have these committee members had any proper training to make such important decisions? Clearly not. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-12340316801129768262020-08-14T11:56:28.319+01:002020-08-14T11:56:28.319+01:00To anonymous who asked whether any Willesden Green...To anonymous who asked whether any Willesden Green councillors voted in favour. <br /><br />Yes - Elliot Chappell - the person Mo Butt put on this committee when he kicked off Cllr Abdi in 2018 for voting against applications that didn't comply with planning policies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-54882382789225629062020-08-13T20:10:01.399+01:002020-08-13T20:10:01.399+01:00While I agree with the sentiment of many of the co...While I agree with the sentiment of many of the comments so far, can I just make a couple of points that some of the above have missed.<br /><br />1) This was not an application by a private developer, this application was by Brent Council itself (the same Council that published a Historic Environment Place-making Strategy document last May including the "Valuing Brent's Heritage" statement pictured in Martin's blog above).<br /><br />2) Under the Council's proposals, all of the 65 homes would be for affordable rent, not for sale.<br /><br />The Stonebridge Ward councillor who spoke at the meeting said that there should be further discussions, to see whether a better way than these (now approved) proposals can be found, that would allow the Victorian villa to be retained. <br /><br />I suggested possible better ways more than five months ago. If the existing building cannot be redesigned to provide a suitable "state of the art" new college facility, why not plan for a new college as part of another brown-field site redevelopment project locally, such as the Uni-Sys site? <br /><br />The staff at Brent Start may have to wait a couple of years longer for the college they desire, but it would save the cost of moving the college out of 1 Morland Gardens, into temporary accommodation for at least 2 years, and then back again. That cost is currently estimated at £1.5 million.<br /><br />Under my suggestion, once the college had been moved out to its new home, still in Stonebridge, and local for many of its students, there could be a sympathetic redevelopment of the Victorian villa (similar to the one at 2 Morland Gardens in the early 2000s, which produced 18 homes). <br /><br />The number of new homes that "the Altamira" could provide would depend on the size of the units, more family homes, fewer total number of units. Or it could be a mixed development of some homes and some community facilities - let local people and local councillors help to decide on what it should be.<br /><br />Think again Brent Council - the heritage building and local community deserve better than the misguided (but originally well-intended?) scheme that Council Officers have served up and pushed through.<br /><br />If you agree with me, and you live in Brent, please email your local councillors and say so. They are the ones who can make a difference now.Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-82470962131406845542020-08-13T19:28:06.882+01:002020-08-13T19:28:06.882+01:00You want to knock it down to build shitty and over...You want to knock it down to build shitty and overpriced flats, which will bring more people into an high crime neighbourhood causing crime to rise more. You council are destroying everything and robbing us. Increasing our council tax yet you do nothing to improve the area plus renovation work is done to a cheap and poor standard. How can you charge £1,500 pm for a 1 bedroom flat in a high crime neighbourhood? Do not destroy that landmark.Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08975977329976802945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-50121127498399595202020-08-13T18:52:04.802+01:002020-08-13T18:52:04.802+01:00What an absolute disgrace!!!!!
Any decent and eth...What an absolute disgrace!!!!!<br /><br />Any decent and ethically mined developer and their appointed architects would have been determined to include the existing and beautiful Altamira building in the new development, they would have made a feature of it - why are Brent determined to give approval of this demolish all historic buildings in the borough???<br /><br />Another sterile boring tower block will be built and further character will be lost. <br /><br />Residents deserve more:<br />- they deserve a real say in planning issues, <br />- they they to have elected councillors who will stand up and be counted <br />- they deserve a Council that values historic buildings.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-70616714846928022172020-08-13T18:32:32.853+01:002020-08-13T18:32:32.853+01:00Terrible lost of history!Terrible lost of history!Concernedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388682627608206311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-44072649682027300172020-08-13T15:30:21.108+01:002020-08-13T15:30:21.108+01:00This surely is a listed building . how many listed...This surely is a listed building . how many listed buildings have been demolished i.e. Orange Tree Coach and horsesAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02745149487107423490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-90649466206695329982020-08-13T14:25:22.507+01:002020-08-13T14:25:22.507+01:00So ... 366 people petitioned against this and 3 in...So ... 366 people petitioned against this and 3 in support?!! Surely this should not have been decided by a Planning Committee of 8 members (ie local Councillors elected by local residents who they have clearly disconnected from & disrespect the views of aforesaid petitioners) and some of whom clearly haven't done their homework, obviously have no idea about heritage & don't seem to realise that integrating historic buildings within urban/housing regeneration schemes can create succesful characterful areas where people actually enjoy living, working, studying and visiting if designed properly and sympathetically to the building in question.<br />Check out Historic England's excellent publication<br />'Heritage Works: The use of historic buildings in regeneration'. All Planning Committee members should have read this beforehand - it might have given them food for thought - that whilst yes, we do need the housing, we can have an aesthetically pleasing development (given the right architect) rather than the bland eyesore being proposed.<br /><br />We are lucky to have these two Italianate Villas in Brent given that H E Kendall employed such a variety of architectural styles in buildings such as St. John the Evangelist (Kensal Green), Christ Church - Cockfosters, Pope's Villa - Richmond, Shuckburgh Hall - Northants & the remodelling of Knebworth House to name but a few.<br /><br />I despair of Brent Council, I really do. If Westminster Abbey were located in Brent, it would be a drive through MacDonalds by now. Enough said.<br />BIG mistake to demolish Altamira House in my view. Brent Planning Committee should take a look at the old Harrow cottage hospital on Roxeth Hill which was wonderfully restored and incorporated into the new housing development. Michael Maurice is right when he talks of retaining 'the shell of the Altamira building'. Lloyds of London retained the original facade of their old building and made it part of the current modern one. There are lots of other examples in London and up & down the country. Sure, there have been some fails - but it can be achieved. However we need the RIGHT people with the RIGHT vision to take it forward and come up with something that doesn't warrant more objections and petitions and just makes everyone happy. Something to be proud of. Not much of that right now in Brent (in my view of course!) <br /><br />As for those Councillors who didn't speak during the meeting and then voted in favour of the proposal, well should they really be on that Committee & are they knowledgeable enough re historical heritage & qualified to be voting on important decisions which will affect that environment and well being of residents in years to come & not giving their reasons for doing so?<br /><br />Rant over!<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-51849442825492622142020-08-13T13:58:47.414+01:002020-08-13T13:58:47.414+01:00Can somebody please advise if any Cllrs for the wa...Can somebody please advise if any Cllrs for the ward of Willesden Green voted in favour? If yes, I will not vote for them at next year's local elections. If somebody could publish a list of names, wards and how they voted, that would be great. Thanks. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-21452693053860340682020-08-13T13:53:21.173+01:002020-08-13T13:53:21.173+01:00Great news that this new building has been approve...Great news that this new building has been approved, for the benefit of Stonebridge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-32616537549867935452020-08-13T11:58:42.193+01:002020-08-13T11:58:42.193+01:00As well as one Labour councillor writing of the de...As well as one Labour councillor writing of the decision: 'I am more ashamed than ever', another Labour councillor, and former Planning Committee member, has written to me to say: 'Such a shame about the planning permission. I’m really saddened...'<br /><br />I am sure that they are not the only Brent councillors who believe that this Council Officer devised scheme, involving the demolition of a locally listed heritage building in direct contravention of Brent's own adopted planning policies, is a mistake.<br /><br />I will comment further on that later, but just because planning permission has been approved, it does not mean that the Council actually has to go ahead with this scheme.<br /><br />Cllr. Aden, speaking on behalf of the three Stonebridge Ward councillors, said that he felt there should be further discussions, to see whether there is a better way of providing the new college that the Council Officer speaking as applicant saw as the main reason for the scheme. <br /><br />There is another way, and I hope that interested councillors will press for that to be explored, before any further steps are taken on this ill-conceived scheme.Philip Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08216646114377430489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2129943063330427887.post-80084580382861097082020-08-13T09:08:35.212+01:002020-08-13T09:08:35.212+01:00Yet more cultural vandalism executed during the Lo...Yet more cultural vandalism executed during the London borough of Culture. Seems as if LBOC is just a superficial, Philisinian, narcassistic, vanity exercise, devoid of any genuine integrity. Just another characterless nail in the Borough's future aspect.claremountieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11392927701817762687noreply@blogger.com