This is the written reply to Gaynor Lloyd's question regarding the futire of open space in Northwick Park in the light of the One Public Estate Plans for redevelopment. She is allowed a supplementary question if she attends tonight's Council Meeeting. The meeting can be viewed on-line live HERE (if the broadcast does not go wrong again). Towards the end of the meeting there is a potentially controversial (and poorly formulated) motion reaffirming Brent Council support for the IHRA definition of anti-semitism which doesn't actually mention adopting the examples.
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Question
from Mrs Elizabeth Gaynor Lloyd to Cllr Margaret McLennan, Deputy Leader of the
Council:
In the
light of (1) the change in Cabinet member responsibility since the assurance
given by Councillor Tatler at the Cabinet meeting in August that the Metropolitan
Open Land/ open space at Northwick Park was safe, and (2) her comments to the
Harrow Times that all proposals will be made in consultation with residents
which is scheduled for the coming months, and (3) the fact that a Transport
Viability study was carried out almost a year ago indicating the possibility of
an access road through the Ducker pool area or the golf course or the Fairway
(all of which would involve a road across Metropolitan Open Land), can the
Cabinet Member now vested with responsibility for this project please either
confirm that these access road proposals have been abandoned or, if not, please
publish a simple indication of the rough alternative routes for the access road
to the Northwick Park Regeneration area proposed?
If the open
space is safe, can the Cabinet member also confirm that there will be no
development on the SINC Grade 1 Northwick park & the Ducker Pool B103 area
and open space protected under CP18, and that these areas will be fully
protected so that their value is not prejudiced by the adjoining/nearby
development?
Response:
Peter
Brett Associates (transport and infrastructure consultants) have been engaged
by the four landowners under the One Public Estate Initiative to work alongside
other consultants, to assess the transportation issues that affect the
Northwick Park site and its surroundings.
Part of
this study included access to the site. A number of options were considered by
Peter Brett, with advantages and disadvantages of each given careful
consideration. The format and details of future public consultation has yet to
be agreed, but this is likely to include access options for discussion and
feedback.
The
February 2018 Cabinet paper, updating members of progress at Northwick Park,
confirms current proposals consider a possible “land swap” of Metropolitan Open
Space, subject to the necessary consents. In broad terms this would involve
swapping the area currently occupied by the sports pavilion and car park, with
an equivalent area immediately to the south of Northwick Park station.
(Para
4.7 Appendix One of February 2018 cabinet report):
“....
include the smaller MOL swap involving the existing pavilion area and the area
immediately to the south of Northwick Park station.”
This too
would form part of any public consultation.
Mrs
Lloyd may be reassured by para 3.2 and 3.3 of the same report, which stated:
3.2 All
of the Council freehold ownership, and the Ducker Pond, is designated as
Metropolitan Open Land (‘MOL’). This effectively affords it the same planning
status as Green Belt, where development for uses other than those deemed
appropriate for the Green Belt will be refused unless there are exceptional
circumstances. The same land area is also designated as local open space.
3.3 The
Ducker Pond area is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation
Grade I, being of high biodiversity value. This designation extends to part of
the Playgolf site, particularly the hedged area at the boundary. Part of the
site also forms a section of the Capital Ring public walkway. Policy seeks to
preserve and enhance the habitats in these areas.
Full Council – 17 September 2018 Motion selected by the Conservative Group
With anti-Semitic hate crimes rising across London and the United Kingdom – this Council expresses that it is appalled at the increase in anti-Semitic Hate Crimes, and reiterates its support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism.
This Council is shocked at the recent spate of anti-Semitic posters that have been going up across TfL run bus stops, and it is further shocked at the recent comments by those who have described the recent condemnation of anti-Semitic language and behaviour as a ‘Zionist’ movement – using anti-Semitic language and imagery in campaigning and online, further enflaming anti-Semitic hatred across the Borough.
This Council will immediately adopt, into its councillor and public workers code of conduct, the full and complete IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, and implement policies to ensure that hate crimes against Jewish people are acted upon quickly and decisively.
Councillor Michael Maurice Kenton Ward
