Workshop on the history of green spaces in Brent - January 11th 2020

Further information and booking (free):

https://londonparksandgardens.eventcube.io/events/23127/workshop-research-the-history-of-green-spaces-in-brent

Recycle electrical items at The Kiln Dec 30th - January 12th

Public meeting on Brent trees policy: January 15th Newman Catholic College

After the passion and rage of the recent outdoor meeting LINK about the Furness Road trees the community is coming together for a public meeting with Brent councillors and officers on the 15th January 2020 to discuss tree policy.

The meeting will be held at Newman Catholic College, Harlesden Road, Willesden, NW10 3RN from 7pm - 8pm.

Concerns about the felling of street trees is not an issue confined to Furness Road or even to Brent. These documents from Sheffield that emerged from mediation between the City Council, the contractor Amey and the Sheffield trees Action Group (STAG) may be of interest to those seeking a balanced solution.

Click bottom right corner for full page.

Brent Council by-election candidates announced

Following the closure of nominations at 4pm this afternoon Brent Council has published the  statement of persons nominated:

The candidates are:

ALPERTON WARD (ONE VACANCY)
Anton Georgiou (Liberal Democrats)
Chetan Harpale (Labour Party)
Andrew Linnie (Green Party)
Harmit Vyas (Conservative Party)

BARNHILL WARD (TWO VACANCIES)
Mansoor Akram (Labour Party)
Michael Brooke (Liberal Democrats)
Martin Francis (Green Party)
Gaynor Lloyd (Labour Party)
Kanta Mistry (Conservative Party)
Peter Murry (Green Party)
Larry Ngan (Liberal Democrats)
Stefan Voloseniuc (Conservative Party)

WEMBLEY CENTRAL WARD (ONE VACANCY)
Sai Karthik Madabhushi (Conservative Party)
Jyotshna Patel (Liberal Democrats)
William Relton (Green Party)
Sonia Shah (Labour Party)

Polling Day os January 23rd 2020

Current Council:

LABOUR 56
CONSERVATIVES 3
GREEN  0
LIBEREL DEMOCRATS 0

One Olympic Way pulled from Planning Committee Agenda but Fulton Quarter passed unanimously

The controversial planning application for 1 Olympic Way LINK  was pulled from last night's Planning Committee agenda apparently for  'technical reasons' due to a later submission regarding light. The application to add  several storeys to the building and build a new 15 storey block at the back had been opposed by Quintain.

Quintain's own Fulton Quarter outline plan LINK for 995 homes, office space, retail and work spaces with a number of towers including one of 25 storeys was passed unanimously. There will be a Stage 2 referral of the scheme to the Mayor of London.  Councillors were told that the viability study (the generation of sufficient profit for the developer)  meant that there could be no more than 25% (by floor area) of affordable housing. Cllr Johnson asked, 'Why not 30 or 35%?' Johnson was later told that the viability assessment left no room for affordable workspace and the option had not been pursued.

Officers justified the fact that they were relying on a consultation carried out two years ago on the scheme by saying that few concerns had arisen at the time and a new consultation would 'confuse people.'

Asked about the 25 storey tower planning officers said it was at the centre of the plot and would not interfere with protected views of Wembley Stadium (by which they seemed to mean the arch rather than the whole stadium) and while it was the tallest in the immediate vicinity the new Network Housing block would be over 20 storeys and the highest in the development area would be 32 storeys.

Officers said that an Environmental Impact Assessment had not been felt necessary.

When Cllr Johnson asked if it was possible for the Troubadour Theatre to have space located in the Fulton Quarter he was told that this had always been a temporary project and this was their mode of operation. It was a way of testing the market for viability. It was a challenge to get people out of the West End habit (perhaps the planners had not heard of The Kiln)  but there may be a site available elsewhere in the Quintain development.

There will be further consultation on a more detailed application following the granting of outline permission.

Current

Application

Willesden Green Residents' Association made a presentation opposing the demolition of 162 Willesden Lane and argued that flats could have been provided by an extension to the house while maintaining the facade of the original. A resident had made a passionate submission on the Planning Portal about the animal life that would be affected by demolition and new build:

I wish to object to the proposed demolition and build of 19 flats at 162 Willesden Lane. The present house comprises of 10 flats- which is too many for the footprint. Adding another 9 will mean that the existing garden will be swallowed by the development. All homes in this area benefit from large gardens. All of them meet on all sides to create a wildlife oasis for rarely sighted birds and small animals. I regularly see a Heron camping out in my garden on its way to bigger pastures. 

Woodpeckers also seem to thrive here. To lose these creatures because of a modern block would be almost criminal in its negligence to this diverse ecosystem. 

To build a block of 4/5 stories high will impact on all our privacy as we will be severely overlooked. There are many mature trees that will need to cut down, which seems totally irresponsible in a central London location where wildlife and trees are essential for our healthy existence. The recent development of 'The Avenue' unearthed an unexploded WWII bomb, which caused much anxiety and danger to the local area- as I am sure you will recall, many people were evacuated for a considerable time. The Willesden Lane area suffered much bombing during the war- how many more bombs will be disturbed before a catastrophe occurs.

The modern block will definitely change the character of the area, which is full of wonderful large period houses and flats. And at a time when LONDON and the nation is suffering from a major shortage in social housing, it seems very neglectful and shortsighted to allow another private developer the opportunity to put up more unaffordable housing for investors to park their money without any care or consideration for home renters. Surely this is at complete odds with Brent's socialist authority agenda.

--> Officers said that the 20 trees to be removed would be replaced by planting another 20. 

Only one of the 18 flats will be 'affordable' which equates to 5.6% of the total (against a target of 50%!) but will be offset by a contribution of £99,500 for affordable housing elsewhere. Again the viability assessment was quoted in support. One councillor voted against on tenure grounds.

Current

Granted permission

The Committee agreed the application for 435-441/A Wembley High Road which is on the corner with London Road and stretches down that road.

The proposal was for retail and 44 flats only 4 of which would be at affordable rent (Discounted Market Rent equivalent to London Living Rent). The officers report said that the viability reported suggested it was not viable to include any affordable units so this offer was a gain. Councillors were not so sure and one voted against the application.

The major part of the High Road is retail with two storeys above and two storey houses on the side road. However planning officers suggested that the area was changing with the 26 storey 'Twin Towers' (former Chesterfield House), 18 storey West One development on Montrose Crescent and the 14 storey Wembley Central Station development so the up to 8 storeys height was acceptable.

It looks as if Wembley High Road is destined for more high development as this argument would apply across the board and families seeking truly affordable housing are going to have a very long wait.

Quintain object to a Wembley Park planning application!

Now

Proposed (height increased)

Now

Proposed (Danes Court is towards bottom right)

It is not often that Quintain the Wembley Park developer objects to a development in Wembley Park, but they have in the case of No 1 Olympic where they object to the planning application by another developer.

Permission had already been granted for the office block to be converted to housing but the developer came back with additional proposals to add extra storeys to the building and build a new 15 storey block at the back, opposite Danes Court on North End Road.

Quintain state:

Whilst we acknowledge the applicants have tried to address some of the inadequacies in the original proposal, we maintain our objection to the application as submitted on 4 March 2019. Our objection concluded that the application should be refused planning permission on the grounds that the poor quality design, appearance and materials used within the development cause the increased scale, bulk and massing of the building to have a significant and detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area, Olympic Way and this primary gateway into Wembley Park. The application is therefore contrary to Policy D1 of the new London Plan (2018), WEM2 and WEM7 of the Wembley Area Action Plan (2015) and DMP1 of the Brent Development Management Policies (2016). The revisions submitted by the applicant do not in our considered opinion change these conclusions.

In addition to the above, we also confirm that the proposed introduction of retail and office floorspace on the ground floor is not deliverable by the applicant. As noted by the applicant, this would require the removal of the pedestrian ramps which are owned and maintained by Quintain. Quintain have no proposals to remove these ramps which are well used and provide the only direct step free access between Bridge Road to Olympic Way. Therefore, any benefits relied upon by the applicant resulting from these changes should be disregarded.

Danes Court, North End Road

The new building is certainly in stark contrast to Danes Court which it will over-shadow! A Danes Court resident writes:

I am very concerned that the recent amendment to the plans application still includes the proposal for a 15 storey block of flats at the rear of the building. That proposed block plus the 3,5 and 7 storey roof top increased height of the existing building will have a significant and detrimental effect on the light reaching my flat. I have already seen the light diminish significantly due to the new buildings in that area, this proposal will have a huge effect in restricting/blocking much of the sunshine and light reaching my balcony area of my flat and bedroom. The 15 storey block will not only affect the light reaching my flat but impinge on our privacy. It will be facing my daughter's bedroom and balcony area. Our privacy will be much reduced.

The privacy on one side of the flat has disappeared with the recent Anthology building. This proposal will be the last straw and any privacy and quality of natural light will have gone for good. The loss of natural light and privacy are stressful and distressing and affects our quality of life. This proposal will make things for us even worse. Also, this building will add to light pollution from yet more artificial lighting from huge new buildings in the area, plus, noise, litter, traffic and crime. I know there is little chance of anyone listening to us but please consider the effect this proposal has on residents like me who have lived in Danes Court. for nearly 25 years.

Two objections, one from a multi-million property company and another from a long-term resident, but both are discounted by the Planning Officers' report which recommends approval of the scheme. The officers seek various changes including a more 'natural' cladding to the blocks and have ensured that the block will not threaten plans to redevelop the next building along, No 3 Olympic Way, which is currently offices. The College of North West London building on the opposite side of Olympic Way is likely to be replaced with a higher block in the near future and readers will already have seen the plans for the Fulton Quarter in what is current the Wembley Stadium Retail Park.

Readers have noticed that conversion of No 1 Olympic Way from offices to residential is already underway, despite this application to modify the plans. The application will be heard by Brent Planning Committee on Wednesday.  The public can attend or a live stream is available from the Council website.



 

Officers recommend acceptance of planning application for Wembley Stadium Retail Park, McDonalds & Troubadour Theatre site

L to R Retail stores, McDonalds, Troubadour Theatre (Fountain Studios)

Replacement development (the light brown building bottom left is the College of North West London which is also due to be redeveloped)

Officers are recommending acceptance of  Quintain's plans for the redevelopment of the Olympic Way/Wembley Park Drive/Fulton Road site currently occupied by Wembley Stadium Retail Park, McDonalds and the Troubadour Theatre.

Approximately 995 housing units will be built on the site and there will be 6,600 square metres of floor space at ground level for a variety of uses including retail, office and leisure.

The tallest block will be 25 storeys high with 8 storey blocks facing Wembley Park Drive. As often the case the amount of 'affordable' housing is less than recommended as is the amount for larger families but deemed acceptable by the officers' report on the basis of viability studies.

The 'affordable' housing would be:

For 1 Bed and 2 Bed Units – Affordable Rents (inclusive of service charges) no more than 80% of local open market rent, and capped at Local Housing Allowance rates, and to be agreed in writing by the Council (such agreement to not unreasonably be withheld) 

For 3 Bed and 4 Bed Units – Social Rent Target Rents (exclusive of service charges) determined through the national rent regime and set annually by the Homes and Communities Agency or any successor body, and to be agreed in writing by the Council (such agreement to not unreasonably be withheld)

The development includes podium green space (located above the retail - see the centre blocks), some at ground level between the retail units and accessible roof space on all excpet the tallest block. Officers point to the proximity of Chalkhill and King Edward VII parks for children's use. Give the large number of residents they suggest re-design of the crossing point to the shops on the other side of Wembley park Drive from the development. This site, without any development, has already seen a number of accidents to pedestrians when trying to cross the road.

There is no guarantee that any of the existing facilities, including the Troubadour Theatre,  in the development would transfer to this new 'Fulton Quarter' although there is a suggestion that  a cultural facility might be provided. The lion heads that were on the Lucullus Brent Empire Exhibition restaurant, on this site,  will be mounted in the new Fulton Square and there will be interpretive panels about the BEE and Wembley Park Studios. Regular Wembley Matters contributor Philip Grant will be pleased with this news. LINK

Twenty seven trees will be removed from the site but officers argue that this is compensated for by the planting of 36 trees at street level and 100 at podium level.

BREAKING: Labour win in Brent Central, Brent North and Hampstead & Kilburn with reduced vote

BRENT CENTRAL (2017 party result in brackets)

David Breschia (Con)     10, 909  (10,211)
Dawn Butler (Lab)          31,779   (38,208)
William Relton (Green)    1,600   (802)
Deborah Unger (LibDem) 4,844   (2,519)
Total ballot papers issued 49,358
Turnout 58.74%

BRENT NORTH
Noel Coonan (Ind)                 169    (-)
Barry Gardiner (Lab)        26,911   (35,496)
Elcena Jeffers (Ind)                101   (239)
Paul Lorber (LibDem)        4,065    (1614)
Suzie O'Brien (Brexit)           951    (-)
Anjana Patel (Con)            18,832    (18,435)
Simon Rebbitt (Green)           850    (660)
Total ballot papers issued   52,080
Turnout 62.16%

HAMPSTEAD & KILBURN
Johnny Luk (Con)                13,892  (18,904)
James Pointon (Brexit)             684   (-)
Matt Sanders (LibDem)       13,121   (4,100)
Tulip Siddiq (Lab)                28,080   (34,464)
David Stansell (Green)           1,608   (742)
Turnout 66.5%

In his victory speech Barry Gardiner thanled the voters but said that the General Election result indicated that the country was in peril. He said both the Labour Party and the Government now had the duty to bring the divided country together again.