The Bush Farm Collective has appealed on Facebook for people to support its planning application for the siting of two shipping containers on the site to contain materials for the restoration The area where they would be installed is outlined in red on the site map below. The barn is next to the site labelled Riding School:
This is Bush Farm Collective's Appeal:
BUSH FARM URGENTLY NEEDS YOUR HELP!
As you are aware we will be renovating our barn we've put in a planning application to have storage containers on site for a maximum of 5 years which is essential to do the works and before our full renovations planning application.
Brent wants people's views on this so please go to https://www.brent.gov.uk/.../viewing-or-commenting-on... (you will have to register if you haven't already) the only thing you need to enter is 25/0734 you will then add a wonderful comment about how beneficial everything is etc and click SUPPORT.
I can not explain how vital this is, please please please share with your contacts for those that don't know bush farm collective is a grassroots community project with a dilapidated 400 year old barn the BFC team have worked endlessly to raise money to save it and bring it back to life to provide much needed education and well-being to all. feel free to view our instagram @bushfarmcollective or email bushfarmcollective@gmail.com with any enquiries.
The planning statement gives the cost of renovation as up to £2m.
At present there are 19 support submissions on the Brent Planning Portal and 11 objections. Only 7 local addresses were sent notice of the application. Some of the support submissions are from outside of Brent.
The Comments include this statement of support from the Brent Head of Property
There is a submission from a Trustee of the Barn Hill Conservation Group that looks after Fryent Country Park, writing in a personal capacity:
I am a long time resident in Kingsbury, a regular volunteer with Barn Hill Conservation Group BHCG and a trustee of BHCG charity. However, I write in a personal capacity.
The proposed redevelopment of the stables barn is a difficult, complex task. The stables with horses are a much loved feature of Fryent Country Park. The applicant has a very difficult task with limited resources. The proposal is an essential step along the way and has my full support.
An opposing view is put by a near neighbour:
Firstly, I believe granting permission for two storage containers would exacerbate the derelict site the area has become over the past few years, along with the large horse transporter that is used as a mobile home. Moreover, I question the necessity of such large containers for such a long period, especially considering that the barn's reconstruction is due to commence later this year. While I strongly support the barn's refurbishment, the requirement for these containers raises concerns about the timeline for its completion.
In reference to the letter of support submitted by the 'Head of Property' at Brent Council, it's evident that the council is merely pleased that someone else is taking on the responsibility of rebuilding the derelict barn, rather than have to address the issue themselves. They base their trust on a business plan filled with whimsical ideologies, disregarding the potential impact on local residents. The site is not a riding school, there has been no involvement with local schools, and community engagement is minimal at best. My back garden backs onto one of the paddocks, and I have three young children. This portal is the first time I've heard of the educational workshops purported in the business model. Perhaps we don't fit within the definition of 'local community'?
We have attended two events hosted by Bush Farm Collective, one of which we left due to the explicitly inappropriate music being played. Has anyone at Brent Council investigated the authenticity of the claims made in Bush Farm Collective's business proposal?
The 'Brent Council Head of Property' also stated, "Without intervention, the building will continue to deteriorate and may eventually be lost for community use." However, to my knowledge, the barn and 'riding school' have not been available for community use in the nine years we have lived here.
Currently, the area appears to be used as a personal party hub for BFC, with loud gatherings, music, dogs barking, and general noise disrupting the normally peaceful surroundings. Granting planning permission would only allow this free run of the land to continue, making it an impossible environment for us who live within it.
A supporting statement from outside the area gives a different view of the Bush Farm Collective's activities;
I am writing in support of the planning application for temporary storage at the paddocks and barn at Fryent Country Park. I have taken part in conservation activities with the Bush Farm Collective (BFC), planting hedges, and improving the land for wildlife. I have also attended and volunteered at the community events organised by the BFC in collaboration with the local community. I have witnessed the hard work and dedication the BFC put into these events. I see how much they benefit the local community members who engage with the group, attend events and get involved with activities. I am also aware of the important work the collective do to support volunteers and children with outdoor activities, that are so important for mental health and general well-being.
A further objection contains some points not covered above;
As a daily user of Fryent Country Park and a local resident I was deeply concerned to hear, only two days ago, that this planning application had been submitted several weeks ago. There are no notices on the barn itself, the two noticeboards, the gate or nearby lamp-posts to alert the community around the park. Nor has anyone from the 'Bush Farm Collective' made any attempt to speak to park users or neighbours about their plans. As word of mouth has spread over the past few days, it is apparent that nobody was aware of these plans.
The 'business plan', for which this is supposedly the first step, would not stand up to scrutiny on any level. Quite apart from the substantial change of purpose for what is, and always has been, a community recreational facility with a small area of grazing land and pasture which is leased for private use, the information provided is riddled with inaccuracy throughout - not least that there is no existing Riding School, (which would surely require a license, insurance and a qualified instructor, in any case).
With regard to this application specifically, though, objections are as follows;
- Shipping containers are completely out of keeping with the natural character of the park and would constitute an eye sore.
- The 'Collective' has already parked a dilapidated horse box next to the barn, which could have been used as 'storage' but is frequently occupied overnight, despite there being no sanitation facilities.
- The 'Collective' was granted a substantial amount of money over two years ago but there has been no improvement to the barn or the surrounding paddocks since then. Whilst we understand that the barn itself is now beyond repair (partly as a result of the tenant's actions), there is no reason why the paddocks could not have been cleared of the accumulated junk, the fencing repaired properly and some form of shelter for the horses with an adequate water supply provided.
- Using whatever grant remains to pay for shipping containers, which could not be used to house animals, would be a mis-use of charitable funds.
- Contrary to what is submitted in the application, there is no hard-standing for these containers to be placed on, either in the area indicated on the plan or elsewhere within the leased paddocks.
- To get two 20 foot containers into the place indicated on the plan, a long established and healthy tree would have to be removed / destroyed.
- The plan alleges that installing two containers on the land for a period of 5 years will allow time for planning and work to replace the barn to be completed. Surely there should be planning permission in place first - then they can look at the best way to achieve the work?
- 5 years is not temporary. The 'business plan' talks about further fund raising and income from activities which require the use of the barn and the other 'developments' which means that there is no viable exit strategy should that income not be forthcoming. The containers could be there forever.
- There is a well established, long standing and active community group in Kingsbury which provides volunteers with the opportunity to take part in and learn about conservation and wildlife in the park. It has a garden which offers regular community events, it has direct links with Brent Parks Department and, importantly, a properly formed constitution and committee structure. The 'Collective' has none of these.
- Photographs to show the actual condition of the area around the barn, and the inadequate fencing will be emailed separately. It is an eyesore with an accumulation of dangerous materials left where the horses, dogs and children can easily be injured. For example, broken fence posts with nails sticking out and sheets of discarded rusty metal. This does not seem to correlate with the 'Collective's rhetoric.
A further support statement with some new points:
I am writing in support of the planning application for temporary
installation of 2 shipping containers on the land at Fryent Country
Park. The Bush Farm Collective have developed over the past three years a
community supported plan to transform the barn for community benefit,
providing facilities for local partner charities to conduct their
learning and development activities. This requires renovation of the
barn to be fit for purpose and use. The shipping containers are required
for storage of the barn contents during construction.
The barn
restoration plan has been achieved with the support of funding from
Brent's You Decide grant, determined by community support. This has been
matched with funding by Government's COF Grants, which has achieved the
funds required to renovate the barn. The restoration will reinstate the
barn for community use, with construction planned to happen in the
latter part of 2025.
The Collective is made up of local
volunteers, who have worked hard to make the land and barn fit for
community purpose, with facilities that will enable the site to
contribute to increased community benefit once the barn is reinstated.
This has all been achieved with the support and knowledge of Brent
Council throughout.
Without the initiative and activities of the
Collective over the years, the barn, which has fallen into dereliction,
would not be restored, and remain the eyesore, and unused asset that it
is presently is. As a borough that is in great need of community
facilities, we know that this is seen positively by the Council and many
local people. Our community events have always been well attended and
supported, and have been used to communicate the plans for the barn,
along with extensive consultation, community surveys and letterboxing.
We
understand that for some residents, who have the great fortune to live
adjacent to Fryent Park, have objections to any change to the public
land. We encourage them to look at the architect's plans for the barn
once they are live on the planning portal, which demonstrates the
transformation possible to this neglected building. We also understand
that change is sometimes difficult, however advocate that the benefit to
the wider community that Bush Farm Collective are proposing is a change
that is worth considering with positive spirit.
LINK TO PLANNING PORTAL TO COMMENT
In response to request from a reader on the first publication of this story here is more about the Bush Farm Collective's plans.
Brent Letter of Support
To whom it may concern
Re: Community Ownership Fund Application. The Barn & Paddocks, Fryent Country Park, Salmon Street, NW9 8YA.
I write on behalf of the Dove Watson-Yorke in support of her proposal to the Communities and Local Government for a grant to fund the transformation of the Barn and Paddocks, a building and enclosed fenced fields that are in need of significant repair to create a modern shelter for horses and livestock. This proposal assists the Council's objective of improving access to fields and open spaces by young people in the local area.
The Barn is a unique one of a kind horse shelter facility in Brent and was previously occupied by another tenant that left the building and paddocks in a poor state of repair. Dove Watson-Yorke took over the Barn and the paddocks as her horses had been sheltered at the location with the consent of the previous tenant. The Council is seeking to enter into a Farm Tenancy Agreement with Dove Watson-Yorke for a 25 year term, subject to detailed heads of terms and the Barn and Paddocks repairs being carried out under an agreement to lease.
The Barn and Paddocks are in need of works and the Council has not been able to bring the property back into a reasonable state of repair due to the level of capital investment required. Repairs include those to the timber structure, replacement of asbestos roof, timber cladding to the outer walls, the addition of modern toilet and and kitchen facities updated services and subsantial field fence repairs. The improved conditions would allow a long term agreement to be entered into and would strongly aligned to the objectives of the Borough Plan. The Brent Borough Plan is charged with a renewed focus and actions to tackle cross-cutting issues such as health inequalities. The Council therefore considered Dove Watson-Yorke to be best placed to bring the Barn and Paddocks into good use and deliver outcomes for local young people. As part of evaluation we have considered Dove Watson-Yorks to have a business model and a plan for meeting these objectives.
We believe that Dove Watson-Yorke, will be able to gain access to and secure other sources of additional investment, and thus secure the future of the asset in the longer term for community benefit. Without intervention, the building will continue to deteriorate and may eventually be lost for community use. The Council recognises that the letting has the potential to achieve a range of key objectives from promoting civic renewal, community cohesion, active citizenship and improving local public services to tackling poverty and promoting economic regeneration. If the proposed letting does not proceed, the Council may need to consider other options, such as demolition of the structure.
Dove Watson-Yorke would be better placed than the Council to manage this asset in the local community, with her local knowledge, and hands-on management likely to lower overheads and achieve better and more intensive and sustainable use from the asset than might be the case under traditional models of service delivery. The letting would also support the delivery of service outcomes which would otherwise be unnaffordable by the Council. There is a lack of high quality assets available for community use in Brent. The proposed letting is therefore a rare opportunity to make use of a potentially high quality asset for community benefit.
The works to be carried out at the Barn and Paddocks, as a condition of the agreement to lease, will include Dove Watson Yorke funding and returning the Barn and Paddocks to a safe, compliant and lettable state of repair.
The proposal meets the general objectives of providing targeted investment to strengthen capacity and capability in communities to support them to shape their place and develop sustainable community businesses. We strongly support this application and the focus on increasing the use of open spaces for local young people.
I look forward to working with you in improving opportunities for young people in our communities and achieving health equity.
Yours sincerely,
Head of Property
London Borough of Brent