This is the 'alternative vision for Carlton Granville' that was mentioned at the Scrutiny Committee hearing. Leslie and Deidre have certainly done their homework!
An alternative vision for Granville and Carlton
Introduction
Granville
Community Kitchen and The Otherwise Club are proposing an alternative vision
for the Granville/Carlton site. The site will be the central non-denominational
community hub for South Kilburn, that meets the social, educational and
wellbeing needs of residents, managed by an (alliance or consortium) of South
Kilburn residents, groups and organisations.
The development
of such an organisation is more in line with the vision promoted in the
Localities Act 2012. It is based on respect, equity and partnerships that is
truly representative and inclusive of the community. An organisation where all
the stakeholders have an equal say in what goes on and how the site is run
through dialogue, democratic decision-making and mutual support. It is a vision
where stakeholders have the commitment and determination to make it the best
place to deliver all the services that South Kilburn needs and deserve, and to
preserve the heritage of the buildings and provide a legacy.
A community consortium
A community led
consortium consisting of all the site’s stakeholders, some local resident
positions and other local organisations such as Global Skills Centre, Canvas
Arts and other unconstituted groups would be responsible for the management of
Granville/Carlton and service provision. This includes public liability,
licences, maintenance, health and safety , marketing, accessibility and other
areas of responsibility that go with running a public asset.
This would take
financial pressure off the Council to maintain the site and to deliver services. Due to
its diverse makeup it will be able to offer a range of services responsive to
local needs. Given the densification of the area and the loss of community
spaces locally, community space is even more vital. Granville/Carlton is unique
in its size and ideally located and suited to deliver wraparound services as a
community hub.The Granville/Carlton buildings were originally separate although
side by side but now need to be considered as one site.
The site has
historically always been used for community, education and social welfare.
These buildings have since their inception been used by the people of South
Kilburn as places of refuge, first as a school and then as an adult education
centre and community centres. It is envisaged that these would be the continued
purpose of the site for the new organisation. The object of this proposition is
to secure the Granville/Carlton site and attendant buildings for the people of
South Kilburn for perpetuity. To do this we need to create a legal instrument,
a new organisation that will be community-led, including current stakeholders
to hold and manage the site and buildings. This organisation will develop a business
plan that will enable it to run and maintain the site and buildings. We would
establish a Granville Carlton Alliance run by the community to oversee these
buildings for the community in perpetuity. This would be a self financing
organisation which is viable, credible, transparent and accountable to the
South Kilburn community.
Building use
The building will
retained as existing and the largest spaces reinstated as community halls.
During the Youth and Community Service time the building was self financing
through rental of the halls. This is the
sustainable heart of the both financially and socially. Retaining and upgrading
the buildings with suitable technologies is more environmentally sustainable
than the present plans. The section of Granville built in 2005 that is still
perfectly fit for purpose with happy tenants. We would not build housing on 2/3
of the Granville building and site going against cabinet promises made to
safeguard Carlton and Granville in 2016.
We would return the Granville hall to
its rightful place as the centrepiece of these buildings. We would ensure the
use of these buildings to support a community to feel proud about itself and
glad to be a part of. To further the important work of the South Kilburn Trust
they would move to The Carlton, Centre, a building much better suited
architecturally, and a community cafe would be reinstated there.
This project will
have an enormous beneficial impact on the local economy and community cohesion.
Already it has provided a positive focus for residents. Leslie Barson and
Deirdre Woods are well known in the area. With their long term work, track
record of community led project development and excellent connections in
various parts of the community, in London and further afield are both well placed
to carry this work forward.
Proposal summary
To make this
possible local organisations will come together in a consortium. To do this we
will secure professional help from consultants to:
1. Support the development of a legal entity
that puts local voices in the lead based in the community to drive the project
forward and manage it once it is up and running.
2. Develop a business plan to plan
infrastructure funding and move forward toward securing the buildings on a
permanent basis from the council.
3. Develop a detailed strategy and financial
plan for management of the site, including a reconfiguration of existing
business and community hub provision.
4. Provide forums and other mechanisms for
meaningful involvement of the community on a long term basis. Identify barriers
to participation and address them, such as childcare.
All of this is
developed with meaningful participatory processes including the residents and
local community at every stage.
Short to medium term future
The Granville
hall is the heart of the site emotionally, and central to a viable financial
plan. To reinstate its use as a grand hall again is a key part of the vision.
Refurbishment with double glazing, air conditioning and sound insulation will
be necessary to ensure that its use will not impact on residents living on
Granville Road.
All the other GLA
funded changes to the building would remain as is.
The basement
would revert to community use including designated space for Global Skills a project
central to South Kilburn education.
The kitchen would
be upgraded to make it more suitable for its core use as a community kitchen
providing education, training and food provision for those in household food
insecurity. This has been costed at
£70,000.
The South Kilburn
Trust would move into The Carlton Centre, which will be developed as an
enterprise hub with more space for those activities and a café in the space on
the ground floor.
The nursery would
get more spaces into Carlton to be negotiated.
Finance
Development and
management will be self funded through grants, donations, crowdfunding and
income generation streams.
Costings for first stage development we have been quoted are
£5000 will
provide an initial outline scoping study moving towards what is needed for the
project£40000 to cover the cost of consultancy fees providing an in depth
feasibility study with costs and action depending on the conclusions the study
suggests.£80-100,000 will allow us to
employ building professionals including engineers and quantity surveyors to
develop refurbishment plans to maximise use of site and provide a detailed business plan
Next Steps
We would seek
council approval after presenting the feasibility study to move the project
forward. Shared Assets, Locality and The Architectural Heritage Fund have all
been approached and are able to support us us in developing a strategic plan
and with organisational development.
With regard to
participatory processes we are working with and have long term relationships
with various universities. Open University, Centre for Agroecology and Water
Resilience (CAWR) who have can support on participatory methodologies and
University College London (UCL) on planning and architecture. We have also worked with Glasshouse Community
Led Design who specialise in community led processes and the built environment,
Ubele who support African and Caribbean heritage communities and organisations
around business and community development and action planning.
Leslie Barson and Deirdre Woods
March 2019
It would be good to hear the Council's response. I would be happy to publish it. MF
