The present Victorian era community centre
The proposed new building
The current building in the setting of Hazel Road, Harrow Road and Kensal Green Cemetery
Kensal Green Residents' Association are opposing the demolition of the Hazel Road Community Centre (Harriet Tubman House) in Hazel Road that was built between 1890 and 1896 as a Mission but severed several different uses over the years. It is a well known and well loved building in the local area and creates a unique ambience.
The current owners, the 'Making The Leap' charity, have applied to demolish the Centre and erect a new, higher building, on the site.
This is what the Kilburn Green Residents have to say about the proposal:
DEMOLITION OF HAZEL ROAD COMMUNITY CENTRE
We are concerned by the proposal by ‘Making The Leap’
to demolish Kensal Green Community Centre at 28 Hazel Road and replace it
with an office block. ‘Making the Leap’ wish to start the work in spring this
year and have submitted their planning application to Brent. The link is below.
Any comments on their plans must be made by Thursday 13th February 2025 LINK:
Here are a few bullet points raised by residents in regard to
‘Making The Leap’s proposal:
- The
office block, as described, would consist of over four floors, but with
each of the upper three floors being one-and-a-half times higher than the
base floor. Furthermore, there is a fifth-floor structure, a black box on
the roof, which appears in the plans to be as high as the base floor, so
effectively it will be a six-storey office block. The proposed development
would tower over the surrounding terraced streets dominating Hazel Road
and our park, Hazel Road Open Space, and staff and clients of ‘Making The
Leap’ would be able to look down into neighbouring houses, and down into
the children’s play area in the park. 'Making The Leap' even acknowlege in
their planning application that feedback from residents shows that: "Some are worried over the building’s height affecting nearby
homes or that the building is too imposing." Their own survey indicates
there will be reduction of between 23.9% and 36.5% sunlight to the homes
opposite the new building which means a daylight distribution below the
recommended level of 80%. The light surveyors also say they couldn't
access the properties for their tests so the situation could be even worst
for those poor residents.
- One
of the planning illustrations shows a paved walk-way from Harrow Road to
the new building which will divide the park. It doesn't appear to be
mentioned anywhere in the text.
- In
the architectural representation on Making The Leap’s website, the height
of the terraced houses opposite the proposed development and the trees in
the open space appeared to be artificially exaggerated to downplay the
office block’s scale. However, the reality is clear: this is a case of
over-development in an already highly developed area. We assumed that
Brent planning regulations restrict construction that exceeds the roofline
of existing housing. Additionally, the proposed office block’s lightweight
permeable façade, which will resemble painted cardboard, is completely out
of character with the neighbourhood’s predominantly red brick
construction. 'Making The Leap's own extension to the Community Centre is
even described in their own planning application as "an unsympathetic
feature". The new build will have the same texture.
- Making
The Leap have allowed the current building’s façade to fall into
disrepair, claiming they lack the funds for maintenance. This raises
questions about their ability to finance a large-scale office block. There
is a genuine fear that, should Hazel Road Community Centre be demolished,
that the site might be left undeveloped for years, becoming a blight on
the community, or sold off to developers, as has happened in other parts
of Brent.
- Hazel
Road Community Centre holds historical and architectural value.
Originally built as a Victorian Mission Room between 1890 and 1896, it has
a unique facade with alternating brick patterns, gothic style window
openings and gables that are integral to its unique façade. The Heritage
Statement in the planning application states that 'the Site was nominated for addition to the Brent Local List and
as such may be considered a non-designated heritage asset. However, since
nomination the Site does not appear to have been added to the Local List.' An investigation should be
undertaken to find out why the building wasn't listed, especially as The
Victorian Society is now considering listing it among its top ten
endangered Victorian buildings of 2025. The horse trough across the road
outside The Mason's Arms is Grade II listed. The demolition of the
Community Centre would represent a significant loss to the architectural
heritage of Kensal Green.
Placing an office block in the middle of a residential area will put
pressure on residents’ parking spaces. Parking bays are already earmarked for
closure during the demolition and building work.
Please email us at kensalgreenres@gmail.com if you would be happy to help us to leaflet the
neighbourhood and/or be part of an Action Committee. Any feedback will be
welcome. We hope to shortly organise a public meeting.
Editor's note: The Heritage statement is by a consultancy and is not an assessment by the Brent Council Heritage Officer. I cannot find a response from the Heritage Officer on the Brent Planning Portal.
UPDATE:
A reader has supplied the following information:
One of the directors
Olakunle Akunmu BABARINDE (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/Unqv7UywINPsQuz6BWSLPag3vWs/appointments)
is also a property developer and director of RINDE GROUP PROPERTY LTD
(https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10894251
