When Brent Council announced on August 12th LINK that redevelopment after demolition was no longer an option for St Raphael's Estate, Wembley Matters offered both resident groups active on the estate a guest post to explain their reaction.
St Raphael's Estate Community Action posted a guest blog on August 13th welcoming the decision LINK.
Today Asif Zamir, Chair of St Raphael's Voice, puts their perspective:
We are happy to have had the
opportunity as St Raphael's Voice and residents of St Raphael’s Estate to
co-work with the council and KCA to develop both masterplans.
Having heard the announcement
that redevelopment is no longer financially viable and will not be offered as
an option; as per the original commitment from the council there will be no
need for a ballot.
This has left many residents who
were looking to exercise their preferred choice by way of democratic vote
(Ballot)disappointed as they felt that redevelopment could have been a life
changing opportunity for them financially as well as positively changed and
uplifted the area they live in. Others welcomed the decision as it has meant
that they will not have to make any changes and can continue with their lives
and do not have to plan for any major changes.
Many residents are of course
disappointed that they won't get the opportunity to vote on the redevelopment
and that there is no longer an option for it to happen but we understand the
reason for the decision and will work positively with the council to ensure the
Infill plus option delivers the best possible result for residents. SRVs role
has always been and continues to remain to support and ensure any
consultation/work was truly led by the community. It is a role we have always
taken seriously and have delivered on it. Over the last few years we have
worked hard to support residents and have assisted residents throughout covid -
leading the Stonebridge ward mutual aid group offering a food and medical
supplies support service, we have set up the residents association which
assists in the management of the estate, we have successfully set up youth
sports clubs on the estate and lots more. We are committed and will continue to
work hard to ensure St Raphael's Estate receives the investment it needs and
there continues to be improvements to enrich the lives of residents.
St Raphael's should never have
become a point scoring platform for organisations such as ASH who with certain
individuals attempted to divide the estate - fortunately residents did not play
into their hands and continued to support St Raphael's Voice- we have always
attempted to be the backbone of the estate and stand up for the rights of
residents and amplify their voices it was never their masterplan - it was
always ours. Even though we didn't get the opportunity for a ballot, it remains
a victory for the residents of St Raphael's Estate, as this process has allowed
us to attract investment and further improvements.
