Wembley Matters has been trying to draw attention to the huge bills facing residents attached to District Heating Networks as they are classified as uncapped commercial rates.
Good to see this MP calling for government action.
WEMBLEY MATTERS News and views on local politics, the environment, climate change, culture and local history
Thursday, 7 April 2022
Wednesday, 6 April 2022
List of candidates standing for election to Brent Council - polling day May 5th 2022
Election notices
Statement of Persons Nominated
Little change post-consultation in the Neasden Stations Growth Area Supplementary Planning Document which sets out far-reaching changes to the area over the next 20 plus years
The last Cabinet of these dying days of the current Brent Labour adminstration is set to approve the extremely far-reaching Neasden Stations Growth Area Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) following consultation.
Very little has been changed as the result of the consultation and the Council's responses make it clear that the designation of the area as a tall building zone will limit what tweaking may be done on individual planning applications within the scheme.
The Severn Way and Selbie Residents Association, who occupy the island of low rise housing between the two high-rise sites (see the middle of the image above) are clearly worried about their future, especially the mention of compulsory purchase orders. I am not sure that the Council's response will allay their fears:
It is
recognised that the inclusion of Severn Way and Selbie Avenue properties
within the site allocation may be of concern to
existing residents.
However, the borough's housing needs and targets set in the London Plan are very high compared to historic levels. This, together with national policies and those within the London Plan, which promote the most effective use of land near railway stations, has meant that the Council has had to consider the potential of sites with higher levels of public accessibility in the borough to be used much more intensively.
The existing and potential public
transport improvements in this area, together with the
obvious availability of large areas of land around the stations
for redevelopment, has resulted in the identification of
the Neasden Stations
Growth Area. This is not unlike
numerous other parts of the borough where people
currently live, which from a planning policy perspective, are
acceptable for redevelopment for more intensive
residential development.
Currently, as set out in the SPD,
it is not considered likely in the short to medium term that
the Selbie Avenue/ Severn Way estate will come
forward for comprehensive redevelopment. Although many of
the homes are still owned by the Council, other sites
are more of a priority for delivering greater intensity of
use of land to accommodate much needed affordable homes. The
Council in regeneration schemes at South
Kilburn has engaged with occupiers and leaseholders
throughout the renewal process. It has offered better
quality homes for tenants and options for leaseholders
either on-site or through financial compensation that more
than adequately addresses needs. The Council will
always look to work with existing tenants/ property
owners to effectively address any issues through
co-operation and agreement, rather than the compulsory
purchase alternative, which is rarely used. The allocation in
the Local Plan and the development that comes forward on
adjacent sites is likely to increase property values
considerably above those that currently exist as the area's
potential is realised, to the benefit of existing property owners.
Section 7 on Delivery shows the
phasing plan from 0 to 20+ years within NSGA. However,
the phasing plan in section 7 will be updated to show
the timeline for the short/medium and long term.
Pinnacle Investment, the likely developers for the College of North West London, Dudden Hill site, seem keen to limit commitments:
[We] Support overriding vision for growth and principles set out within the SPD. The SPD should clarify that the delivery of high-density development within this identified Growth Area is not linked or dependent on the delivery of this infrastructure project. (Such as the West London Orbital) as it already benefits from excellent transport links. Support the need for infrastructure identified in the SPD and interested in engaging with residents to establish infrastructure priorities. Supportive of the principles set out within the SPD.
The SPD should clarify and explain that the indicative figures stated for each site are not intended to guide or limit the development amount and opportunity. The guidance should not be overly prescriptive and refer to “two 0.2ha pocket parks”. This requirement has not been informed by a detailed feasibility study and there are other relevant planning policies regarding the appropriate quantum of open space and communal space.
Remove reference to the need to deliver health infrastructure removed unless there is a clear known need.
A District Heating Network is also queried. Although a medium-term sustainable option it is also affected by the current energy situation in that the energy cap does not apply to residents served by such systems.
Pam Laurance suggested:
Access to their own outdoor space. Range of different kind ofgreen space catering to different user groups, kids, youth,adults. Places for people to meet; pubs, bars, laundrettes, parents and toddler groups etc.
And did get a positive response:
We acknowledge the suggestions made regarding the kind of spaces and need for focused community activities. We will include these suggestions within the character area section that showcases future characteristics of the area.
Please note that all development proposals on individual sites are subject to statutory consultation as they come forward for planning determination. This will be an opportunity for you to provide further feedback on the detailed proposals.
Pam was less successful in her comment that the housing provided should be truly affordable with enough space:
The draft SPD Section 6.4 Development principles -DP4 New and affordable homes set out recommendations based on London Plan Policy H4 Delivering Affordable Housing and Brent Local Plan Policy BH5 Affordable Housing. Any development coming forward must adhere to the policy requirements set out in the London Plan and Brent Local Plan on affordability and mixed tenure developments
This restates the status quo that has been far from satisfactory.
The decision the Cabinet will take on Monday, without any meaningful public debate, will have far reaching consequences for the people of the borough over the next 20 years or so.
The full report on the consultation with the Council's responses can be found here:
The full Masterplan is here:
BRENT CYCLING CAMPAIGN ELECTION HUSTINGS - April 20th 7-9pm
From Brent Cycling Campaign
BRENT CYCLING CAMPAIGN ELECTION HUSTINGS
Wednesday April 20th 7pm-9pm
St Catherine’s Church, Neasden Lane, London, NW10 1QB
The May local election will be like no other. The next four years will determine what happens to Brent for the foreseeable future in terms of resilience as we face the biggest challenge of our time.
Transport is a major contributor to pollution and enabling people to transition to sustainable travel will be pivotal to decarbonisation and reducing harmful emissions. Here's your chance to ask how they will deliver the change we need?
Should the health situation change, we will hold this event online.
Candidates:
- The Green Party: Nathan Williams (Kilburn)
- The Liberal Democrats: Councillor Anton Georgiou (Alperton)
- The Labour Party: Councillor Neil Nerva (Queens Park)
- The Conservatives: TBC
The Hustings will be chaired by Sarah Green, a local resident and human rights campaigner (formerly End Violence Against Women Coalition and Amnesty International), and a Brent school Governor.
We are collating questions in advance and there will be a chance to ask directly at the event, feel free to email yours if you wish at: brent@lcc.org.uk.
Tuesday, 5 April 2022
Exhibition on proposed development of 390-406 High Road Wembley Thursday 7th April and Saturday 9th April
The transformation of Wembley High Road on the east side is due to continue with this development by Regal London. Details will be available at the exhibition but it appears to add to the tall buildings on either side of this main route from Wembley Triangle up to the 'Twin Towers' at the junction with Park Lane.
Residents will be concerned about the over-shadowing of current low-rise properties as well as the overall densification of the area
Thames Water will continue to flush Wealdstone Brook over the summer months to prevent the build-up of smells
Following reports on Wembley Matters about the problems in the Wealdstone Brook, Neil Levy, Thames Water field operations specialist said:
We were made aware of suspected pollution in Wealdstone Brook and have been working hard to clean up the watercourse.
We first received reports of odour from the brook in March, however due to location of the watercourse, its steep banks and the large operational equipment and tankers we needed to use, we first had to ensure our engineers could safely carry out the work before they were able to flush and clean the river on Monday April 4th.
During the clean-up, our team found and removed waste including rotten food and bird seed and objects from the river, which we don’t believe came from the sewer system. There was also evidence of pollution from misconnected pipes, which allow household waste to get in to the surface water sewer rather than the foul network.
Over the summer months we’ll continue to flush the brook to help prevent the build-up of smells and we’ll continue to work with local councils and residents on tackling misconnected businesses and properties.
For information
- Over the last eight years, Thames Water has spent over £500,000 in catchment investigations, sewer maintenance and repairs to reduce the pollution to Wealdstone Brook.
- Wastewater can unintentionally crossover from the foul to the surface through various methods, such as through defects in the sewers that can lead to wastewaster escaping through tiny holes and cracks, blockages or misconnected properties (when a residence incorrectly connects foul drains into a surface sewer).
- All household goods should be plumbed into the wastewater sewer network, so the water can be taken away and treated. Misconnected pipes from household appliances can allow wastewater to get in to surface water sewers, which are designed to hold rainwater and drain into natural watercourses. Find out more information about misconnections and how to avoid them.
Hard-hitting school leaders' Open Letter to Secretary of State condemns 'continued failure to respond to the genuine and increasingly acute experience of our members'
School leaders concerned about the current pressures on the education system have issued an Open Letter to Nadhim Zahawi Secretary of State for Education. They do not mince their words.
Dear Secretary of State
As the trade unions and professional associations
representing the vast majority of school and college leaders across the UK, we are deeply concerned about your government’s
apparent lack of concern and support for the pupils and staff in our schools and colleges as we move
into the next phase of the pandemic.
Our members tell us that Covid-related disruption has been greater in many schools and colleges over the last few weeks than at any previous point during the pandemic. The latest government figures on attendance in education settings showed that Covid-related pupil absence on 17 March was 2.5% (up from 0.7% the previous fortnight), and teacher and leader absence was 9.1% (up from 5.8%). Almost a quarter of schools had more than 15% of their teachers and leaders absent. Anecdotally, our members tell us that the situation has worsened further in the intervening period.
In the face of this extensive and ongoing disruption, the government’s
decision to remove free access to symptomatic and asymptomatic testing
for almost all pupils and staff feels reckless in the extreme. The government has also provided no evidence for its suggestion that
children who do manage to obtain tests should only isolate for three
days, rather than the five days recommended for adults. Together with a large number of other education organisations, we wrote to you on 9 March
asking for tests to remain available to those working in our schools and
colleges with possible symptoms of Covid, in order to reduce disruption to education. We have not received a response to that letter.
This ongoing disruption also makes the government’s
decision to publish Key Stage 4 and 5 performance tables this
year, and to share the results of Key Stage 2 tests with Ofsted, even more
inappropriate. As we have pointed out on many occasions, this plan seemed misguided when it
was first announced; given the current situation in our schools
and colleges it now feels frankly absurd.
These decisions have consequences. Failing to control the transmission of Covid in schools and colleges is making it increasingly difficult for leaders to keep their settings open, and to ensure pupils receive a high- quality education when they are there. This is compounding the educational disruption children and young people have already suffered over the last two years, which will affect their future opportunities.
Allowing large numbers of staff and pupils to contract Covid, often multiple times, also has implications for their long-term health.
Refusing to recognise the impact on leaders, teachers, schools and
communities of publishing inaccurate and meaningless data on school
performance adds to the extreme stress under which education staff have been operating for more than two years now, and will exacerbate the
recruitment and retention crisis that has been building for
several years. Many members are telling us that this is the final straw which
is leading them to step down from school or college leadership. We
simply cannot afford, as a society, to treat leaders and teachers in this way.
If the government wants to gain the support of school and college leaders as it starts to take forward the policies in its recently published schools white paper and SEND green paper, it needs to do much more to support them with the current situation they face. It must reconsider its premature decision to end free access to Covid tests for symptomatic staff and pupils in schools and colleges, and it must commit to not publishing performance tables, or using this year’s Key Stage 2, GCSE, A level or vocational exam results for any form of accountability, this year.
We have consistently made representations to you on these issues during
our meetings with you, your Permanent Secretary and your
senior officials. You will have noticed that these representations have become stronger and more frequent as a result of your continued failure to
respond to the genuine and increasingly acute experience of our members.
Given the strength of feeling from our members on these issues, we are
therefore taking the unusual step of making this an open letter. We
look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Geoff Barton, General Secretary, ASCL
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary, NAHT
Monday, 4 April 2022
Hurray! Thames Water turns up to flush sewage from the Wealdstone Brook
Sewage pouring into the Wealdstone Brook
Local residents were delighted today when Thames Water turned up to flush out the Wealdstone Brook. The action followed weeks of campaigning and complaints to both the Environment Agency and Thames Water.
Households and care homes backing on to the brook were experiencing their 6th week of continuous pollution with the pungent bad egg odour evident to all. Residents were unable to open their windows because of the potentially dangerous gases filling their rooms. Brent Council had told the Environment Agency that one gas could be hydrogen sulfide LINK . Campaigners had suggested that a criminal negligence case could be possible over the lack of action by Thames Water, despite a total of at least 7 complaints over the problem.
Thames had promised to begin work on cleansing the brook at the weekend. Both cleaning the river and testing of the gas with specialist equipment costs money which the the Forum thought Thames appeared reluctant to spend LINK.
They suggested air samples could be taken from conservatories and the rear communal lounges of care homes as well as bedrooms. With children at home for the school holiday and families celebrating various religious holidays together it was important that any illnesses and potential gas poisoning should be reported.
Brent Parks Forum also feared that any wild life that had been in the brook at the important microbial level has probably been damaged beyond repair.
The action was long overdue and Wembley Matters hope that the flushing works and we are able to update readers with far more pleasant images of the brook.
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