WEMBLEY MATTERS News and views on local politics, the environment, climate change, culture and local history
Thursday, 12 April 2018
Quintain secures £36m investment loan on its ALTO development
From Quintain
Quintain has successfully secured a £36m, five year investment loan from TH Real Estate on its second build to rent development, Alto, at Wembley Park.
The refinancing allows Quintain to accelerate the development of the Wembley Park Masterplan and look ahead to the delivery of further build-to-rent buildings in 2018 and beyond.
Jason Rodrigues, Vice President of Debt Strategies at TH Real Estate said:
TH Real Estate recognises the long-term fundamentals driving the growth in the build-to-rent sector and is delighted to support Quintain and its best-in-class Tipi platform with the financing of this attractive, modern scheme.Michael Jenkins, Finance Director at Quintain said:
This financing represents an important milestone for Quintain and Tipi, marking the completion and leasing of our second build to rent development. The deal is a clear indicator of the confidence that lenders have in Quintain and our ability in the sector. We are building rental homes faster than any other developer and transforming Wembley Park into a world class destination for Londoners to live, work and visit.More about TH Real Estate LINK
TH Real Estate, an affiliate of Nuveen (the investment management arm of TIAA), is one of the largest real estate investment managers in the world with $109bn in AUM as at 31 December 2017. Managing a suite of funds and mandates spanning both debt and equity across diverse geographies, sectors, investment styles and vehicle types, we provide access to every aspect of real estate investing.
Keep it in the Ground: Divestment and Climate Change May 8th
Meeting to discuss
What we can do about climate change
And how divestment (selling fossil fuel
investments) can help
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DATE AND TIME
Tue 8 May 2018
19:30 – 21:30
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Do you want to do something about climate change? Come to this meeting, hosted by Divest Brent and Brent Friends of the Earth, and find out what you can do. We will hear from an experienced campaigner (supplemented by video clips) about the role that divestment (disposing of fossil fuel investments) has to play generally and in particular, locally, look at ways to encourage Brent Council’s wish to divest their Pension Fund which has nearly £40 million invested in fossil fuel companies. We will look at divestment success stories and why it is so effective. We will also look at other ways to transition to clean, renewable energy – and most importantly what you can do to contribute to this transition.
Doors
open at 7 pm - come then for an opportunity, before the formal evening starts
at 7.30 pm, to talk to people in Brent who are already working to combat
climate change - and there will be another chance for informal discussion when
the formal evening finishes at 9 pm.
Please
note that in order to attend, although the event is free, you must first
register for a ticket online at https://tinyurl.com/KeepInGround or by writing to Simon Erskine, 61 Mortimer Road, London, NW10 5QR. The
location is very close to Kilburn underground station but not that easy to find
from the map – when you register online you will find a link to directions – or
ask Simon Erskine as above.
Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Sarah Marquis announces she will not stand as Chair of Brent Planning Committee again
Cllr Sarah Marquis (Labour, Barnhill) announced at the last meeting of the current Planning Committee tonight that she will not be standing as Chair again. The new chair is due to be elected at the Labour Group's Annual General Meeting shortly after the May 3rd election.
I understand that Cllr Marquis wishes to return to her legal career. She was always judicious in her role and mindful of the Committee's independence. For a considerable period the Committee was chaired by Councillor Amer Aghar while Marquis was on maternity leave.
The position is a bed of nails at a time when the Committee has to consider many controversial proposals, particularly those in the Quintain regeneration area. Multi-million developments have been approved by a single vote on occasions when many of the Committee have abstained.
In the background there have also been the controversies reported on this blog over the Council leader's relationship with Quintain and the issue of unminuted meetings with developers that resulted in changes to Councillor Guidelines on planning issues.
View the Daily Telegraph's PR plug for Quintain's Wembley development
Be aware that the park shown in the opening sequence does not yet exist. Will that valuable land end up being built on? Don't mention that none of the homes are affordable for local people and there is no social housing, while there are thousands on the council's housing waiting list.
Source Daily Telegraph Business Club.
A moving story that shows why Sufra deserves your support
Sufra is so much more than just a foodbank. This is an extract from their most recent Newsletter:
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Abaeze, his wife and 2 sons, aged 9 and 13, sat in our
office for 4 hours. Throughout, the mother sobbed. The family are asylum
seekers and had overspent on the goodwill of a local taxi driver who had been
housing them for the past 8 months. In the morning, he dropped them off at the
Food Bank and pointed to Ibrahim saying, “They’ll help you.”
This is not an unusual occurrence. Sufra NW London, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, was never just a Food Bank. We’re an all-encompassing safety net for everyone and anyone who can’t get the help they need. As asylum seekers, Abaeze and his family are not eligible for benefits and he is not allowed to work. If caught working, he could be deported immediately.
As Ibrahim made the usual raft of calls trying to find every possible avenue of support, I looked on as the hours passed by without any resolution. Every ounce of dignity had been stripped away from this family, and the sight of the inconsolable, sobbing mother was disturbing. And incredibly distracting. First I offered tea and coffee, but they refused. When Fahim arrived with a delivery of fruit, I asked if they wanted some. Shyly, Abaeze said no. I packed them a bag anyway and asked Abaeze to keep it with him just in case, in the hope that they would be tempted to look through the bag and eat something when I wasn’t looking.
In some ways it was a pathetic gesture. The family was homeless and I was offering oranges and bananas.
This is not an unusual occurrence. Sufra NW London, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, was never just a Food Bank. We’re an all-encompassing safety net for everyone and anyone who can’t get the help they need. As asylum seekers, Abaeze and his family are not eligible for benefits and he is not allowed to work. If caught working, he could be deported immediately.
As Ibrahim made the usual raft of calls trying to find every possible avenue of support, I looked on as the hours passed by without any resolution. Every ounce of dignity had been stripped away from this family, and the sight of the inconsolable, sobbing mother was disturbing. And incredibly distracting. First I offered tea and coffee, but they refused. When Fahim arrived with a delivery of fruit, I asked if they wanted some. Shyly, Abaeze said no. I packed them a bag anyway and asked Abaeze to keep it with him just in case, in the hope that they would be tempted to look through the bag and eat something when I wasn’t looking.
In some ways it was a pathetic gesture. The family was homeless and I was offering oranges and bananas.
As the working day came to a close without any prospect of finding housing, I
turned to Ibrahim and said, “Book them a hotel.”
”But you said there was no money,” he asked.
Whilst it is true that our emergency aid budget currently stands at zero, I told him to go ahead.
”The money will come. We’ll put out an appeal on social media.”
”But you said there was no money,” he asked.
Whilst it is true that our emergency aid budget currently stands at zero, I told him to go ahead.
”The money will come. We’ll put out an appeal on social media.”
As the family made their way out of the office, Abaeze
came to me and hugged me. And he wouldn’t let go. “Thank you”, he kept
muttering. I was embarrassed.
Fast forward 8 days, Abaeze and his family now live in temporary accommodation in Kilburn. By profession, Abaeze is a chef and he’s already started volunteering at Sufra NW London. But without the right to work and no entitlement to benefits, he will be reliant on the Food Bank for months to come. Maybe longer.
There will be some that judge Abaeze when he gets a dodgy job washing dishes at a restaurant paying cash in hand. It’s inevitable. But there is something utterly unforgivable about the way our country treats asylum seekers fleeing conflict or persecution, and that policy has persisted across governments of all political persuasions.
”Maybe they’re economic migrants...” some might question. But what if they’re not? I’ve known people who have lived in this limbo for 4 or 5 years. No one would put themselves through the trauma of leaving their home country and all their possessions, unless he or she truly believes they have no alternative.
To make a donation towards our Refugee Resettlement Programme, click here.
Fast forward 8 days, Abaeze and his family now live in temporary accommodation in Kilburn. By profession, Abaeze is a chef and he’s already started volunteering at Sufra NW London. But without the right to work and no entitlement to benefits, he will be reliant on the Food Bank for months to come. Maybe longer.
There will be some that judge Abaeze when he gets a dodgy job washing dishes at a restaurant paying cash in hand. It’s inevitable. But there is something utterly unforgivable about the way our country treats asylum seekers fleeing conflict or persecution, and that policy has persisted across governments of all political persuasions.
”Maybe they’re economic migrants...” some might question. But what if they’re not? I’ve known people who have lived in this limbo for 4 or 5 years. No one would put themselves through the trauma of leaving their home country and all their possessions, unless he or she truly believes they have no alternative.
To make a donation towards our Refugee Resettlement Programme, click here.
Work in a school? This event is especially for you
Book HERE
Message from the organisers:
There's
definitely cause for celebration when we have the world's best teacher,
Andria Zafirakou in our midst! It's time to recognise the great work
that so many are doing, day in day out, with children and young people
in Brent and beyond. Are you one of them? Then you need to be at this
event! Let us show you some appreciation!
What is the event all about?
A chance for educational professionals and anyone that works with children in Brent, Harrow and the surrounding areas to come together as a family and celebrate their contribution over a buffet dinner, whilst helping a worthy children's cause!
This event is both a networking opportunity for teachers and others in the field and a fundraiser for a successful holistic education charity project (Gift a Smile) looking to connect with UK schools.
The International Association for Human Values along with the Art of Living Foundation are putting on this event to raise awareness of their children and youth programmes (ART Excel for 8-12 year olds and YES! Youth Empowerment Seminar for teens) and free holistic school provision in the developing world via the unique Gift a Smile programme. Please do visit: http://www.iahv.org.uk/project/gift-a-smile/ to find out more.
EduGreat! would not be possible without the kind donations of local residents and businesses who will also be recognised on the day. Thank you!
FAQs
What's the order of the evening?
5 - 5.30pm Connect with Colleagues
5.30 - 6pm Presentations
6pm - 6.45pm Vegetarian Buffet Meal
6.45pm Raffle Prize Draw
7 - 8pm Live Music Performance
Do I need to attend the event from beginning to end?
Please time your entry between 5 - 5.30pm so that presentations are not disturbed, however, it is entirely your choice how long you stay on for.
Are children welcome?
YES! This is a family friendly event and craft activities courtesy of Holistic Happy Birthdays and Scribble Arts have been organised to keep them entertained!
Is alcohol/smoking permitted?
Strictly NOT.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Wembley Park Tube on the Met and Jubilee lines is just a 2 min walk away.
Side Road parking off Chakhill Rd or use the Asda car park on Forty Lane (free for 3 hrs).
Pay n Display parking on Bridge Road/Wembley Park station car park available too.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Please call or msg: 07946 542 876
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Let's save paper - just show the eventbrite confirmation received on your phone.
What is the event all about?
A chance for educational professionals and anyone that works with children in Brent, Harrow and the surrounding areas to come together as a family and celebrate their contribution over a buffet dinner, whilst helping a worthy children's cause!
This event is both a networking opportunity for teachers and others in the field and a fundraiser for a successful holistic education charity project (Gift a Smile) looking to connect with UK schools.
The International Association for Human Values along with the Art of Living Foundation are putting on this event to raise awareness of their children and youth programmes (ART Excel for 8-12 year olds and YES! Youth Empowerment Seminar for teens) and free holistic school provision in the developing world via the unique Gift a Smile programme. Please do visit: http://www.iahv.org.uk/project/gift-a-smile/ to find out more.
EduGreat! would not be possible without the kind donations of local residents and businesses who will also be recognised on the day. Thank you!
FAQs
What's the order of the evening?
5 - 5.30pm Connect with Colleagues
5.30 - 6pm Presentations
6pm - 6.45pm Vegetarian Buffet Meal
6.45pm Raffle Prize Draw
7 - 8pm Live Music Performance
Do I need to attend the event from beginning to end?
Please time your entry between 5 - 5.30pm so that presentations are not disturbed, however, it is entirely your choice how long you stay on for.
Are children welcome?
YES! This is a family friendly event and craft activities courtesy of Holistic Happy Birthdays and Scribble Arts have been organised to keep them entertained!
Is alcohol/smoking permitted?
Strictly NOT.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
Wembley Park Tube on the Met and Jubilee lines is just a 2 min walk away.
Side Road parking off Chakhill Rd or use the Asda car park on Forty Lane (free for 3 hrs).
Pay n Display parking on Bridge Road/Wembley Park station car park available too.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Please call or msg: 07946 542 876
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Let's save paper - just show the eventbrite confirmation received on your phone.
Hurry to tell the FA about how Spurs at Wembley has impacted on you
From Danes and Empire Court Residents' Association
We have been asked by the FA to provide feedback to a study they are conducting on the impact of Wembley Stadium, and of Spurs on the local area, London and the Nation. Specifically, they would like input on the questions below, so please provide your feedback AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (i.e. before Friday) as we will be meeting at this point.
What are the positive and negative impacts of Wembley on local residents and local businesses, and your views on the impacts of Wembley stadium with a focus on Tottenham Hotspur, and whether there have been any positive or negative developments as a result of the increased occupation?
What has been done since the start of the season to address any negative issues and how that has worked out?
What future initiatives you would like to see in place for the benefits of local stakeholders?
Answer the Questions HERE before Friday 13th April.
Incidentally this is a comment on the Stadium made in 1986 by a nine year old as part of the Domes Day project (see side panel):
Sometimes I hate Wembley Stadium because when there is an event like a match on there are nearly always hooligans hanging about. I live near the Stadium and nearly every Saturday there’s a match on and lots of people hang about the “Harrow Tavern”, which is a public house in front of our house. I hope that Wembley Stadium buy security cameras to catch all the hooligans. The time when I like Wembley is when there are no hooligans and the match is a friendly game. Concerts like the Live Aid one are held there as well. Next to Wembley Stadium, in the car park, there is a market which is held every Sunday. H.P.( Aged 9yrs)
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