'Stop the loss of more green and well used spaces in the South Kilburn high density building area' - Plea to save Granville Rec

 

South Kilburn residents stand up to to show their support for Granville Rec at the Council Meeting 

 

This is the speech Leslie Barson made about the Granville Rec, a rare mature greem space in South Kilburn:

   

I'd like to thank Pete Firmin, for presenting an overview of the structural problems  that we face in South Kilburn for more than twenty years. It's important to address this new council at the beginning of its term for you to know about the situation in South Kilburn. I'm here from Granville Community Kitchen and have worked at the Granville and South Kilburn for more than 30 years. I want to talk about saving a small pocket park on Granville Road, which residents named The Granville Recreation Ground, The Rec.

 

The history of this small space is that it was opened in 2009 when Granville New Homes were built on much of the open space that had been on Granville Road.  The Rec was built to replace open space lost at that time.  Unfortunately, there was no money to manage it.  It fell into disrepair and became a site for anti-social behaviour. With the eventual outcome that about 2011, it was locked permanently. 

 

It was then left abandoned, unused and unloved until 2023, when it was given to Granville Community Kitchen as a temporary place to grow food. GCK lost its garden space with the building of the new garden hall built in the garden at the front of Granville. 

 

After working hard for our first year uncovering the Rec, we have been able to fill it with flowers,  food.  Children, families, elderly people, the isolated, and learning projects for children, young people and adults.

 

We have shown that if it is managed well the Rec can be lovely, wanted, much used place and an asset to residents for their mental and physical health as well as an asset to environmental health and even supporting economic health giving residents vegetables and upskilling volunteers toward possible employment. 

 

In 3 years we have been managing the Rec we have brought it back to life

 

In 2025 alone:

 

407 visitors to education sessions

275 school learners

1102 educational sessions

2 open events with over 100 people attending 

And volunteers sessions twice a week

 

It is used by

Brent family services

Salisbury world refugee project

Local people birthday parties

Over 100 kg of veg distributed to volunteers , community meals and local residents 

 

The regeneration plans to build 14 new homes 4 stories high, completely covering the site with buildings.

 

In these plans a new space bigger than Rec and relocated on the edge of the estate near Kilburn Park tube is to be made as a ‘replacement’. It is called a ‘pedestrianised environment’ and is 10002m bigger than Rec but with trees planted in regimented rows with a road and parking going through this pedestrian area. 

 

There are many reasons why we object to this plan and why this pedestrianised area is NOT a replacement for the loss of old biodiverse land.

 

1.Location and Accessibility

The existing park is centrally located within the South Kilburn estate, making it easily accessible to residents. The proposed replacement would be situated on the edge of the estate, reducing its integration with the community.

2.Size and Usability:  

 

While the new space is technically larger (2500 sqm vs. 1500 sqm), much of this area includes roads and parking. This results in:

· Reduced safe, usable space for recreation

· Only four small designated "safe spaces" within the park

· An overall decrease in pleasant, car-free areas for residents to enjoy

 

3.Conflicts with Brent Councils Policies and Goals

The current Granville Recreation Ground aligns with and supports several key Brent Council policies:

1. Climate Emergency Declaration (2019, updated 2021): Helps achieve the goal of becoming the greenest borough by 2030.
2. Clean Air Targets: Contributes to improved air quality in the area
3. Green Infrastructure Vision: Provides valuable green space within the urban environment.
4. Health Equity: Offers a natural space that promotes better health outcomes and reduces inequalities.

4.Biodiversity and Ecological Value

The existing park boasts significant biodiversity with its mature trees, diverse plant life, and undisturbed areas. The planned replacement, with its manicured design, would severely limit the potential for supporting a rich ecosystem.

5.Community Amenities

Replacing the Granville Recreation Ground with this proposed pedestrian area would result in a net loss of valuable community space and amenities, particularly in an area slated for high-density housing development.

6.Natural vs Designed Landscape

The Rec offers a more natural, wild environment with mature vegetation. In contrast, the proposed pedestrian area  is highly designed with:

·       Trees planted in regimented rows along roads

·       Less opportunity for biodiversity and natural growth

·       Reduced foraging opportunities for wildlife and residents

We have  been asking for the last year that the plans be changed for The Rec and it to be left as a park for residents. We have a Petition with nearly 1000 signatures,

 

I now, ask all  the supporters of the Rec  who made the long expensive and time consuming journey from SK to please stand up show their support to stop any building on the Rec

 

We implore the Councillors to  listen  to those who live and work in South Kilburn, rethink the plans for the Rec  and stop the loss of more green and well used spaces in such a high density building area. Please, you have the power to do this! Save the Granville Rec!