WEMBLEY MATTERS News and views on local politics, the environment, climate change, culture and local history
Brent Council licensing today confirmed that the application to run a pre-carnival event in Fryent Country Park on July 5th and July 6th 2025 has been withdrawn and the event will not take place. The application was made by Mingle UK Ltd.
See article on the plans HERE.
Alasdair Balfour, a Queen's Park resident presented a petition to Brent Cabinet today setting out the case for halting the current engagement process:
Background
My name is Alastair Balfour, and I live on Chevening Road in Queen’s Park. A lovely street, in a lovely neighbourhood. I should support the MP Smarter Travel (“MPST”) traffic proposals as they appear to benefit me. But having experienced the utter chaos that the current temporary traffic restrictions have wrought on the wider neighbourhood, it is evident that the proposals are ill conceived, unfair and simply push the problem onto less fortunate neighbours in the ward. These trial schemes have created division among residents and gambled with the health and safety of thousands of children who attend schools on the boundary roads. Sadly, after years of false starts, real damage is being done to our community and to the trust they have in Brent’s approach to this topic.
In the weeks since the MPST meeting on November 4th, our petition has had over 1,400 signatures, a leaflet was produced and delivered to over 2,000 residents, a video has been made and circulated on social media, and newspapers are beginning to pick up the story. This has all been done by volunteers who feel let down, and who care for their neighbourhood. This outpouring of opposition is years in the making.
The MPST engagement is so flawed that it cannot produce reliable results. The catchment thinking is too narrow, the engagement materials were confusing, the online questionnaire was changed mid-engagement and never effectively communicated as promised. There was clearly no technical analysis which stands behind the proposals. And even Councillors and residents benefitting from the schemes oppose the options.
MPST are not traffic management experts, their mission is modal shift and nothing else. They lack clear objectives and indicators of success or failure. And without proper stakeholder definitions, they do not know even who they are solving for.
Proposed Way Forward
We understand that this is a highly complex issue, and we do not have all the answers. But it is patently clear that if this cabinet is serious about improving the situation it needs to start from square one and go back to basics. This requires joined up thinking, reflecting all stakeholders and doing hard work first. We must stop wasting money on projects that are doomed to fail. The skills and resources exist within the community to assist Brent in developing a project roadmap, defining the problems, crafting solutions, thus ensuring transparent engagement and community support. These offers of help and expertise have been rejected in the past. We ask whether Brent will accept them now, especially when budgets are so tight and resources so constrained.
All community groups (including residents associations) have always argued for wider consultation and a genuinely transparent cooperative process. There is a clear view of how to deliver success which can be shared with councillors at the appropriate time. But this must be done with total transparency, coordination, and consensus. Who better to facilitate this than the residents in the community. We understand the complex trade-offs required.
In conclusion, I want to thank you Cllr Butt for giving me the opportunity to speak today, and for confirming that this petition will be considered as part of this engagement process. But if you are serious about finding a path forward, we now need action over and above telling us that we have been heard. I am therefore requesting a commitment from the cabinet to the following three points:
Stop the flawed MPST engagement (it is so tainted that it only fuels anger)
Halt all hyper local traffic schemes until a data-led, wider area impact assessment can be provided
Sit down with local thought leaders to i) define the most pressing traffic problems (focused on boundary roads and schools), ii) agree the process roadmap which the entire community can support and commit real resources behind and iii) to use utmost transparency in all behaviour, data sharing and communication.
We have mobilised a significant amount of support from across the community in recent weeks, and we owe those neighbours an update on how the cabinet responds.
We want to bring everyone together to support the council’s objectives for a healthy neighbourhood – who would not? But we must learn from past mistakes, plan properly and deliver improvements for the many and not just a select few.
The response from Cllr Krupa Sheth, the Lead Cabinet Member responsible for the environment can be seen at 06.20 on the video above, Queen's Park councillor Neil Nerva at 08.17 and and Brent Council Leader, Muhammed Butt at 10.25. You can make you own minds up as to whether they commit to the three points raised by Alasdair Balfour.
After the meet a local resident said:
Many residents watching online were bemused when Cllr Butt said at the end that Brent had 43 or 44 successful Healthy Neighbourhood schemes in place.. One said "We look forward to seeing his list. But I can only imagine he's referring to School Streets? To our knowledge, four years on from the first set of attempts, Brent has just one LTN running - in Harlesden and Stonebridge. A status update on that one was expected last April but has not yet appeared. Four of the first batch were implemented but had to be withdrawn before the trial ended because they were not working.
Later attempts at designing a feasible scheme that could gain community support in Kilburn and Queen's Park Wards have failed - and the current "Engagement" has all the flaws in the speech given this morning"
Credit: Quintainliving.com
Quintain the developer behind the huge Wembley Park project has revealed losses of more that £700m before taxation in delayed 2023 accounts recently filed. This compares with a profit of £140 before taxation in 2022. LINK TO FULL ACCOUNTS
The Quintain board said:
The group has a clear business plan, objectives and an agreed strategy and there have been a number of major events and milestones achieved in the period to December 2023 which have contributed significantly towards achieving those objectives.
During the period and subsequently Quintain have made some sell-offs and also new loan arrangements:
If you are wondering about the 'immediate parent company', Bailey Acquisitions Ltd, there is an explanation. You will note where they are located:
A group of Queens Park residents will present a petition to Brent Cabinet tomorrow calling for the Council to withdraw the latest local traffic scheme proposed for the Queen's Park Healthy Neighbourhood. They want any formal consultation to be deferred pending a clear plan outlining the benefits
The petition is on the Brent Council website HERE
We the undersigned petition the council to register strong opposition from the residents and communities of Queen’s Park, Kensal Rise, Brondesbury Park, and surrounding areas, to Brent Council's hyper-local traffic scheme proposals in a limited area of Queen’s Park. We call on Brent Council to withdraw the latest proposals under the Queen’s Park Healthy Neighbourhood scheme and defer any formal Consultation until a plan is presented with clear benefits that prioritise the health, safety, equality, prosperity, and quality of life for the entire neighbourhood (in and around the designated ‘project zone’) based on strong community support, evidence-based planning, transparent decision-making, and value for money.
The Queen’s Park Healthy Neighbourhood page on Brent Council’s website promises a scheme that “ensures the whole community can benefit from cleaner air and safer, quieter streets…”.
While we welcome and support that aspiration, the trial measures on the streets
connecting Kingswood Avenue and Salusbury Road are diverting traffic
unhelpfully, adversely impacting the broader community, and together with the
new proposals developed by MP Smarter Travel, raise serious concerns regarding:
• Health and safety risks from displaced traffic increasing congestion and pollution within the project zone and on already dangerous and busy boundary roads, including Salusbury and Chamberlayne where thousands of children attend school.
• Failure to consider any impact on adjacent areas like Brondesbury Park, Kensal Rise and North Kilburn, and neglect of vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled, and families who cannot rely solely on walking or cycling.
• Unfair prioritisation of select streets at the expense of surrounding areas, imposed without broad community support, based on flawed engagement and inadequate impact assessment, exacerbating inequality and division.
• Unnecessary harm and disruption to residents and businesses in Queen’s Park
and surrounding areas from restricted access.
The Cabinet is at 10am on Monday December 9th and can be viewed online HERE.
Join the fun at Brent Civic Centre Saturday 7 December!
The new Resident Hub and Wembley Library will celebrate it’s grand opening with a day bursting with free activities, live entertainment, and a special visit from Santa! Mark your calendars and bring the whole family for an unforgettable day of fun and excitement.
Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you:
The celebration starts at 11am with Santa’s appearance during the Booktrust story and rhyme session. Throughout the day, children can dive into face painting and craft and story workshops designed to spark their imagination.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! Enjoy a variety of live entertainment perfect for the entire family, including dynamic drumming and dance performances, and music from a local rap artist and DJ that will keep everyone dancing.
Plus, you can explore a range of informative stalls where you can find out more about how the council and local services can help you live well, make healthy choices, stay safe and embrace sustainable living.
Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Resident Support and Culture, said:
We are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of these new services with our customers and residents. The brand-new Resident Hub area provides a more accessible, comfortable, and confidential space to better serve residents, while the upgraded library, with dedicated areas for study, children, and public PC use, has become a vibrant hub for learning, study, and cultural activities.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic event! Join us at Brent Civic Centre on Saturday 7 December, 11am - 4pm to celebrate the opening of these fantastic new community services.
The High Road, Wembley has gone through many changes in the last decade or so with the most significant the Uncle twin towers on the site of the former Chesterfield House at the corner of the High Road and Park Lane.
Work has now started on either side of the High Road further towards Wembley Triangle. There is a major development on the former Copland School site, part of the Wembley Housing Zone (see LINK) and opposite it student accommodation is being built on the former Fairgate House and Ujima sites (see LINK).
As well as the construction of these developments, in the new year, starting on January 6th 2025, a 16 week programme will start reconstructing part of the High Road.
The venue: Upper Hydes field (Fryent Country Park) from Barn Hill Conservation Group map
Event layout
Event organisers have applied to Brent Council for an open air event, attended by up to 3,500 people, in Fryent Country Park to celebrate the start of next year's Carnival season. Consultation closes on January 1st 2025 for an event that takes place on the weekend of July 5th and 6th.
The organisers describe the event:
J’ouvert is a cultural festival to mark the opening of the carnival. It is an important ancestral tradition that still exists in countries such as Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, Brazil, the French Antilles and other countries around the world. The event is design to display our cultural identity and tradition to people globally.
The first Jam J’ouvert was held at Cranford Community College in June 2018. The event was a tremendous success, as people from different ethnicities BME community and communities attended the event. Approximately 2000 patrons attended the event, as this was the first time such an event was held in London.
In June 2019, the event was held at the same venue, as it was the ideal location to hold such an event. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic in 2020 the event did not take place. However, the event resumed in 2021.
Jam J’ouvert is an opportunity to come along and dance to the pulsating rhythms of Steel bands, African and Caribbean music, celebrate the culture, be adventurous, and have a fun time. There are other aspects to enjoy such as our food, beverages, live entertainment, and body painting. Mingle UK Ltd has been building a reputation for quality events across London since 2016. These events include Mingle All White at the Cavendish Banqueting Suite, Mingle Beach Wear on the River Thames London, and The Annual 473 Camo Wear at the Tottenham Leisure Centre. As event’s organisers, we pride ourselves not only on providing a great occasion, but a high-quality community experience to all nationalities and demographics.
The London Borough of Brent is a diverse borough where people choose to live and work. Therefore, it is important that they are given the opportunity to share our culture.
• To dramatically improve on building better community relationship and encourage people from different ethnicities to integrate and enjoy the diverse nature of the event.
• This event will help to improve and maintain our cultural identity, as this is the first event of its kind in the Borough of Brent.
• Promote positive energy throughout different communities within London.
Hello Summer Saturday 5th July 2025
• This is a new event which was introduced in 2022. The vibe of the event is a welcoming to summer season in sophisticated chic style.
• This year the dress code is pastel colours accompanied with matching decor and photo opportunities including 360 photo booths.
• There will be local and international Soca artists, (Soca means the Soul of Calypso). Also, represents a fusion of African and Caribbean Kaiso, Calypso and South Asian rhythms. The Soca acts will perform on the main stage on the event.
• There will be a designated VIP area for the patrons to take photos with their favourite artiste and performers.
Jam J’ouvert Sunday 6th July 2025
• Traditional face and body painting will be carried out as part of the J’ouvert tradition.
• The event will include elements of traditional food and beverages being sampled and sold at the event.
• Live artist will be performing during the event.
• Live amplified music will be played during the event.
Cultural/religious events have been held here before and a long time ago there was an annual Brent Countryside Day that was abandoned one year because the fields were water-logged. It never reappeared. Recently there has been controversy over the use of the field for Event Day parking when public transport was disrupted. Given its financial position Brent Council has adopted a policy to maximise income from its parks.
The short period for consultation, and it taking place over the holiday season is meeting criticism from residents.
The overall event would start at 10am and finish at 9pm on both days. Dance would take place from 12 noon until 9pm and the sale of alcohol between 12 noon and 8.30pm.
Organisers have submitted a slideshow of arrangements, embedded below as a PDF. Click on the X bottom right for a full page view.
LINK TO APPLICATION WHERE YOU CAN LEAVE COMMENTS FOR OR AGAINST
Brent Council states:
Representations (comments) will usually be expected to relate to at least one of the licensing objectives.
The objectives are:
· preventing crime and disorder
· public safety
· preventing public nuisance
· protecting children from harm
