Brent Council consultations on alcohol and gambling licensing

 As Brent Council consultations have a low profile and a poor response rate I am publicising two more that are in progress. Both affect the daily lives of residents.

FROM BRENT COUNCIL

Statement of Licensing Policy Consultation -Alcohol

Every 5 years the Council is required to review, consult on and re-publish its Statement of Licensing Policy. The current Statement of Licensing Policy is due to be re-published in January 2025.

 

The Statement of Licensing Policy is a document that sets out the Council’s approach to issuing licences for the sale of alcohol and late night refreshment, the management of those licences and the expectations the Council has of licensees.

 

The Statement of Licensing Policy has been reviewed and refreshed to ensure that it is up to date and relevant to Brent’s current circumstances and how they affect the licensed economy.

 

We do encourage you to read the draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2025-2030, however, we have also outlined the key changes below:

 

Key changes and additions for the Licensing Policy

 

1.   The Licensing Policy has been updated for changes in laws and the Section 182 guidance. Including changes in pavement licences, a link to immigration status documentation and the inclusion of a policy to prepare for ‘Martyn’s Law’.

 

2.   In particular new policies have been included to outline expectations in the following areas:

a.   Addressing risks and harms to women and vulnerable people in the night time economy;

b.   Responding to the proposed Martyn’s Law by outlining event and large venue safety and risk assessment;

c.    Highlighting expectations for ‘dark kitchens’ an their premises to improve the operation and oversight of alcohol sales from these premises;

d.   Ensuring licenses are aware of their responsibilities in relation to drink spiking.

e.   Policies outlining expectations on delivery services and the dispersal of patrons from premises.

 

3.   We have also removed the policy on a voluntary Minimum Unit Price, this policy has not been used and other approaches have had a positive impact in the 

 

area of low cost, high strength alcohol sales.

 

The policy must now be fully reviewed, and re-published.

 

We have prepared a revised a draft policy for consultation purposes. The consultation began on August 8^th and ends on September 29^th. LINK

 

Draft Statement of Licensing policy 2025-30.pdf

(1.8 MB)

 

 Gambling Licensing Policy Consultation 2025 - 2028 - Gambling

Under the terms of the Gambling Act 2005, we must review the licensing policy statement every three years.

 

We base this policy on the three licensing objectives, which are:

• a) Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime.
• b) Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair an open way
• c) Protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gaming.

 

The purpose of the policy is to share:

• the guiding principles that direct us in making licensing decisions
• issues that applicants will need to consider when making an application.
• the ways we will issue licenses
• the role and influence of representations
• how we will communicate with others and undertake our enforcement role in relation to gambling

 

This information is for residents and businesses and those who wish to run gambling establishments.

 

This policy was comprehensively reviewed last year and only minor amendments have been made.

The policy must now be fully reviewed, and re-published.

 

We have prepared a revised a draft policy for consultation purposes. Consultation began on August 5^th and ends on September 29^th.

 

Please fill out the consultation questions via our survey. LINK

 

Draft Statement of Principles for Gambling 2025.28.pdf

(1.3 MB)

Only one person has responded to Brent Council Survey on new Conservation Area Directions. Deadline August 30th

 A sharp-eyed reader has drawn my attention to several Brent Council consultations that are taking place during the August holiday period.  The first is on Conservation Area directions within some of Brent's Conservation Areas. These are important because they map the relevant area and set out regulations on windows, doors and front gardens. The consultation started on August 1st and ends on Friday August 30th. So far just one person has 'had their say'.

This is the blurb from the council website LINK:

Proposed Article 4 Directions for Conservation Areas

On the 28th May 2024 Brent’s Cabinet Committee gave its authorisation to proceed with proposals for immediate and non-immediate new Article 4 Directions to replace the existing Directions for its residential Conservation Areas. 

New immediate Article 4 Directions are needed because the Council has reduced the boundary of the Buck Lane Conservation Area, de-designated the Sudbury Cottages Conservation Area and agreed to relax the Article 4 Directions for windows, doors and front gardens in the Northwick Circle Conservation Area. 

Non-immediate Article 4 Directions are needed because the Council has extended the Brondesbury, Mapesbury, Queen’s Park and Willesden Green Conservation Areas. The proposed Article Directions, with the exception of Northwick Park outside Northwick Circle, will restrict the same suite of permitted development rights as those Article 4s that exist and as illustrated in the bullet points above. (Editor's note: As you can see there are no 'bullet points above!)

The Article 4 Directions are attached to this survey, or are alternatively available here where there are also accessible versions available: https://www.brent.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/listed-buildings-and-conservation-areas#article4

We are inviting comments on the Article 4 Directions from 1st August to 30th August 2024 17:00.

Please complete this survey, providing your comments on the proposed changes to the Conservation Article 4 Directions.

Only the name of organisations represented but not any individual’s personal details will be made public in any material related to the representations received. The Council will only retain your personal details to inform you of the outcome of the decision on whether to proceed with the confirmation of the Directions. After this has occurred your personal details will be deleted. For more information see our privacy notice.

If you have any questions or would like any further information please email planningstrategy@brent.gov.uk

 Conservation area maps

 

 

Brondesbury

 

 Buck Lane

 

Kensal Rise

 

Mapesbury

 

 

 Northwick Park

 

 

Queens Park

 

 

Roe Green

 

 

 Sudbury Cottages

 

Willesden Green 

 

FULL DETAILS BELOW

Kensal Rise Conservation Area Article 4 Direction.pdf

(349.8 KB)

Northwick Circle Conservation Area Article 4 Direction 1.pdf

(392.2 KB)

Mapesbury Conservation Area Article 4 Direction.pdf

(334.6 KB)

Brondesbury Conservation Area Article 4 Direction.pdf

(341.9 KB)

Northwick Circle Conservation Area Article 4 Direction 2.pdf

(366.6 KB)

Sudbury Cottages Conservation Area Article 4 Direction.pdf

(353.6 KB)

Buck Lane Conservation Area Article 4 Direction.pdf

(349.7 KB)

Queens Park Conservation Area Article 4 Direction.pdf

(365.6 KB)

Roe Green Article 4 Direction.pdf

(354.8 KB)

Willesden Green Conservation Area Article 4 Direction.pdf

(349.0 KB)

Staples Corner-Dollis Hill will see major changes under the Growth Area Masterplan currently in consultation

 

Brent Council is currently consulting on the Staples Corner Growth Area Masterplan which would see major changes in the Strategic Industrial Land  (SIL) areas in Dollis Hill, new housing, a designated high rise area and better  connections  with green spaces.

The Council claims:

Staples Corner will be transformed into a higher quality and intensified industrial area sitting adjacent to a new urban community. Regeneration and growth will support a rich ecology of industrial and co-located residential uses to create an exemplary 15-minute neighbourhood where people live, work and interact. Intensification will deliver a new and varied supply of modern industrial premises for London’s strategic and local business needs, as well as commercial space, social infrastructure and an improved public realm to support a mixed use residential community.

 

Staples Corner will be enhanced as an attractive, prosperous and sustainable place,

supporting new industrial business and employment growth, as well as welcoming new residents to the neighbourhood.

 

 

Protecting and intensifying the majority of the industrial land solely for industrial

purposes, but allowing some either for a mix of uses incorporating some industrial or for

residential led development, will deliver:

 

• Modern, fit for purpose industrial spaces for local businesses including logistics,

light industrial units and affordable workspace;

 

• Opportunities for employment, skills and training for local people;

 

• A minimum of 2,200 new high quality homes, including affordable homes and

family sized-dwellings;

 

• A range of new local services and community spaces that support interaction and community cohesion;

 

• New open spaces, incorporating play for a range of ages, and public realm

improvements particularly along the North Circular Road and Edgware Road;

 

• A high quality environment that is safe and accessible to everyone;

 

• An industrial movement network that keeps HGV and large vehicles to the

strategic road network, with other streets encouraging walking and

cycling over private motor vehicles, and better connect Staples Corner to the

surrounding area;

 

• A place that achieves the highest standards of sustainability to support a

low carbon circular economy.

The plans include a tall building zone off the Edgware Road with some taller 'marker buildings':

 

The West Hendon redevelopment in neighbouring Barnet with its 'marker' tall building was opposed by Brent  Council because of its impact on the Welsh Harp but it was argued at the time that it would set a precedent that could lead to development close to the banks of the Welsh Harp encouraged by the Council.  The comment included in  the above image 'building masses should consider the setting of the locally listed Welsh Harp reservoir, and also respond sensitively to suburban streets to the south' will be key for many local people and will the impact of tall buildings on the flight paths of breeding and migrating birds.

I can only include a basic outline of these massive detailed documents that can be found on the Council website HERE.

One adopted the Masterplan will used as the framework for future planning decisions in the designated Growth Area area and so it is important to comment now.

CONSULTATION MEETINGS

 

 

June 12^th 12-3pm Bellissima Ristorante

 

June 18^th 10am-2pm Stables Cafe, Gladstone Park

 

June 27^th 12-3pm Bellissima Ristorante

 

July 3^rd 5.30-7.30pm Millennium Business Centre

 

July 10^th 6pm-7pm online

Brent moves to remove 'Landlord Offer' from homeless moved into void properties on South Kilburn. Lettings Policy consultation will be required.

 

 

The above video was posted on Twitter yesterday revealing the state of Blake Court on the South Kilburn Estate. @DCustodians said:

Welcome to #BlakeCourtThis the airy 4th floor. Recently redecorated to a high standard by squatters. Just needs a do not disturb sign. Tenants are a bit inconvenienced, work/school and all but who are we to complain?

A picture of an an attempted break-in and soiled lift were also posted:

I thought it was appropriate to publish these images in the light of the Housing Report going to Brent Cabinet on Monday. The report includes a section on South Kilburn where it is proposed that some voids (empty properties) on the estate are brought into use as temporary accommodation. 

The fact that only 52  of 534 properties are considered suitable is in itself telling and clearly it is not just the flats themselves that need to be suitable - safe, clean - but the surrounding 'unsuitable flats', staircases, lifts and security that needs to be considered. 

Wembley Matters has revealed the £13m deficit in the housing budget caused by the rising number of homeless people in temporary hotel accommodation or expensive private rented placements.  LINK The council hopes to save on the average £3,000 a night for the 52 households:

There are currently 534 void properties across the South Kilburn regeneration site as households have either been moved into new or alternative homes, or leasehold properties have been bought back. Due to the increased demand for temporary accommodation and rising hotel costs, an exercise has been carried out to assess the suitability of South Kilburn voids for use as temporary accommodation.

However, there is a fly in the ointment. Brent Council want to avoid the 'Landlord Promise' made at the time of the South Kilburn Regeneation Ballot, applying to these households (my highlighting):

Of the 534 voids, 52 have been identified as suitable for potential use. This is based on their condition and the impact of using them on the regeneration programme. These are based in John Ratcliffe, William Dunbar, William Saville, and Zangwill. Historically, those living in temporary accommodation on the regeneration site were included in the South Kilburn Promise (Landlord Offer), which commits to re-housing temporary accommodation residents within South Kilburn, with the option to move outside of the estate (with the household’s agreement) along with other commitments. This was specifically for those impacted at the time of the ballot. If these voids are used for temporary accommodation, this report recommends that the South Kilburn Promise does not apply going forward. This implications of this proposal on the 2019 ballot outcome have been discussed with the Greater London Authority and no implications were identified.

 

The rational[e] for the promise not applying going forward to temporary households, is largely based on these households bypassing the choice-based lettings scheme, where other households have waited for years for family sized accommodation. Additionally, these households will not have been impacted by the regeneration scheme in the way those involved with the ballot.

This proposal does create a risk that temporary households will need to be decanted elsewhere, most likely away from the estate, when blocks are due to be demolished. Plus, there will be two tiers of temporary accommodation on the site, those who are eligible for the South Kilburn Promise and those who are not. This risk however is balanced by the immediate reduction in pressure for the Council as moving 52 households out of their current temporary accommodation and into South Kilburn would save the Council approximately £3,017 a night based on the average nightly rate paid and subsidy loss currently being covered by the Council. The use of these void properties has wider benefits to the overall wellbeing of households currently facing homelessness, many of whom are having to be placed outside of the borough which ultimately affects schooling and work.  

 

There is another pitfall in that the council is required to consult on any change in its Lettings Policy in order to amend the Landlord Offer.:

 

 To amend the South Kilburn Promise (Landlord Offer) for new temporary accommodation tenants, the Council is required to amend the Local Lettings Policy (allocations scheme) which requires consultation. The Council is currently seeking legal advice on how to consult and once obtained, this will guide officers to carry out the relevant consultation ahead of any decision being finalised.

 

The council had to open up bidding for council properties to homeless people after a legal judgement in 2021-22 when a teenager took them to court.  LINK That was the last change in the lettings policy. It is likely that South Kilburn residents, especially those waiting for accommodation on the estate, presently in accommodation outside the area, in temporary accommodation or decanted temporarily while waiting to be permanently housed in new build will be very wary of any change in the South Kilburn Promise. If it can be done once for one group, could it be withdrawn later for another group?

 

This will depend to some extent on residents perception of progress on the whole South Kilburn Regeneration.   A letter to Wembley Matters in November outlined the problems in terms of delivery and impact on those waiting to be rehoused. LINK

 

There are ongoing problems with defects to properties with L&Q one of the most notable and the ongoing Granville New Homes debacle where the cost of remediation is now put at £25m (against that budget gap of £13m) having been purchased for £17.1m by the council. Still no news on any council move for compensation from the builder. LINK

 

A veteran observer of the South Kilburn scene was asked for their view by Wembley Matters in the light of the latest news:

 

If the council were were to hold another ballot, would all those in temporary accommodation still vote yes if they were told they would not be getting a new home in South Kilburn for at least 10 years and that some of them would have to move into old blocks waiting to be demolished while they wait.

Although there are 730 households in temporary accommodation, we do not know how many of them have a South Kilburn connection but at the last consultation the ones that had it were promised a new home soon if they voted yes.

There are 370 secure council tenants waiting for a new home today and we will find out soon the exact numbers in each of the 7 blocks left and when they might be decanted.

But the next batch of new homes are for secure council tenants from both  Craic and Crone Court and there are none for those in temporary accomodation. Of course the council could  change their allocation policy to favour those in temporary accommodation but this is most unlikely.

There should be some more new homes available in 2029 which were for those in phases 7 and 8 but now they might go to those currently in temporary accommodation. I am not sure how many new homes will be available but there will be fewer than 100 and by then because of possible financial issues, many of the homes could be sold, or become shared ownership homes.

But with only 70 new homes available in 2029 and around a 1000 households expecting to get one of them, most of them are going to be disappointed.

I wonder if Osbornes Law will be interested in the new proposals?

 

Brent Council open consultation on new Traffic Management Orders (TMOs) 24/7/365 on its Council Estates - £50 annual fee per permit

 There was an attempt by Brent Council a few years ago to introduce Traffic Management measures that were not popular. Another consultation has been launched. Parking permits will be £50 per year and in the first instance limited to residents. There will be a review regarding visitor permits once the scheme is operation. This was a particular concern for some residents who have a cultural tradition of visiting relatives as an extended family.

The Council warns that parking on estates will have to be suspended for a maximum of two days (weather permitting) while signs and new road markings are installed.

From the consultation website LINK:

We are consulting on estates across Brent regarding the introduction of Traffic Management measures. This will mean that the council can control parking on the estates in the same way that it does on public roads and will make parking safer, fairer and easier.

As a part of this consultation, we will be running a series of workshops where discussions will take place on each of these estates. The estates and the corresponding workshop details can be found below.

To sign up to one of the workshops, please click on each of the workshops (1-5) which will redirect you to an Eventbrite page. Booking through the links below guarantees your entry, however if you are unable to book through these pages, there will availability on the day at the venue if you wish to attend.

For more information on what is being proposed at each state, please click on the name of the estate which will open a plan of the proposals.

(Note the workshop for Summers Close and Saltcroft Close is given as two different vekues on the website and the printed brochure. There may be other mistakes - I have not checked them all.)

Workshop 1 - The Church of the Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley HA9 9QL Time: 7 - 9pm on 21st November 2023

• Newland Court
• John Perrin Place
• Mason Court
• Eskadale and Loweswater

Workshop 2 - Brent River College, 364b Stag Lane, Kingsbury NW9 9AE Time: 7 - 9pm on 21st November 2023

• Sutherland Court
• Essoldo Way
• Westcroft Court
• Summers Close and Saltcroft Close

Workshop 3 - Maharastra Mandal London, 306 Dollis Hill Ln, London NW2 6HH Time: 7 - 9pm on 23rd November 2023

• Lecky House
• Gladstone Park, Mascotts Close, Sandcroft Close and Oxley’s Road

Workshop 4 - Christ Church Brondesbury, Brondesbury NW6 7BJ Time: 7 - 9pm on 28th November 2023

• Rosedene
• Frontenac House
• Cavendish Close
• John Barker Court

Workshop 5 - Brent Indian Association, 116 Ealing Rd, Wembley HA0 4TH Time: 7 - 9pm on 29th November 2023

• Gloucester Close
• Lodge Court and Manor Court
• 255-261 East Lane
• Rokesby Place
• Stanley Avenue and Lightley Close

If you would like to have your say on our proposals, please follow a link to our survey here (https://bit.ly/BHECS), or click on the 'Have your say' button on the top of the page. Survey closes at 23:59 on 13 December 2023.

Why do we need to make these changes?

Vehicles parking in an unsafe and inconsiderate way blocks roads and pavements, and are making it difficult and unsafe for residents to move around their estates, as well as hindering access for the Council’s refuse collection vehicles. Residents on the estates are also finding it more and more difficult to find a space to park their car. More seriously, unsafe parking can prevent fire engines and ambulances from getting to the estates for emergencies.

How do the new controls work differently to the current ones?

Under the current system, Wing Parking (enforcement agents) are not legally allowed to access DVLA information, meaning they can only ever enforce against estates residents, not those parking there without permission. The new system will make it easier for the Council to enforce against vehicles parked poorly or inconsiderately which cause problems in the estates. These stricter controls have been proven to deter nuisance estate parking when used by other London authorities.

What are the benefits of these changes?

• Residents should find it easier to access a suitable parking space.
• There should be less disruption to emergency service vehicles, allowing them to respond more rapidly to issues on the estates.
• Unauthorised vehicles will be deterred from entering the estates and parking in resident bays, which will increase parking availability for estate residents.
• Unobstructed footways will improve parking accessibility and safety for pedestrians, the mobility impaired and pedestrians with pushchairs.
• There should be an improvement in access for Council services, including a reduction in missed waste collections.

AT LAST! TfL consultation opens on safer routes for cyclists between Wembley Central and Harlesden

 

 

I used to do a daily return trip by cycle for work between Harlesden (St Johns Avenue) and Park Lane, Wembley Central. To say it was more dangerous than going over the Berlin Wall would be an exaggeration, but I was often surprised to still be alive at the end of the day.

Next year it will be 5 years since Brent Council and TfL began working on safer cycling and pedestrian routes for the Wembley Centra to Harlesden journey and the long-awaited TfL consultation opens today and closes just before Christmas on December 21st.

 

 

TfL say: 

We have been working closely with Brent Council since April 2019 to develop a project that would make it safer and easier for local people to walk and cycle between Wembley and Willesden Junction.

We are developing the project in phases, and the first phase will focus on the area between Wembley Central and Harlesden stations, where we propose to provide a new high-quality Cycleway and improvements for pedestrians.

The changes would make streets in the area safer and more pleasant by enabling people to walk and cycle more and drive less.

The proposals include a protected two-way cycle lane on the A404 Harrow Road and Brentfield, new and improved cycle and pedestrian crossings over Harrow Road, better street lighting to help make the area feel safer and more trees and plants more welcoming.

This would help us to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, which could improve local people’s health. It would also address congestion, and help support new developments(External link) (External link) planned across the wider area by providing better walking and cycling links to local businesses and stations.

The changes we would like to make are:

• Introducing a new protected two-way cycle lane on the A404 Harrow Road and Brentfield between Sylvia Gardens and First Drive, with separate low level cycle signals at junctions, new cycle crossings and better connections to other local cycle routes
• Introducing bus stop bypasses for cyclists at bus stops C and K, with the two-way cycle lane behind the bus stop island for cyclist safety
• Improving the quiet road cycle connections to Wembley Central and Harlesden stations
• Improving the route for pedestrians by adding a new crossing over Brentfield near Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre and making existing crossings at the A406 junction more direct, which will reduce crossing times
• We’ll add measures to slow traffic speeds, add better street lighting and drainage, and new areas of planting and trees where space allows along the route
• Improving the service for bus passengers by extending bus stop D so two buses can stop here at a time, and moving stop B in line with the traffic lane so that buses can pull away easily after passengers board
• Other changes to allow us to make these improvements include closing the left turn filter lanes from the A406 onto Harrow Road and Brentfield, making Sylvia Gardens exit only for motor vehicles (currently entrance only), shortening a parking bay on Harrow Road and reviewing parking restrictions on the quiet road connections. We would also move bus stop ‘Sunny Crescent’ 90m to the eastern side of Wyborne Way to make space for the new cycle lanes

 

The maps below will give you a more detailed idea of the proposals:

 

Two drop-in events are planned to discuss the proposals:

Public drop-in event 9th December

Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre, Brentfield, Harrow Road, London NW10 ORG (10:00 - 14:00)

 

Public drop-in event 12th December

Bridge Park Community Leisure Centre, Brentfield, Harrow Road, London NW10 ORG (15:00 - 19:00)

 

You can find the full online consultation here including further information: 

https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/wembley-harlesden

 

I have embedded the consultation form below in case you would like to preview it before responding or perhaps  prefer to answer offline.