A win in the first round of the battle for Metroland?

 

The 'unused and forgotten piece of land'. Note how many others there are nearby.

A team of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young architects parachuted into Brent Planning Committee earlier this week. They were brimming with enthusiasm for their plans for an 'unused and forgotten piece of land' on Pellatt Road/Preston Road. Their role was to buy up small plots and design houses as part of the pursuit of 'densification' and had worked closely with Brent Council. They were proposing a three bedroom house in response to Brent's neeed for family homes.

 'Stunning'

One of the architects  claimed that anyone approaching the new build would exclaim, 'Wow, that's stunning!'

When a councillor said that it was a box, not in keeping with the area, in a prominent position. he was answered with a flood of architect speech: 'It comes down to personal taste, good design has factors in common, materiality. It is contemporary design done really well.  We can't please everyone but we appreciate your views. This will be an award winning home.'

A Brent Planning Officer waded in: 'Modern design can sit comfortably alongside the traditional landscape. In this context the dwelling will not appear as an extension of125 Preston Road, if you look at the scale, massing, the building line, the materials altogether... There are shallow gaps to the front and side of house that breaks the massing and provides gaps between 125. Through the use of different materials, textures as well, that reinforce the dwelling as an individual dwelling rather than terracing.'

A senior Planning Officer continued, 'I would say it has a different vernacular than you would see in a individual 1930s housing. There is some variety in nearby streets. It is a contemporary design solution, high quality, and we don't consider it causes harm to the character and appearance of the wider street scene. It doesn't match the existing character or the existing architectural design, but it is not considered to cause harm.'

Poor Councillor Akram's eyes kept getting drawn back to the screen where an image of the house was displayed as the peroration continued  - the gaps between the words and the image clearly troubled him. He didn't say this, but I am sure that in his mind he was saying, 'But it's still a bloody ugly box!'

Perhaps sensing the department's recommendation that the Committee should approve the application was in trouble,  even more senior Planning Officer David Glover galloped in to emphasise that to meet targets Brent had to build 2,300 houses a year and needed a variety of traditional homes, student accommodation, co-living and high-rise. Some would have to be in suburban locations if Brent were to provide enough homes:

You can't fit in a home that looks exactly the same as what is already there, you need an element of change. Sometimes that might mean more height in the building, you've seen that in well situated sustainable sites. Other times you get smaller elements of land and you have to decide what do you do with that land to put a home in there. The proportions may not fit in with what was available in the 1920s and 30s, or even 1950s, 60s or 70s. But it's the land we've got in the borough and it's land  we need to make more use of if we're going to ensure we've got enough homes. It is more complicated than just replicating what's there.

Optimising the use of the site is providing something which is beneficial to Brent. In ths case it is a new home and in this instance we are doing that. 

The grass verge that would be built on - there are other similar spaces in the area that gives it an open and welcoming appearance

 

The owner of 125 Preston Road had addressed the Committee at the beginning of the item and said that the development would alter the character of Pellatt Road, was out of step with the area's Metroland character and would reduce his light and outlook, as a gateway to Wembley it was poor quality in-fill.

His view prevailed. In the final vote Cllr Saqib Butt voted for the proposal (despite his concern that the number of trees stated in conditions would leave no space for the family in the garden) and Cllr Mahmoud abstained. The other councillors voted against on the grounds that the design was not in character with the surrounding area.

This is perhaps just the first round in the battle to protect Metroland as eyes focus on all those characteristic grass verges.

'The BIG Little Jam' for The Children of Gaza - Royal Oak, Harlesden Saturday 20th September

 

 

SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER

The Royal (Oak Harlesden) 95 High Street Lonodn NW10 4TS
 

Three rooms of music. One big night out. One worthy cause: The Children of Gaza

Join us as we host a local fundraiser for the global and moral disaster that is the situation in Gaza. In this event, we will be raising funds for the charity War Child, with every penny raised targetted to their efforts on the ground to support Palestinian children in Gaza (and the West Bank).

Upstairs- “The Big Little Jam Show”

Full live music show featuring many styles and artists. From Blues and Rock to Reggae, Soul, RnB, Hip Hop, Punk and Spoken Word.
Expect entertaining, moving performances and some exciting jams from a line up which includes:

Louisa Cole (your MC) , Ashish Dyola, Four Days Gone, Meg Lee Chin, Peyton & Craig , Pine Gardens, Bella Krantz, Jonny D, BeatzMyk & Friends, Delaboss, Shane Kelly with more artists and groups to be announced.

Get ready to add your own voice to the mix and stick around for the late night jam where things get really creative!

Downstairs: “K2K” – Curated by Dj's Max Power and Caren Can Can
 

Funky vibes and serious dance floor pressure from our collaborators K2K. DJs on rotation will be serving up the best in:
Amapiano, Afrobeat,
RnB, Disco, House,
Drum & Bass,
Roots Reggae,
Dancehall (90’s to present) and all manner of funky grooves to get you "going".

The Acoustic (Beer) Garden

Join a range of artists performing and collaborating in our outdoor sessions, with a more acoustic vibe. Expect everything from Blues and Soul , to Hip Hop and drumming circles. Bring your voice, your soul and your instrument and come get involved!

Saturday 20th September

The Royal (Oak Harlesden) 95 High Street Lonodn NW10 4TS

Nearest Overground and Tube: Willesden Junction

Bus Routes include: No's 18, 220, 206, 260, 266 &187

Fundraising for the children

Minimum recommend donation £5.00 (plus booking fee)
Grab entry donation tickets from Eventbrite
Cash or Card donations accepted on the door. (If capacity allows)

Additional donations can be made here on Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/.../the-big-little-jam-in...

Brent Planning Committee approves Adult Gaming Centre for former Lloyds Bank in Willesden Green

 Readers may remember that having gained planning permission for a 'Bingo Hall' at the former Llouds Bank on the corner of High Road and Walm Lane, Willesden Green, the applicant came back with a new application to turn the former bank premises into an Adult Gaming Centre. LINK

Yesterday's diminished Planning Committee approved the application by 4 votes to one. 

Cllr Matt Kelcher, the Committee Chair advised that due to his publicly stated position against the provision of gambling establishments within the borough and to avoid any allegations of bias or pre-determination he would recluse himself. Councillor Johnson had declared a personal disclosable interest and therefore withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of that item.

 

The possibility of reducing the hours to an 10pm closure, that than the 'night time economy' 11pm limit was discussed but not adopted. 

 

Cllr Dixon was the lone voice against on grounds of the opposition from locoal residents, mpact on a conservation area, not contributing to the vibrancy of the high street and a failure to provide healthy streets amongst others.

 

56 residents had made submission against the application and Dawn Butler MP (Brent East) made a late intervention that necessitated a Supplementary Report. Butler has raised the issue of the impact on vulnerable Brent residents of so many gambling joints, in the House of Commons.

 

Officers were rather dismissive:

 

One further representation with comments has been received raising objection to the proposed development. The objections are from Dawn Butler MP (Labour Member of Parliament for Brent East). The comments that have been raised broadly correspond to those already received and addressed within the Consultations section of the Committee Report. The comments raised refer to existing gambling problems and impacts within the borough. It is suggested that limited information pertaining to the building has been provided, however it is considered that sufficient information has been submitted in line with the Council’s Validation requirements for the purpose of planning assessment.

 

Finally, the concluding objection is directed to the ‘Licencing Authority’. In response, Licencing is an independent department to Planning within the Council. As well as seeking planning permission the applicant would be required to obtain the relevant licences to operate as an Adult Gaming Centre. An informative to this effect would be included within the Decision Notice.

 

So next stop is Brent Licensing Committee. 

 

BANNED! Stall for supporters of the children's Palestine Trauma Centre in Gaza deemed too political for the organisers of Queen's Park Day

 

I was dismayed to receive the message below from Brent Friends of Palestine who support the charity Palestine Trauma Centre UK in raising funds for the clinician led Trauma Centre in Gaza.

It is shocking that in the middle of a conflict when so many children have died or been wounded, left traumatised by constant bombing and upheaval, that their work has been defined as too 'political' for the sensiblities of the good folk of Queen's Park.

Where is QPARA's humanity and empathy?

At a time when food and medical aid  is being denied to Gaza QPARA is, in its own small way, doing the same thing. Shame!

 

Brent Friends of Palestine stall panels about the work of the Trauma Centre

 

Dear Friends

 

I would normally write to you in early September to ask you to come to Queens Park Day and to visit the Brent Friends of Palestine stall. After running a stall at the event for the past two years, BFoP has been refused permission to have a stall this year.  Queens Park Area Residents Association (QPARA), which runs Queens Park Day, has refused a stall this year because they say the BFoP group is ‘political’.   BFoP acknowledges that without doubt there are political aspects to the Palestine/Israel conflict, but the purpose of the stall has always been humanitarian, to raise funds for a charity that does vital work supporting children and their families in Gaza, helping them to minimise the trauma so many experience from the Israeli occupation since 1967 and from past and present conflicts. 

 

This includes the loss of parents, brothers, sisters, close family members, and friends, together with the destruction of homes and other buildings.  This charity, as all of you will know, is the Palestine Trauma Centre UK, which was based in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza until its building was destroyed quite near the beginning of the Gaza war in November 2023. This charity we have been supporting since 2015 and some of the members of the team in Gaza are still supporting children in the camps if and when they can. 

 

QPARA organises Queens Park Day every year as a non-political event in line with the requirements of the City of London Corporation.  BFoP has pointed out that there are other charities and organisations running stalls that have a political aspect as well as humanitarian concerns, environmental issues, or trade. Despite appealing to the Queens Park Day organising committee, they did not change their decision regarding the BFOP stall.

 

The BFoP committee wanted its members and supporters, particularly those who live in the NW6 and NW2 area, to know of this decision. If you wish to comment on this to the Queens Park Day Committee, you can email the QPARA committee at qparainfo@gmail.com

 

 For more information about the Trauma Centre and the opportunity to donate go to: 

https://www.palestinetraumacentre.uk/

 

Brent Council's response to Social Housing Regulator after C3 judgment way behind schedule. What's the hold up?

 

Dear Editor,

 

Brent Council told us they would keep residents up to date regarding their response to the Social Housing Regulator by providing updates through their two scrutiny committee meetings. The regulator graded the council at C3 which means the council has serious failings in the delivery of consumer standards and significant improvement is needed. LINK

 

However, the Council have not published anything in either scrutiny committee but instead announced that they will give us an update at the 19th November Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny meeting. 

 

At the Audit  and Standards Committee meeting on 16th June 2025, several councillors suggested that the council needed to restore the Housing Scrutiny Committee. The council replied there was no need as housing was already covered in their two scrutiny committees. LINK

 

But with nothing published regarding the council’s response to the regulator, how will residents ever find out if their homes are safe?

 

I thought the response to the regulator might be discussed at next week's Full Council meeting, but it seems no one is interested in this very important issue that affects the lives of everyone living in a council home which currently stands at 8400 tenants and 4000 leaseholders.

 

At the end of May the Council reported that they would take 6 weeks to carry out the housing repairs audit but then extended it to 8 weeks.  They were due to discuss it at Monday’s cabinet meeting The Council will now publish an update on the performance of their housing services on the 3rd October in papers tabled for the October 13^th Cabinet when they will also publish their Action Plan which responds to the regulator. Previously the Council reported they had major concerns with the Wates contracts that were only given an extension back in April of this year and I expect it will be highlighted in the report.

 

Obviously, there were several housing delivery failures identified by the regulator, so all these reports are likely to affect service delivery, especially on repairs for several years to come.

 

The Council have not explained why it is taking so long to publish anything The audit should have been ready before the end of July.

 

I can only speculate that the council have uncovered so many issues, that they are finding it difficult to cover everything before they give us the full picture.

 

Best wishes

 

John

 

Good vibes for Palestine at St Raph's Community Vibe Day

 

More than 300 people crowded into the green space outside St Raphael's Voice Centre on the estate on a lovely warm Sunday afternoon.  Good vibes were promised and they were certainly there as the diverse crowd of all ages mixed and had fun in a warm friendly atmosphere.

What was particularly impressive, doubters who say Brent residents don't care about international issues note, was the strong vibe of support for the Palestinian people facing Genocide and forced removal.  There was a Brent and Harrow Palestine Solidarity stall amongst the many stalls and soon Palestine flags and posters could be seen all over the site.

You can play 'Spot the Palestine Flag' in the photographs that follow:

 

 The PSC stall

 I was impressed by these four lads who spent the afternoon rushing around picking up litter. That's how to develop pride in your community!

 

He insisted that I take his photograph

 

 

 A truly family event

 

The afternoon finished with a vivid demonstration of solidarity in Palestinian colours,

  

 

Congratulations to Asif Zamir of St Raphael's voice and other organisers for a well run and uplifting afternoon of strong and diverse community solidarity.

LETTER: Why I will stand against Barry Gardiner at the next General Election

 

Graham and Barry 

 

 Dear Editor,

 

On Saturday 6 September I was one of 890  people arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for holding a cardboard sign. I was held for 12 hours and released at 

4.30 am on Sunday morning from Ilford police station, 18 miles from my home in Brent.

Barry Gardiner MP or Brent West voted for the proscribing of the non-violent group Palestine Action under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and is therefore personally responsible for the arrests of peaceful protestors in Parliament Square including blind people,many very elderly people and many people there from religious groups like the Quakers. The police were rough with anyone who refused to give their names before seeing a solicitor - I am a 71 year old grandad and was double handcuffed and thrown on the floor of a police van for an hour.

Today I announce that I will be standing against Barry Gardiner at the next General Election as I hold him personally responsible for the arrests and police brutality, but mine is not a revenge mission.

Gardiner is now a media favourite and regular on the BBC and Nigel Farages GBNews. His role is to defend the Starmer government when they cut Winter Fuel payments, attack disabled people,privatise the  NHS, allow further fossil fuel drilling and above all continue to sell arms to the Israeli Defence Force which is committing genocide in Gaza.

This latter role is no surprise for Gardiner is a big supporter of Israel, a former vice -chair of Labour Friends of Israel, who fully supports Zionism and its horrors against defenceless Palestinians.

Gardiner is a rich man who has drawn a big salary for his 28 years in Parliament - he currently receives £94k a year. He has lost touch with the working people of Brent and  when I am elected I will only  accept an average workers wage.

I stand for a better public NHS, green energy, nationalisation of the water companies, expansion of rail travel, a wealth tax on the richest and much else. Above all I oppose the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.

Contact me : grahamdurham@hotmail.com

Brent Cabinet approve move of Islamia Primary School to Leopold Brentfield Road site. Swaminarayan bid to purchase the building and lease to Islamia rejected.

 Yesterday the Brent Cabinet, as expected approved the proposal to move Islamia Primary School to the ex-Leopold Primary site in Brentfield Road, Neasden.

The Swaminarayan Temple apparently put a spanner in the works in a representation but unfortunately there was a technical hitch in the recording so it cannt be viewed on the webcast.

 

Brentfield Road buildings

The gist seemed to be that the proposal was detrimental as the site formed part of a Master Plan for the area devised by Swaminarayan involving the Temple and its car park the ex-Swaminaryan/Sladebrook School  building (currently empty), and the Gwynneth Rickus Leopold building. They proposed buying the latter and leasing it to Islamia Primary pending any redevelopment. This would have encountered difficulty because any change of use from education would require the permission of the Secretary of State. It would go against the guarantee of stability provided by Brent Council and the Islam Yusuf Foundation when Brent Counil hands the site over to the latter.

The Foundation offered the Temple a seat on the Governing Board  of Islamia Primary School to ensure good community relations between the Hindu and Muslim communities.

Islamia Primary School's new site

 

Moving the proposal to move Islamia to the Gwenneth Rickus building, Cllr Grahl, lead member for schools said:

We've done a really good consultation. Borth informal and formal processes showed really strong support ffrom families and the wider community. We've hadd 50 responses in the formal consultation that were fullt supportive, many people saying the move was long overdue. Parents highlighted how the proposal would bring children together under one roof, improve learning outcomes and safeguard theeducatioal offer the school has.

Of course rhere have also been concerns raised. We will continue to listen and we're happy to work woth local schools, residents and comunity groups. 

An education officer said the Authority thought thate there would be no threat to the rolls of neigbouring schools as Islamia had a wider catchment area.  However, it was pointed out that Stonebridge Ward has one of the highest Muslim populations in the borough.

It has been very hard to get details of the result of the informal consultation but I don't think it was as supportive as claimed. Islamia School did not respond to an FoI request for details. 

 

The Cabinet Decision Record: 

 

Prior to considering the report, Cabinet noted the representatives received from Jitu Patel (as Chair of the Board of Trustees representing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - Neasden Temple) accompanied by Girish Patel (as a separate Trustee) and Zafar Ashraf (Executive Director - Yusuf Islam Foundation).

 

In highlighting the position of the Board of Trustees, Jitu Patel outlined their interest in the Gwenneth Rickus site as a key component in their long-term vision for the area along with the representations made in response to the statutory consultation and alternative offer to acquire the site from Brent Council and grant a medium-term lease to Islamia School.  As an alternative, should the decision be made to proceed with the proposed transfer of the site to the Yusuf Islam Foundation the Board of Trustees advised they would be seeking the opportunity, should the site no longer be required in future for educational purposes, for acquisition, subject to the necessary legal consents being obtained.  In seeking a way forward, it was confirmed that the Board of Trustees remained committed to working collaboratively with the Council and the Yusuf Islam Foundation to create a model of co-operation, and to promote and protect faith-based educational provision and community use.

 

In terms of the position outlined by Zafar Ashraf (on behalf of the Yusuf Islam Foundation), members noted the long running and extensive work undertaken to identify options for future provision of Islamia Primary School (as the only Muslim faith voluntary aided school in the borough) with the proposal, as set out in the report, therefore supported as a viable solution that would meet the needs and approval of key stakeholders.  Whilst aware of issues raised by the Board of Trustees representing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir it was felt that these could be addressed working in collaboration including an invitation for a representative of the Board to join the Schools Governing Body as a Foundation Governor and confirmation that the new premises (subject to approval) would be made available for local community use outside of school hours for which the Foundation would be willing to engage with the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir regarding any needs they may have.

 

Having sought technical advice and assurance from officers at the meeting regarding the issues raised as part of the representations received and recognising the exhaustive nature of the process undertaken in seeking to identify a suitable site for relocation of the school, Cabinet RESOLVED:

 

(1)       To note the outcome and analysis from the formal consultation.

 

(2)       To approve the proposal to relocate Islamia Primary School to the Gwenneth Rickus site on Brentfield Road as a 2FE school from 1^st September 2027.

 

(3)       To note that the Gwenneth Rickus site would be transferred into the name of the Yusuf Islam Foundation, who would be required to hold the site for the benefit of the Islamia Primary School. Further details in terms of ownership would be set out in a Trust Deed. This would ensure that the primary school would be protected from eviction in future.