Cllr Gill taunts "well resourced families'" concerned about QPCS 3G plans

Cllr Gill, (Brondesbury Park), is very dismissive of residents concerned about noise and light pollution from the proposed 3G pitch installation at Queens Park Community School. As well as school and community provision the facility will also be a commercial enterprise open at weekends and until 9pm at night.

On his comment LINK in support of the school's planning application he say on light pollution, 'The very well resourced families opposite can get black-out blinds' and on noise pollution, 'The very well resourced families living opposite can get double or even triple glazing.'

He adds, "Over the next ten years THOUSANDS of people (mainly local CHILDREN) will benefit from this pitch and for only a very small number of people (less than half a dozen families, who are very well-resourced and thus well able to offset the very minor issues this will cause them) will it have any negative impact."

Directing divisive comments at specific local households hardly seems to conform to the standards expected of councillors.

Save Bridge Park hails a milestone legal victory as their case against Brent Council continues

http://bridgeparkcomplex.com/blog/

Brent Council says air quality is not a problem for new school in Neasden Lane

Mayor of London on Clean Air

In a previous posting LINK I raised concerns about the siting of a new school in Neasden Lane because of its history of poor air quality which in the past have been raised in Parliamemt by then MP Sarah Teather and with the GLA through Mayor's Question Time. At one stage pollution levels were in clear breach of EU regulations. The monitoring site was one of those which Boris Johnson, when London Mayor, was accused of 'fixing' by the installation of dust suppressants at the monitoring station.

Brent Council has taken action to 'clean up' the pollution  LINK but has admitted that more needs to be done.

I should make it clear that I am not against a new secondary school in the Harlesden area, there has long been a campaign for a community secondary school there, but I am raising questions about the specific site chosen.  This is particularly important when Brent Council through Brent Breathes is setting out to improve air quality near existing schools and cites particular issues when existing schools are on busy roads. Full Brent Breathes Report HERE see section on schools.

Planners have reacted to the Wembley Matters article with the following statement in a supplementary report presented to tonight's Planning Committee.  There are also supplementary reports for the Sudbury Town and Ujima House planning appplications.

Air Quality

The site falls within an AQMA a recent publication by Wembley Matters raised concern with allowing a new school in an area with poor air quality, particularly an open roof MUGA. As discussed in the main body of the report, the application site has been identified as being one of the ones in the borough suitable to accommodate a school. 

The London Plan places great emphasis on the importance of tackling air pollution and improving air quality. It therefore states that development proposals should minimise exposure to existing poor air quality and make provision to address local problems of air quality such as by design solutions, buffer zones or steps to promote greater use of sustainable transport modes. 

The development makes a particular contribution through promoting greater use of sustainable transport modes. The existing Chancel House site currently benefits from a large car parking area with 189 car parking spaces. Under the proposed scheme only 11 spaces are to be retained. To further discourage car use to the site a travel plan is to be secured via the s106 agreement to promote walking and cycling to the site. Sustainable transport modes are also promoted through on site cycle parking provision and the contribution to TfL for local bus services. 

As required by the London Plan, the application has been accompanied by an Air Quality Assessment and an Air Quality Neutral Assessment. The submitted Air Quality Assessment concludes that air quality levels would not exceed air quality objectives when the site is operational, with the Air Quality Neutral Assessment confirming that the development is better than air quality neutral in terms of both transport and building emissions. 

The submission therefore demonstrates that air quality in the area will not have an adverse impact on the proposed school, and that the proposed development will not worsen air quality.

Brent publishes a draft of its Covid19 Transport Recovery Plan

From Brent Council

COVID-19 has disrupted our daily travel habits. As lockdown restrictions are eased, we want to support and encourage people to adopt greener, more active forms of transport. We have developed a plan to introduce short, medium and longer-term improvements in the borough. The plan supports social distancing, walking and cycling, as well as a reduction in car use.

Draft measures include: new low traffic neighbourhoods, school streets, new pop up cycle lanes and bike parking, further pavement widening in town centres, and bus supporting measures. We have submitted an application for £100,000 of DfT funding and making bids to TfL for schemes under their £45m London Streetspace Programme. Schemes will commence shortly as funding becomes available. It will be periodically reviewed to include new interventions to address emerging priorities.

Please email highways&infrastructure@brent.gov.uk if you have any comments or suggestions.

We will be shortly launching an interactive platform to make it easier for residents to make suggestions and comment on our plans.

Draft Plan




For more information

• Transport Recovery Plan programme (.pdf, 1.49MB)
• Low traffic neighbourhood examples (.pdf, 1.07MB)

Local Covid19 testing site to open tomorrow for Harlesden residents

From Brent Council

A new local COVID-19 testing site will open in Harlesden Town Garden on Wednesday 10 June for local residents.

As this area has one of the highest death tolls from COVID-19 in the UK, it’s hoped that the testing site will help to drive down these numbers by ensuring that those who have symptoms can get tested in an easily accessible location locally. If they test positive they can then take the necessary steps to self-isolate at home and prevent the spread of the virus.

This will be key to supporting those who may not be able to travel to one of the other test centres.

Leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt said:

“COVID-19 has not gone away and it is still killing people in our community.

“I am urging any local residents, if they have symptoms, to get tested now to protect yourself and others, and help to stop the spread of this virus.”

Key information:

Where will the site be located?

The testing site will be at Harlesden Town Garden, Challenge Close, Harlesden, NW10 4BF.

When can I get a test?

The testing site will be open from Wednesday 10 June. Appointments will be available every day from 10am-5pm.

Tests must be booked by calling us 020 8937 4440. The line will be open seven days a week from 9am-5pm.

Who can book a test?

You can book a test if:

• You have symptoms of COVID-19
• You can travel to the test site on foot or by motorcycle or bicycle and don’t need to use public transport
• You have access to a face covering
• You adhere to social distancing at all times, when travelling to and from the site

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Most people with COVID-19 will have at least one of these symptoms:

• A high temperature
• Or a new cough
• Or a change in sense of taste or smell

If you have any of these symptoms, you should book a test.

What do I need to bring to the test with me?

You must bring a valid form of ID, proof of your appointment confirmation email and a face covering.
If you do not have a valid form of ID or access to a mobile phone or have an email account, please discuss this when making your appointment.

Can I bring my family members with me?

Only those being tested should be at the test site. If you can’t leave your family at home, they may come with you but must wear a face covering however children under the age of 2 will not be permitted as it would be unsafe for them to wear a face covering.

What do I do while I’m waiting for my appointment or my test results?

While you are waiting for your appointment or your test result, you and everyone in your household must stay at home to prevent the spread of the infection.

When will I get my results?

Test results will not be held by the council. The testing site will send you your test results by email and text message within 24 – 72 hours of completing the test. If you don’t have an email address or a phone number, you can contact 119 for your results.
For more information about COVID-19, visit www.brent.gov.uk/coronavirus

Murder investigation launched over death of sisters in Fryent Country Park

From  the Metropolitan Police LINK

Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command are investigating the deaths of two women in Wembley.

Police were called to Fryent Country Park, Slough Lane at 13:08hrs on Sunday, 7 June to a report of two women found unresponsive.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

While formal identification awaits, police are confident that the deceased are sisters Nicole Smallman, 27, and Bibaa Henry, 46, who lived in Harrow and Brent respectively.

Next of kin have been informed. Their family are being supported by specially trained officers.

Post-mortem examinations will be scheduled in due course.

Detectives have begun an extensive investigation to fully establish what happened.

At this stage Nicole and Bibaa are thought to have been among a group of around 10 people who congregated in the park from around 19:00hrs on Friday, 5 June to celebrate Bibaa’s birthday.

Gradually people are believed to have left throughout the evening until only Nicole and Bibaa remained.

They were both reported as missing to police late on Saturday, 6 June when they did not return home, before they were discovered on Sunday.

Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command (Homicide) are investigating, with the assistance of officers from the North West Command Unit.

The deaths are being treated as suspicious and a murder investigation has begun.

An extensive crime scene remains in the park.

There have been no arrests.

Senior investigating officer DCI Simon Harding said:

“We are in the very early stages of the investigation and are working hard to find out what led to these two women losing their lives. Their families have been devastated by their loss and they need answers. They have asked that their privacy is respected at this time as they come to terms with this horrific incident.

“I need to hear from anyone who was in Fryent Country Park on the evening of Friday, 5 June, or early into Saturday, 6 June. The area the group were situated in is around a five minute walk from the Valley Drive entrance of the park, leading to a hill area.

“The area the group were in would be a well-known spot to sit and look over London. If you were in that area of the park from the evening of 5 June through to Sunday lunchtime, noticed the group, or saw anything else suspicions, please contact us immediately.

“You may have stumbled upon items of property, but not realised the significance of them. If you did, you may well have information that could assist us hugely. No matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact us via the incident room on 0208 721 4205, or via 101.”

North West Borough Commander Roy Smith, said:

 “This is an awful incident and our thoughts are with the victims and their family.

“We are working closely with the investigation team to ensure we get answers to what has happened. Local officers will be conducting reassurance patrols and will be happy to speak to any concerned residents.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 3160/7Jun.

Alternatively, you can provide information 100% anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said:

“This is such awful and tragic news and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the two women who were found.

“Police are investigating what happened, but for the family of the two women who are today coming to terms with their loss, it’s vitally important they know the truth.

“I urge anyone who has any information at all to assist the police with their investigation and come forward.”

UPDATED Sad news from Fryent Country Park

Readers will know that I often write about Fryent Country Park on Wembley Matters and it has been a place of solace for many during the Covid19 lockdown with some local people discovering it for the first time.

So it was with heavy heart that that I heard that the bodies of two women were found near the Bush Farm entrance to the park in Salmon Street earlier today.

I'd like to express my sympathy to the families and friends of the two women for their shocking loss in this, the most stressful of times.

LINK

Today's local Black Lives Matter events - Kilburn Grange, Roundwood and Gladstone parks

Local events were organised at short notice for local people who could not attend the event in Central London. I have picked up these pictures via social media. Thanks to original posters,

Kilburn Grange Park (@Shelleb17)

Roundwood Park (@PukkahPunjabi)

Roundwood Park (Anita Whittaker)

Gladstone Park (via email)

Dawn Butler's speech at Roundwood Park  on Facebook LINK