'Full participation on Brent Cross West Station plans or we will go to law,' Capita-Barnet told

Image from Barnet Council Brent Cross West Station consultation page

The Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross was formed a long time ago and consisted of several political groups, including the Green Party, Liberal Democrats and Labour politicans as well as individuals. trade councils and community organisations. It has had ups and downs as the plans ebbed and flowed but Alison Hopkins has written to Capita-Barnet, who handle the Brent Cross Thames Link project, calling for full public participation ahead of the submission of any planning application for Brent Cross West station:

I write as the co-ordinator of the decade-old “Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan”, made up of local politicians, community organisations and individuals. 

At its various peaks, the Coalition has comprised of twelve residents’ associations plus the Federation of Residents’ Associations in Barnet (another twelve largest residents’ associations in Barnet), Brent Cyclists, Brent Friends of the Earth (FoE), Barnet & Enfield FoE, Camden FoE, Sarah Teather (former MP for Brent Central), Dawn Butler, (current MP for Brent Central), Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors from Brent and Camden, Navin Shah (London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow), Darren Johnson (former London Assembly Member), Jean Lambert (now former London MEP), Brent Green Party, Barnet Green Party, Alexis Rowell, (former Chair of Camden Sustainability Taskforce), Brent and Barnet Trades Union Councils, the Bestway Group and numerous individuals.

There is a lower level of involvement nowadays, but, as a former London Borough of Brent councillor, I can still rely on widespread all-party and no-party contacts who have been involved in the Coalition for many years. There is now an increasing London-wide co-ordination of community groups fighting developer-led control of London’s planning policy. We play a part in that, and the content of this submission draws on that resource.

The collapse of the car-based Brent Cross shopping centre expansion has met one of main aims of the Coalition, which has been to oppose Barnet council’s predicted 29,000 extra car journeys every day in the area. That has been opposed based on both unwanted road congestion and what is now called the global heating emergency.

Given the limited nature of this consultation, I want to submit comments on only a single issue. That is the nature of the design integration study for the station.

Barnet Council's Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee decided on 17 September 2018 to “Authorise Officers to undertake a design integration study to assess how the WLO line (Dudding Hill line) could link into Brent Cross West Station. The £50k cost estimate for the study will be funded from the Thameslink budget”.

As the committee was told:

“As reported to the last Committee, the Council Officers have undertaken an initial review for the potential station on the WLO line (Dudding Hill line) to link into Brent Cross West Station.  There are a number of options for configuring platform arrangements for a potential station.

“Subject to Committee approval, the Council is proposing to undertake a design integration study to understand potential preliminary designs for the station that would integrate with the new Brent Cross West Thameslink Station. This would allow passive provision to be provided, if possible, within the Brent Cross West station.  This review will also need to respond to other constraints such as the existing Brent Curve Junction and the Hendon Lines. 

“Consequently, the Committee is asked to authorise Officers to undertake a design integration study to assess how the WLO line (Dudding Hill line) could link into Brent Cross West Station.  The £50k cost estimate will be funded from the Thameslink budget.”

That public-sector design study clearly and unambiguous falls within the scope of provisions of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters of 1988, a convention ratified by the UK.

You must open the study’s findings to what the Supreme Court would consider to be appropriate levels of public participation. Furthermore, that consultation must be in advance of incorporating the study’s findings into any Brent Cross West station planning application. Otherwise, we will challenge you in law, using our London-wide expertise and resources.

Please also note that the submission version of the London Borough of Brent Plan has a policy of 8-carriage-length platforms (perhaps provided passively) at any Dudding Hill line stations within the London Borough of Brent. 

That allows future inter-regional trains, running tangentially to central London, to stop at Brent’s growth area stations, as well as short London Overground trains running on this London orbital route.

That aspiration has also been included in community submissions to the Mayor’s London Plan, currently under examination by the Planning Inspectorate.

If and when there is a Dudding Hill Line station at Old Oak Common Lane station, it is also likely that the London Borough of Ealing will require 8-carriage platforms, given that other platforms at that station are already being so specified by Transport for London.

Therefore, the specification within your Dudding Hill line integration study will need to reflect these current and future policies of neighbouring boroughs. You cannot credibly avoid provision for 8-carriage platforms at Brent Cross West station.

Alison Hopkins

Caroline Lucas speaks out against President Trump

This is the full version of Caroline Lucas' speech. I recorded it from within the crowd so you can't see her but it is the words that are important.

What are the true costs of living in Quintain's Wembley Park development?

The PR sell

One of the costs to residents of living in the Wembley Park development is of course disruption during events as experienced at an extreme level over the Bank Holiday weekend. Critics argue that by choosing to live on top of the national stadium residents could expect no different - but what about other costs?

The Wembley Park Residents' Association has been in talks with Cllr Butt, Quintain and housing associations over rapidly rising service charges at two of the first buildings in what was orginally named Wembley City. Residents of Quadrant Court and Forum House have seen service charges rise from £90 per calendar month to £200 pcm.

It appears that residents are being asked to contribute to the costs associated with the Wembley Park Estate, which is a form of private 'public realm' as well as maintenance etc of their own blocks. The WPRA has requested Audit Reports, the Asset Management Report and detailed breakdown of the changes from First Port, the management agents. They have also asked for Quintain to provide detailed maps of how the money is being apportioned on the estate. 

Residents claimed that they were being double-charged: Service Charge and Council Tax. Cllr Butt undertook to look at the case for a Council Tax rebate which would subsidise Wembley Park Estate costs.

Clearly we must await details of any such scheme but there is bound to be opposition if that is seen, following the Wembley steps affair, as another example of Brent Council in effect handing money over to Quintain.

Preston Community Library issues statement on redevelopment of the site

The proposed new building

As of this morning there are 70 comments on the Brent Council Planning Portal for this development all of which object to the proposed new building which contains a community library space as well as 12 'affordable' flats in a 2 to 4 storey building.

A wider question is whether the community library can survive if the plans do not go through. Brent Council has a policy of realising the value of its property through development but in this case has not chosen to build flats at market prices but instead to address the need for more local housing at affordable levels.

Comments objecting or supporting the application can be made HERE

Harlesden Area Action Meeting - June 8th

Fresh on the heels of the adoption of the Harlesden Neighbourhood Plan comes this meeting of Harlesden Area Action.

The meeting is on Saturday June 8th 10.30 - Noon at the Royal Oak, 95 High Street, NW10 4TS.

 Come meet your neighbours, councillors for updates and voice your concerns.

Guest speakers:

Clean Air for Brent and Safer Kids

Together Against Trump June 3rd - 4th

From Together Against Trump

The national demonstration against Trump on Tuesday 4 June will be assembling at 11am at Trafalgar Square, marching to Downing Street and then to Parliament Square, creating a Trump-free zone and Carnival of Resistance.

The nearest station is Charing Cross Station (Bakerloo and Northern lines). To avoid the main crowds and the possibility of disruption, use Embankment, Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square stations. Westminster is the closest station for the Parliament Square rally.

What else is happening during Trump’s State Visit?

There will protests against Trump at every stage of his visit including outside Buckingham Palace during the State Banquet on Monday 3rd, outside Downing Street when he meets Theresa May on Tuesday 4th and in Portsmouth on Wednesday 5th. Below is a comprehensive list of the events taking place around the country during Trump’s visit between Monday 3rd and Wednesday 5th June.

Monday 3rd June

Protest at the Palace: Spoil Trump’s banquet

What: Donald Trump is coming to a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Monday 3 June, as part of his state visit. We say he doesn’t deserve this red-carpet treatment and we plan to make ourselves heard right outside the palace as he turns up. Bring pots and pans, vuvuzelas, musical instruments etc and make some noise!
When: 5:30pm
Where: Gather outside Buckingham Palace, on the green on Spur Road
See Facebook event here

The People’s Banquet
What: When President Trump comes to the UK for the pomp and ceremony of a state visit, we are calling on women and allies to join us for a People’s Banquet and to share words of love and peace.
When: 7pm
Where: Parliament Square
See Facebook event here

Protests also taking place on Monday 3rd June around the country from 5pm onwards in Bangor, Birmingham, Brixton, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Leamington Spa, Manchester, Newcastle, and Nottingham.

Tuesday 4th June

Trump Baby
What: Trump Baby will be making a return and will fly over Parliament Square for two hours on Tuesday morning. A smaller version will be placed at ground level along the Together Against Trump march route throughout the day for protesters to take pictures with!
When: 9:30am – 11am
Where: Parliament Square

Together Against Trump – stop the state visit national demonstration
What: Donald Trump is coming to Britain for a state visit. Let’s show him what we think of his divisive, hateful policies! We will be taking to the streets opposing Trump’s racism, themed areas will feature throughout the protest with climate justice, migrants’ rights, anti-racism, Women’s rights, LGBT rights, anti-war and trade union rights and many more.

When: 11am – 4pm
Where: We will be assembling in Trafalgar Square from 11 am on Tuesday 4 June to declare a Trump free zone. We will then march down Whitehall and have a rally by the Women’s Memorial close to Downing Street, and then march round to Parliament Square for the closing rally. The route map will be available soon.
See Facebook event here

BREAKING: Harlesden residents vote to approve Harlesden Area Plan

Brent Council Press Release May 31st:

Harlesden residents will now have influence over developments in their local area after 89.61 per cent of voters chose to support a new neighbourhood plan. 

The Harlesden Neighbourhood plan was created by the Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum. It sets out a vision for the area and contains planning policies and community aspirations to achieve it.

The fifteen-year vision offered by the plan includes developing Harlesden whilst at the same time preserving its distinct heritage and resolving some of the challenges faced by its residents, such as rising living costs and access to employment.

The plan was supported by 1139 voters who came out to vote in a local referendum on 30 May and was rejected by 132 voters. It is now set to become a statutory document and will guide development within the area alongside other planning policies.

Cllr Tatler,Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Highways and Planning, said:

We’re working with residents to create a future fit for all and to get regeneration right. The community members of the Harlesden Neighborhood Forum put a lot of hard work into creating this neighborhood plan and they now have the support of the local residents to make it a legal document.

Brent councillor reveals enduring Tory prejudice

It used to be that Conservative politicians looked down their noses at council house tenants. The fact that in the 21st century that prejudice hasn't gone away has been revealed by Brent Tory councillor Michael Maurice.  In an email  seen by Wembley Matters he outlines reasons for his opposition to the redevelopment of the Preston Library site. They include a claim that  a four storey building will be out of keeping with the suburban neighbourhood and that the additional population will impact on parking (Maurice is a parking obsessive).

It appears however that what really gets his goat is that the flats will be 100% affordable and some or all may be social housing. He assumes that such tenants will automatically be trouble:

We also fear that the new flats may lead to an increase in anti social behaviour and whilst many of you do not live near the library, some of us do and this could seriously affect  us.

Cllr Maurice is a former member of Brent Planning Committee which has approved many extremely unaffordable housing applications...