Moody weather and bright flowers in Fryent Country Park - photographs

 

Local details for Sunday's Women's FA Cup Final

 From Brent Council

We want everyone to enjoy their visit to Wembley and the match. However we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, so please behave responsibly.

Brent Council and its partners are enforcing a No Street Drinking Zone on Olympic Way and the surrounding area for The Vitality Woman's FA Cup Final on Sunday, 14 May 2023 between Chelsea v Manchester United - Kick off 14:30

This is part of the current Public Space Protection Order.

Drink responsibly

Fans drinking on Olympic Way and the surrounding streets will be asked to hand over their alcohol and enforcement action may be considered.  We are taking these steps to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

There is a range of bars, fan zones and restaurants available  in and around Wembley where you can enjoy a meal or drink before the match. We have listed details of some of these venues below, including which ones are hosting which fans, if applicable. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Venue	Address	Phone number
Box Park	18 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0JT
The Green Man	Dagmar Avenue, Wembley, HA9 8DF	0208 9031441  07595 051937
Crystals (Sports Bar & Aqua Lounge)	1 Popin Building, Southway, HA9 0HB	02035765765 07985 195277
The Arch	324 Harrow Rd, Wembley , HA9 6LL	0208 1271141
Station 31	299-303 Harrow Rd, Wembley, HA9 6BD	0208 9000173
The Liquor Station	397A High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA	020 8903 0159
JJ Moons	397 High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA	020 8903 4923
La Regina	St George's Hotel, 43-51 Wembley Hill Rd, Wembley, HA9 8AU	020 8900 0662
Black Sheep	2 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0GU
The White Horse	4 Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley Park, HA9 0HP
The Blue Check	12 -13 Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 0RQ	020 8902 8147
Wembley Tavern	121 Wembley Park Dr, Wembley Park, HA9 8HG	07956 849648 020 8903 2955
Stadium Sports Bar	125 Wembley Park Dr, Wembley Park, HA9 8HQ	07503 000 096
The Torch	1-5 Bridge Rd, Wembley Park, HA9 9AB	02089045794
Crock of Gold	23 Bridge Road, Wembley, HA9 9AB	020 8908 6933
Swan Pub	789 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2LP	020 8904 6933
Arena Lounge	652 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2HA	020 8248 1280 07857820000
The Barrel & Corner	610-612 High Rd, Wembley HA0 2AF	020 8900 2947
Trader Wembley	87 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4BD	07411 118183
TGI Friday	1 Wembley Park Boulevard, Wembley Park, HA9 0TG
Pasta Remoli	10 Exhibition Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0FU
Masalchi by Atul Kochar	2 Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley Park, HA9 0HP
Bread Ahead	26-28 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0NP
Frankie & Benny's	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
JRC Global Buffet	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Las Iguanas	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Wagamama	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Pizza Express	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Zizzi	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Nando's	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Byron Burger	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Big Moe's	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD

Visit the London Designer Outlet website for more information on many of the restaurants listed above.

Travelling to Wembley

Wembley has great public transport connections, and as a borough we are working hard to keep our carbon footprint down. If you come to this event by car, we ask that you only use official stadium car parks. 

If you are travelling to Wembley by public transport, the Drinkaware website has some useful advice on drinking alcohol in public places. There may also be alcohol restrictions on coach services so please check before you travel.

Local details for fans attending Vanarama Final: Final Notts County v Chesterfield, on Saturday

 From Brent Council

Brent Council and its partners are enforcing a No Street Drinking Zone on Olympic Way and the surrounding area for the Vanarama National League Final:

• Saturday 13th May 2023: Notts County v Chesterfield - Kick off 15:30

This is part of the current Public Space Protection Order.

Drink responsibly

Fans drinking on Olympic Way and the surrounding streets will be asked to hand over their alcohol and enforcement action may be considered.  We are taking these steps to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

There is a range of bars, fan zones and restaurants available  in and around Wembley where you can enjoy a meal or drink before the match. We have listed details of some of these venues below, including which ones are hosting which fans, if applicable. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

East - Notts County

If you have tickets on the east side of the stadium, you can enjoy a pre-match drink or meal in the following pubs and bars. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Venue	Address	Phone number
Box Park	Olympic Way, Wembley Park, Wembley, HA9 0JT
The Blue Check	12 -13 Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 0RQ	020 8902 8147
Wembley Tavern	121 Wembley Park Dr, Wembley Park, HA9 8HG	07956 849648 020 8903 2955
Stadium Sports Bar	125 Wembley Park Dr, Wembley Park, HA9 8HQ	07503 000 096
The Torch	1-5 Bridge Rd, Wembley Park, HA9 9AB	02089045794
Crock of Gold	23 Bridge Road, Wembley, HA9 9AB	020 8908 6933

West - Chesterfield

If you have a ticket on to the west of the stadium, you can enjoy a pre-match drink or meal in the following pubs and bars.

Venue	Address	Phone number
The Green Man	Dagmar Avenue, Wembley, HA9 8DF	0208 9031441  07595 051937
Crystals (Sports Bar & Aqua Lounge)	1 Popin Building, Southway, HA9 0HB	02035765765 07985 195277
The Arch	324 Harrow Rd, Wembley , HA9 6LL	0208 1271141
Station 31	299-303 Harrow Rd, Wembley, HA9 6BD	0208 9000173
The Liquor Station	397A High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA	020 8903 0159
JJ Moons	397 High Rd, Wembley, HA9 6AA	020 8903 4923
La Regina	St George's Hotel, 43-51 Wembley Hill Rd, Wembley, HA9 8AU	020 8900 0662
Black Sheep	2 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0GU
White Horse	4 Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0HP	>020 8237 8037

London Designer Outlet and other public houses

There are a number of cafes, restaurants and bars in and around Wembley that haven't been allocated to a team where you can enjoy a meal or pre-match drink.

Visit the London Designer Outlet website for more information on many of the restaurants listed below.

Venue	Address	Phone number
Swan Pub	789 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2LP	020 8904 6933
Arena Lounge	652 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2HA	020 8248 1280 07857820000
The Barrel & Corner	610-612 High Rd, Wembley HA0 2AF	020 8900 2947
Trader Wembley	87 Ealing Road, Wembley, HA0 4BD	07411 118183
TGI Friday	1 Wembley Park Boulevard, Wembley Park, HA9 0TG
Pasta Remoli	10 Exhibition Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0FU
Masalchi by Atul Kochar	2 Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley Park, HA9 0HP
Bread Ahead	26-28 Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9 0NP
Frankie & Benny's	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
JRC Global Buffet	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Las Iguanas	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Wagamama	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Pizza Express	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Zizzi	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Nando's	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Byron Burger	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD
Big Moe's	London Designer Outlet, Wembley Park Blvd, Wembley, HA9 0FD

Travelling to Wembley

Wembley has great public transport connections, and as a borough we are working hard to keep our carbon footprint down. If you come to this event by car, we ask that you only use official stadium car parks.

• Pink car park (west of the stadium)
• Green car park (east of the stadium)

If you are travelling to Wembley by public transport, the Drinkaware website has some useful advice on drinking alcohol in public places. There may also be alcohol restrictions on coach services so please check before you travel.

Cllr Tariq Dar is to be Brent Council's next Deputy Mayor

Cllr Tariq Dar was elected Deputy Mayor for 2023-24 at yesterday's Brent Labour Group Annual General Meeting. He had 29 votes, to Tony Ethapemi's 14. There was 1 abstention. This means as far as can be forseen that Cllr Dar will be Mayor in 2024-25. 

Cllr Orleen Hylton will be appointed Mayor for 2023-24 at the Brent Council AGM.

Eco Saturday in Cricklewood on May 13th

 

Developer's proposal to add extra floors to Fairfield Court, Harlesden, at Planning Committee on Wednesday

 

Fairfield Court, Longstone Avenue, Harlesden

The site

With potential building sites at a premium the strategy is to build high on small footprint sites.  In Wembley this has been new towers but across the country it is becoming common for develpers to add extra storeys to existing buildings.

This is what is happening to the sequence of blocks making up Fairfield Court in Harlesden where the proposal to be heard at Planning Commitete on Wednesday May 10th is:

Proposed two second floor extensions and third floor extension to create six new self-contained dwellings including 4 rear dormer windows and new solar panel. Construction of two rear access staircases

The proposal would create additional floors to the building accommodating no’s 5-6 and 20-21 Fairfield Court increasing the height of the building from two- to three-storeys. The other additional floor would be above no’s 7-12 and 14-19 block of units, increasing the height from 3 to 4-storeys. Accommodation would also be provided in the roof of that block. The blocks would be composed to increase from 2 to 3 and then 4-storeys with the taller blocks situated further into the site.

Planning officer are recommending that the application be approved.

Proposed structure - blue line is current height

 The proposal has received 41 objections as recorded on the Brent Council Planning Portal, a 105 signature petition objecting to the plans and opposition for Cllr Jumbo Chan.

This objection is froma Fairfield House resident:

 

As a Fairfield Court resident, I have several reasons to object to this planning application.


This proposal not only changes the original character of this charming purpose built 1930s block but has a significant impact on the amount of light coming to the flat.


Being on the ground floor and due to the new build opposite; the flat has significantly lost light coming in. This would be exacerbated by this proposal. One of the attractions of moving into this building was the garden and amount of light. I already have a low level of sunlight into my living room- this is going to be made much worse. The daylight report makes clear that windows to my flat will be negatively and permanently impacted. To note, Fairfield suffers from damp which will worsen if both height and the staircase is added.


The data within the report about Vertical Sky Component, and No SkyLine is illegible. The conclusions are made that the impacts are not enough to reach the threshold of concern. I cannot decipher or assess the illegible data. However, the tables show that the development WILL negatively impact my flat. Saying the threshold is 20% but the damage to my flat is only 18% seems disingenuous and cruel. There is nothing to stop 18% sunlight being lost today and further 18% being lost in the near future.


The proposed staircase and its footfall would be directly outside my living room and bedroom. I would experience visual intrusion and a lack of privacy into my sitting room and front bedroom. This is not only a visual intrusion but also could add to anti-social behaviour. The space in which the proposed staircase would go has previously been closed to stop antisocial behaviour. This would overall have an overall negative impact on my quality of life and wellbeing.


I see the proposal does not speak about the increased pressure that would be on the communal garden which is well used by the number of children and families living in the block.


For example, any new 'refuse storage' construction would mean we would have to lose more of the front garden and possibly even the trees. With the proposed 'additional car and cycle parking spaces' at the front of Fairfield, would result in the loss of more of the communal front garden area, leading to more noise disturbance and air pollution caused by vehicles. There would be further limited communal garden space for residents.

 

 Planners of course see the high rise building opposite as a reason to support the proposal as it would be 'appropriate in the context' of the surrounding area.

 

The negative impact on the current attractive amenity space is  mentioned by a number of objectors. This is the developer's response.

 

As no affordable homes will be provided in the development the Council is asking for a Section 106 agreement for a payment of £300,000 from the developer for affordable housing elsewhere.

 

Officers' Report Conclusion recommending approval (Application 22/3634)

 

The proposal would not involve any private amenity space for the proposed units, however, there is a substantial amount of communal external amenity space existing within the site, with approximately 1500sq.m of shared gardens space to the rear of the buildings and additional areas to the front. This could clearly cater for the existing and proposed residents (exceeding current standards) and would provide high quality external space. Therefore, in this instance the absence of private external amenity space is accepted. It is noted that the site is also in close proximity of Roundwood Park which provides other good quality external amenity space

 

The proposal would create additional floors to the building accommodating no’s 5-6 and 20-21 Fairfield Court increasing the height of the building from two- to three-storeys. The other additional floor would be above no’s 7-12 and 14-19 block of units, increasing the height from 3 to 4-storeys. Accommodation would also be provided in the roof of that block. The blocks would be composed to increase from 2 to 3 and then 4-storeys with the taller blocks situated further into the site.

 

While officers note that the proposal would be built over some (non-designated) green space within the site, the extent of this is minimal and the submitted revised landscaping plan confirms the planting of new trees and shrubs within the site which officers consider would mitigate against impacts associated with this. Further, the proposed parking arrangements would be made of permeable paving which would be beneficial in terms of drainage.

 

While officers note that the proposal would be built over some (non-designated) green space within the site, the extent of this is minimal and the submitted revised landscaping plan confirms the planting of new trees and shrubs within the site which officers consider would mitigate against impacts associated with this. Further, the proposed parking arrangements would be made of permeable paving which would be beneficial in terms of drainage.

 

The proposal would result in the creation of six new homes, including 4 family sized homes, and a contribution towards the provision of off-site Affordable housing would be secured in line with policy. The proposal would increase the height of the existing buildings above that of some of the homes in the area. However, the resulting scale is considered appropriate when considering the full context of the site including the taller buildings on the eastern side of Longstone Avenue.

An objector has commented that the submitted daylight and sunlight assessment incorrectly assesses whether the development projects above a 25 degree line from the middle of windows of Springwell Avenue properties. This has been examined by officers and while the proposal is likely to comply with the 25 degree line taken from the objector’s property, it appears likely that it will project above a 25 degree line taken from the middle of the nearest windows of two other properties (Nos. 34 and 36). However, the presence of very large trees is likely to already significantly impact the light received by these windows and it is considered unlikely that the proposal will result in a material additional impact. Additional parking capacity would be provided through changes to the frontage parking area, and while over-spill parking is not anticipated, it is likely to be easily accommodated on street.

 

The proposal is considered to accord with the development plan when read as a whole and it is recommended that planning permission is granted.

Republic: "We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy"

Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, has issued the following statement: 

"Yesterday, as we prepared for a peaceful and lawful protest, a number of Republic's team were arrested and detained for the rest of the day.

These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country. Each and every police officer involved on the ground should hang their heads in shame. They showed no judgement, no common sense and no basic decency. This was a heavy handed action which had the appearance of a pre-determined arrest that would have occurred regardless of the evidence or our actions. 

The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists. Instead we have a freedom to protest that is contingent on political decisions made by ministers and senior police officers.

The right to dissent and protest is one of the most profound and important rights in a democracy. Many people will disagree with what we were protesting about, but that right to protest must be protected. Anyone may find themselves wanting to protest against a government policy, a grave injustice or in solidarity with victims of a visiting world leader. Such protests must always be freely conducted as a matter of right, not on the basis of permission from the state.

I have campaigned on the issue of the monarchy for twenty years. Time and again I have been told the monarchy protects us from tyranny, that the monarch guards our democracy and freedoms, defending us against the excesses of government. These arrests put the lie to those claims and are another example of the weakness of our constitution and the failure of our constitutional monarchy.

The Crown is one part of our failing constitution that concentrates too much power in the hands of government at the expense of parliament and people. We need a fundamental shift in power. We need elected representatives who are able to resist such draconian laws as those introduced this week, and a constitution that empowers the people to defend their rights.

These arrests have also destroyed whatever trust might have existed between peaceful protesters and the Metropolitan police. What is the point in being open and candid with the police, working with their liaison officers and meeting senior commanders, if all their promises and undertakings turn out to be a lie?

It is notable that King Charles has said nothing about these arrests. Rather than defend our liberty and values he is content celebrating his anointment as monarch while citizens are locked up. What is the point of a head of state who will say nothing and do nothing to defend the people?

These arrests were not about protecting people from harm, but about protecting the King from embarrassment. It was the state wanting to stamp down dissent in order to present an image of a grateful and consenting public at the time of the coronation.

Rather than a puppet-king, doing the bidding of the government, we need an independent elected head of state, there to stand on the wall and guard our constitution and our rights from government power. 

Republic has a strong track record of peaceful and lawful campaigning and protests. We will not be deterred from further protest. We will protest on Trafalgar Square, we will protest on The Mall, outside Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace. We will protest outside Downing Street and parliament, in Windsor and around the UK. As much as possible we will  continue to protest wherever Charles goes, wherever William goes. We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy."

Lack of transparency on Islamia Primary School move is becoming a scandal

 The consultation on the move of Islamia Primary School from its Queens Park site finished in November 2022 and since then there has been a wall of silence from the Yusif Islam Foundation, the school and Brent Council. The school is due to move in September 2024 after refurbishment and new build on the former Strathcona site in Preston ward.

The result is anger, frustration and rumour from parents and community.

I have lodged an FoI result with Brent Council to try and get some very basic information LINK:

Dear Brent Borough Council,

Please provide:

1. Details of the outcome of the public consultation on the proposed move of Islamia Primary School that was completed in November 2022.
2. Update on when the school will move and operate on its new site (previously proposed for September 2024).
3. Update on any statutory consultation.

The Twitter account  Dignity Custodians has been very vocal from the beginning of the relocation proposals. 

Hello

@YusufCatStevens

a member of staff told parents that the Foundation planned to use vacated premises for the independent schools & a feeder primary school. Is this why you want

@IslamiaPrimary

as far away as possible? #Strathcona #Profit

@WembleyMatters

@Brent_Council

 

This confirms what a member of the governing body told a group of parents 3 years ago when there were attempts to turn the school into a one Form Entry and give priority to siblings of pupils attending the independent schools which was in breach of the #AdmissionsCode.

 

This GB member also said that

@Brent_Council

gave Islamia a "poor" catchment area and suggested Somali parents open their own school. The school's admissions policy has recently been found " unlawful and discriminatory " by the #OSA. Parents have reasons to fear discrimination.