Brent Council issues parks and allotments fire warning

BBQ at Barn Hill Open Space at the weekend

Scorched grass after fire at the Open Space (not caused by above BBQ)

Brent Council has now put out the following announcement:

Due to the very high temperatures we have been experiencing over the last month, the London Fire Brigade have issued a temporary ban on all BBQs in parks across London. This is due to the risk of fire if they are left unattended. 

In Brent, we already have a complete ban on BBQs in our parks, however this is an opportunity for us to remind residents about the increased risk of fire due to the hot weather.

We appreciate that residents will want to enjoy the hot weather, however please remember your safety at all times. Perhaps you may consider alternatives such as arranging a picnic instead.

We would also like to request that allotment holders do not burn any green waste during this heat wave, to reduce the possibility of fire spreading.

If we are to have regular hot summers it may be worth the Council considering installing stone/concrete 'fire places' in its parks such as those found in North America and Australia but there are issues of air pollution to consider. LINK

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Quintain offers public tour of Wembley Park's 'green heritage' Saturday July 28th

Wembley Park 1908

Wembley Park 2018

Wembley Park has certainly changed a lot in 110 years in terms of green space. Quintain has set itself the challenging task of finding some green spaces in what increasingly looks like a concrete jungle. You can judge for yourself how successful they have been by taking part in this tour  on Saturday July 28th, 11am-12.30pm.  I regret that I am not yet well enough to take part but will be interested in a report back from any reader who joins the tour.

This is the information about the tour available on the Eventbrite booking site. I have not edited out the inevitable public relations plug for Quintain:


National Park City Week presents: A Tour of Wembley Park's Green and Open Spaces

As part of National Park City Week, Quintain, the award-winning team behind the £3bn regeneration of Wembley Park, will host a special guided tour, which will allow visitors to discover Wembley Park's rich green heritage - from “Wemba lea” i.e. Wemba’s clearing in the forest to the hedged fields of “Wembly Green” - as well as the long-term environmental vision for the neighbourhood.

Join Tour Leader Julian Tollast, Head of Masterplanning and Design at Quintain and National Park City Foundation Trustee, as he takes you through this fascinating journey through the past, present and future of this 85-acre site around Wembley Stadium, which is rapidly becoming a major new destination and neighbourhood for London. Tour highlights will include: visits to the 22 newly planted trees in Olympic Way, hailing from temperate areas across the world; the new Emerald and Elvin Gardens at Tipi; the secluded landscaped gardens to the rear of Brent Civic Centre; and a stop-over by the interactive masterplan model of the new Wembley Park, where you will be able to have a glimpse of the plans for the 7-acre park and lake being planned for the area.

Tour Leader Biography

Julian Tollast is Head of Master Planning and Design at Quintain with more than 30 years’ experience, including 17 at Farrells, working on significant and varied development projects has given Julian a great breadth and depth of understanding. Leading projects from both the client and consultant side provide him with the ability to rapidly explore and realise the potential of any opportunity and at any scale, “from District to Doorknob”. Julian’s skills in advocacy and communication built consensus to help secure planning approvals for two of London’s most significant developments and many other projects around the UK. His design and development experience coupled with skills in project leadership, management and construction enable him to help create and deliver added value across the Economic, Social and Environmental spectrum; further enhancing the reputation of the projects, companies and organisations he is associated with.

Where will I meet the group?

The orange benches meeting point opposite Sainsbury's

The official meeting point is in Market Square, by the orange benches opposite Sainsbury's at Brent Civic Centre. If you experience any difficulties finding the group, please call tour supervisor 07989 558842.


BOOK  FREE TICKETS HERE - Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

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Brent Council to approve 'biggest financial transaction for a generation'

The Brent Audit and Standards Committee LINK will tonight consider a paper going to Cabinet in September LINK which would give the go ahead for the Council to borrow c£230,000,000 to fully meet its commitments on its already approved£800m capital investment programme.

The paper sets out detailed  borrowing options that balance risk and cost of borrowing. The amount required in 2019-20 is £62.4m and 2020/21 £166.6m.

As indicated in the diagram above the Council can only meet day to day costs from its Revenue account so the investment programme is aimed at 'invest to save' by for example buying housing and using revenue from rents to meet day to day costs of providing services.

Brent Council: Willesden Green Library unlikely to open again before next week

In case you missed yesterday's announcement. The prolonged closure has resulted in the cancellation or postponement of some events - not great for the children's school holidays and the Reading Challenge either.

Harrow Crown Court to close?

Harrow Crown Court

I understand that staff at Harrow Crown Court were told yesterday that it might close. The proposal is at the consultation stage.

Cases currently take up to a year to be heard. Closure would mean that local victims of crime would have to travel to other parts of London for their cases to be heard.

I have asked the Court for a comment.

Brent Council needs to publicise parks barbecue ban & step up patrols to avoid fires

This was Barn Hill Open Space yesterday after an apparent fire. Luckily the grass had been cut recently otherwise it could have been more serious.  50 yards away a family had lit a barbecue.

It is clear, not withstanding the controversy over parts of parks remaining uncut as part of the Council's meadows policy, that Brent Council needs to step up publicity over the danger of fire and especially a ban on barbecues. At present there is no warning on its website. In addition it should consider asking Veolia to re-deploy some of its staff to patrol parks to enforce the ban.

Fun and Buns at Preston Community Library August 12th

Family Funday 12 noon to 4pm Sunday August 12th at Preston Community Library, nearest tube Preston Road (Metropolitan line)

Hammerson put Brent Cross expansion on the back burner

Hammersons have announced that its £1.4bn Brent Cross Shopping Centre development has been put on the back-burner, perhaps until 2023, reflecting the current poor performance of the retail sector.

The proposals are now more than 10 years old and throughout the period have been hotly opposed by the cross-party Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Development.

Doubts have emerged over the viability of the scheme following many recent failures in the retail sector and the public's move to on-line shopping.

Shareholders' basic earnings per share was 7p in June 2018 and 36.2p in 2017 - a reduction of 81%.

Hammerson said:

Given the current turbulence in the UK retail markets and whilst alternative uses of capital offer higher short-term financial returns, we have decided to defer the start on site at Brent Cross.

Whilst we have decided to defer the start on site of the scheme, it remains an important strategic project and we continue to recognise its role as one of London’s leading retail destinations.

It also forms part of the wider Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration plans encompassing improved road and rail infrastructure and significant residential development and we remain engaged with retailers and stakeholders towards the future delivery of the scheme.

Andrew Dismore, Labour Assembly Member for Camden and Barnet said:

 Due to the nightmare market conditions for retailers, the developers for Brent Cross- Hammerson and Aberdeen Standard Investments- say they need more certainty before they can commit to going ahead with the project. Brexit and the possibility of leaving the EU with no deal is a genuine fear for businesses.

This delay is also a disaster for the local community, as it delays the creation of much needed jobs, and will have an impact on the rest of the huge regeneration scheme.  More immediately, given Barnet Council’s reliance on projected business rates in its future budgeting, this decision could really impact on  the Council’s solvency.

Company press release HERE