Welsh Harp Centre to continue education function but may have other recreational uses

Readers may recall that I asked Brent Council for more information about the decision to lease out the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre.

I received the message below today:

In response to your recent enquiry, let me first of all apologise for the delay in coming back to you.

Further to this, can I say that the primary purpose of the proposed lease is to maintain the use of the Centre and to not let an asset fall into neglect. The Council would expect any future use of the asset to be compatible with its setting within the Welsh Harp. 

Carrying on from this, please review the responses below to the individual questions raised by you and I hope these details clarify the position. 

I refer to the advertisement in the Brent and Kilburn Times Ref: JXH/609/121

I would be grateful if you could send me a copy of the Drawing referred to in the notice see below

plus a response to the following questions: 

  1. How long is it envisaged that the lease to land and premises, including the office in Planet House will last?– The proposed lease period is for 10 years . 

2. Is it envisaged that the use of the land and premises will remain for educational purposes? – This is correct but there may also be other recreational related uses .

3. Is the land in question consecrated land subject to any change of use being agreed by the Diocesan of London? (see – We are reviewing the position and will revert to you on this point . http://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/could-this- let-welsh-harp-rest-in-peace.html ) 

4. Is it intended that the building and land be leased to one of the following (or a combination): Carey's charity arm, Oakington Manor School, Roe Green Junior School? – The property would be marketed by way of a tender process and the outcome is dependant on the responses received . 

Welsh Harp Centre to be leased out by Brent Council

Readers will remember that as part of their cuts Brent Council proposed to close the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre and a campaign was mounted to keep it open. LINK

We were told that alternative sources of management and funding were being sought including a possible funding agreement with Careys, the parent company of  waste processing company Seneca, which is based behind Wembley Stadium. Careys has extensive property in the area and has its own charity arm. At present they fund an additional teacher at the Centre. Oakington Manor Primary and Roe Green Juniors were also mentioned as having an interest in the continuation of the Centre.

The above advertisement appeared in the Brent and Kilburn Times yesetrday and rang alarm bells.  I have therefore sent the following message to Brent Council:

I refer to the advertisement in the Brent and Kilburn Times Ref: JXH/609/121. (attached)

I would be grateful if you could send me a copy of the Drawing referred to in the notice plus a response to the following questions:

1. How long is it envisaged that the lease to land and premises, including the office in Planet House will last?
2. Is it envisaged that the use of the land and premises will remain for educational purposes?
3. Is the land in question consecrated land subject to any change of use being agreed by the Diocesan of London? (see http://wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/could-this-let-welsh-harp-rest-in-peace.html)
4. Is it intended that the building and land be leased to one of the following (or a combination): Carey's charity arm, Oakington Manor Primary School, Roe Green Junior School?

Many thanks,

Martin Francis

See below a copy of the drawing as requested above:

Grabbing ears helps local children

Parachute games at last year's Festival

I spent a very pleasant day at Queensbury Eco-Cultural Festival on Sunday running the Brent School Without Walls stall and organising parachute games. Brent green groups were well represented with Friends of the Earth, Brent Sustainability and Brent Cyclists running stalls. As usual there was amazing dancing from various local groups.

The event is organised by the Friends of Eton Grove Park who have been extremely effective at, as they state writing a few letters and grabbing a few ears, to make improvements to a park that was run down: 'cracked walking paths, no tennis courts anymore, no football posts, no cricket crease and no flowers!'.  The group was formed in 2008 to 'bring back life, energy and security to the park'.

Since then they have managed to get:

• New fencing up along segments of the park boundary
• The children's playground has been revamped
• The reintroduction of tennis courts and a new multi-use games area

They have worked with local local schools and the community in a number of projects to improve safety in the park and local area. They have spread the environmental message working with Roe Green Junior School and Kingsbury High School.

In many ways this is an excellent example of community action which has succeeded in making real improvements in the quality of life for local people, especially the children.

There are more projects in the pipeline including a cricket pitch and facilities for older residents. I wish them well.