Secretary of State refers Wembley Park Station car park tower block development to Planning Inspectorate

The Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP, has called-in the controversial Wembley Park station car park development which means he will make the decision on whether it goes ahead rather than Brent Council whose Planning Committee approved the development.

The application will be considered by the Planning Inspectorate at a public inquiry, with recommendations then going to the Minister to decide the outcome.

In a letter to Bob Blackman MP, the Planning Inspectorate said:

The Inspector instructed by the Secretary of State is T Gilbert-Wooldridge MRTPI IHBC and the inquiry will open at 10.00am on 28 September 2021. We have currently scheduled 6 sitting days (provisionally 28 Sept – 1 Oct and 4-5 October).

The Planning Casework Unit cannot forward any correspondence that was submitted to them before this case was called in. Therefore, if there are any matters which you wish to put before the Inspector, you can write to me at this address or email (leanne.palmer@planninginspectorate.gov.uk) quoting reference APP/T5150/ V/21/3275339.

You can also use the Internet to submit documents, to see information and to check the progress of cases through GOV.UK. The address of the search page is https:// acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/

Please submit any representations by 8 July.

The date by when the application will be decided will be published at the time the report is submitted to the Secretary of State.

At the Planning Committee only Cllr Michael Maurice voted against the application and Cllr Kansagra, leader of the Conservative Group said that the Council had been bribed by the developer with flats. (FULL REPORT)

Philip Grant, a regular contributor to this blog, presented a forensic analysis to the Committe based on the Council's own existing Tall Buildings policy which limited developments on the site to 10 storeys. It breached policy that had been made as a result of public consultation.  He concluded:

Committee members, please don’t allow yourselves to be fooled into accepting an application which doesn’t comply with the policies adopted by Brent Council, after consultation with its residents.

This application is a flagrant breach of those policies, and you can, and should, refuse it on those grounds. 

Philip's presentation followed a Guest Post he had written for Wembley Matters the day before the Planning Committee setting out his case in detail.  LINK

Regardless of party politics the Inquiry represents a second chance to stop over-development of the site as well as possibly putting a stop to officer's increasing propensity to make excuses for developers' failure to adhere to the Council's own planning policies and guidelines.

Philip Grant adds this comment:

AMENITY SPACE -

Although my main objection to this planning application was over its breach of Brent's tall buildings policies, there were a number of other failures to comply with planning policies.

When I had a look at the webpage for this application (20/0967) today, I found that although Planning Committee approved it last November, Brent has not yet issued a consent letter, so the application is still "undecided" (although with no mention that the Planning Inspectorate is now involved).

The other interesting thing I noticed was that an extra document had appeared in February 2021, described as a "Post Committee Delegated Report". It's main subject was 'Amenity Space Provision'.

It appears that Brent's Amenity Space policy DMP19 had been the subject of a Judicial Review, and this had found that Brent's planning officers had not been interpreting their own policy correctly! 'The JR judgement has clarified that all 3bed or larger units should be assessed against the 50sqm 
standard.' 

When planning officers had assessed the amenity space required for the 451 homes in the five tower blocks proposed at the Brook Avenue site, they had used 20 square metres as the standard requirement for the larger flats.

This meant that the cumulative private amenity space shortfall for the development was actually 7,498.9sqm, rather than the 6,178.9sqm reported to the Planning Committee meeting. 

[To give an idea of what these figures mean, the standard professional football pitch has an area of 7,140 square metres - so the residents together would be "robbed" of more than a football pitch in size of private amenity space, if the proposals are approved.]

Did the new information make any difference? This is what the planning officers' delegated report concluded:

'it is considered that the scheme would still be acceptable in planning terms, notwithstanding the shortfall against Policy DMP19 as the external amenity space provision remains to be of sufficient size and type to satisfy the proposed residents’ needs. The amount and type of external amenity space proposed was clearly expressed to members, and it is considered that members would not have come to a different view on the proposal had the greater shortfall been reported.'  

 

 

Update from WE OWN IT on fight against Centene's takeover of GP surgeries

 

Last week you took action to pressure North West London local health authorities to kick Centene, the profit-greedy US multinational, out of our GPs.  There's no two ways about it, the decision NW London local health leaders ended up making was a mixed bag. They decided to renew Centene’s contract - BUT with a BIG catch. Instead of renewing it for 5 years, as originally suggested by local health officers, they decided to renew it for JUST 2 years.  And they are placing Centene under much stricter patient feedback conditions. So if after the two years patients say that Centene has done a bad job, local leaders will have no excuse to keep them on. This result represents slow but good progress in the fight against private corporations in our GP practices. And this outcome was down to the incredible work you did writing to local health leaders, joining protests, taking action on social media, etc. It is not exactly the win you were going for. But we could never have got this if you had not taken action. You wanted Centene kicked out completely and things are now headed in that direction.  It is time to double down and push harder since it's clear that the pressure you’re applying is being felt. Just to recap some of the amazing work you've been part of, which made this result possible: Thousands of people across the country took action or joined protests on the 22nd of April in our “Get Centene Out” day of action. 24,896 emails were sent to local health leaders to show them the depth of public opposition to Centene. Over 700 people from across the country sent short personal messages to health leaders in North West London in less than 24hrs.  55,721 people have signed the online petition against Centene and many more have signed physical petitions at protests. Almost 200 London councillors from all main parties (including a few Conservatives) have signed our local leaders open letter against Centene. 15,540 people emailed and asked their MP to oppose Centene. 76 MPs from right across the country and from all parties except the Conservatives have now supported the motion in parliament. We are helping Labour’s frontbench primary care team brief MPs about the dangers of companies like Centene running our GP practices.   These and many more actions have forced health authorities to look more critically at Centene. But you need to keep going.   You are already forcing them to take your voice into account in their decisions. This is not the time to let them off the hook. We are planning actions to be announced soon. Local health leaders in areas with Centene GPs need to continue to feel the pressure.  In the meantime, please sign the petition and share it if you have already signed. Thank you so much for the great work that you have done and are still doing. The progress we’ve made would not be possible without you. Cat, Pascale, alice, Chris, Zana and Johnbosco - the We Own it team

'Blooming marvellous' gifts for Wembley Central & Alperton residents

 

Sorting the plants

From WCRA 

Wembley Central and Alperton Residents’ Association’s  'Blossom' initiative began during the first Covid19 lockdown in April 2020 when they were able to gift bedding plants to isolating residents in Wembley Central and Alperton.    

 

More than 6,800 plants were distributed, the idea supported by local residents, the Alperton Community Group and a number of local businesses in Wembley. 

  

In 2021 WCARA have hugely increased their efforts, securing more donations from even more local businesses, organisations and residents, they ordered over 12,000 plants which WCARA members and volunteers sorted, packed into bags and delivered to homes in Wembley Central and Alperton.

The aim of 'Blossom' is purely to bring a smile and happiness to residents in the local area, especially as the past year been so hard for many in the Wembley Central and Alperton communities.      WCARA hope this gift of plants will bring solace and help neighbours as life gets back to normal - whether you have a tiny balcony, small garden or even a larger plot it's great to green up your environment and encourage nature, as we all know gardens have been so important for our health in recent times.

WCARA would like to thank all their supporters and sponsors who have helped to make 'Blossom' possible so far - it's great to see such support for our local community.

 

Covid-19: Enhanced testing in Willesden, Donnington Court

From Brent Council 

 

Covid-19: Enhanced testing in Willesden, Donnington Court

Public Health England has found a case of the South African Covid-19 variant in Willesden.

To see if it has spread in the community and to help contain the virus, everyone aged 16 and over who lives or works in Donnington Court NW10 3TJ is being asked to get tested, even if they are not showing symptoms.

If you live or work within the enhanced testing area, do the right thing and get tested to protect your family, friends and community. 

The more cases of the variant we find, the better chance we have at stopping the spread.

You must get tested at one of the following testing sites. The site you go to will depend on whether you have symptoms or not.

If you don’t have symptoms

• The Library at Willesden Green - 95 High Rd, Willesden, London, NW10 2SF Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Monday to Sunday. 
  Book an appointment if you don't have symptoms.

If you have symptoms

• Harlesden Local Testing Site, Harlesden Town Garden, Challenge Close, Harlesden, NW10 4BF. Opening hours: 8am-8pm, Monday to Sunday. 
  Book an appointment if you do have symptoms.

Key questions on enhanced testing

Why am I being asked to get tested?

A case of the South African Covid-19 variant has been found in Willesden. We want to find out if it’s been spreading in the local area and if so, to contain it by asking all those affected and their recent contacts to self-isolate.

It’s important that you get tested, even if you feel fine, as 1 in 3 people with Covid-19 show no symptoms but could be spreading the virus with loved ones and around the community without knowing.

How does it work?

1. If you’re aged 16 or over, book a test at the right testing site depending on whether you’ve got symptoms or not
   
   
2. Come alone if you can, although if you’re 16 or 17 you’ll need to bring a parent or guardian with you – and don’t forget your face covering!
   
   
3. When at the site, you’ll need to take a swab of your throat and nose – it’s quick and painless
   
   
4. That’s it. Leave the testing site, staff will clean the booth and send your test off to the lab
   
   
5. If your test is positive, it’ll be checked to see what strain of the virus you’ve been infected with. Don’t worry, there’s currently no evidence the South African variant will make you more unwell but you will need to self-isolate for 10 days so you don’t spread it – anyone you live with will need to self-isolate too.
   
   
6. If you test negative, that’s great! But you must continue to follow the rules and remember, you can get free and regular rapid Covid-19 tests any time,visit our webpage to find out more.

Special walk-in vaccination clinic at Kingsbury Temple tomorrow for those without NHS number or 1D -6-8pm

There will be a walk in vaccination clinic at Kingsbury Temple on Saturday 6-8pm for those with no NHS number and no easy way of getting one.  The team are particularly keen to focus on asylum seekers, refugees and homeless although quite a lot of work has been done recently to vaccinate the homeless.

 

It will be a safe clinic – no one will be taking details or asking for proof of ID or anything like that. They will ask for a phone number which could be for that person or a charity they go to. This is just so they can be contacted for a 2nd dose.

 

183 bus from Kingsbury station

EXCLUSIVE: HOPE FOR THE HARP! Brent Council 'exploring all options' to keep the Welsh Harp Centre open and consortium formulating an NCIL bid

 

The road to the Centre - could almost be countryside

The classrooms

Path to woodland exploration

The pond-dipping pond

Another exciting path into the woods

This pond is protected for the undistrubed breeding of frogs, toads and newts

The fairly recently built dipping pond for wheelchair users

The toilet block - a necessity!

The above photographs, taken in the absence of the chatter of excited primary school children, shows what we could lose  if the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre were to close. It also shows the  investment Thames21 made in improvement of the facilities to cater for ALL children.

Today in a response to a request  from Wembley Matters, Brent councillors Krupa Sheth, Lead Member for Environment and Thomas Stephens, Lead Member for Schools, Employment and Skills said:

We thank Thames21 for all their work over the years, teaching children about nature and the importance of protecting our environment. We have been working with Thames21 for some time on the challenges they faced and offered assistance, but we understand the difficult decision they have taken.

It is essential that we continue to support young people, schools and families to learn more about their environment. This is especially important as we continue to work with and alongside our communities to tackle the twin climate and ecological emergencies.

To this end, we are now exploring all options to secure the future of the Environmental Education Centre at the Welsh Harp, in conversation with our local schools, community leaders and voluntary groups. 

Since Wembley Matters published the news  that Thames21 were relinquishing the lease there has been widespread support on social media for the Centre which many adults in Brent attended as children.

 I understand that Brent Parks Forum is working with a consortium of local organisations to make a Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy application to retain the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre. Such a bid will have to demonstrate community support for the application. To express your support please email brentparksforum@gmail.com with your reasons for supporting the bid  and your name and address . I am sure they will also welcome offers of help from any experts in bid-writing or other useful skills.

Let's all pull together to save this vital resource.

Wembley Park tile murals – a good news story!

 Guest blog by Philip Grant in a personal capacity

It makes a change for me to be able to share some good news with you about the heritage tile murals at the Bobby Moore Bridge and Olympic Way. But that’s what this article is about.

 

The January 2020 tile mural “reveal”, with some damage arrowed. (Photo by Francis Waddington)

 

When three tile mural scenes, which had been covered over with Quintain’s vinyl advertising sheets since the autumn of 2013, were revealed on 18 January 2020, at the launch of Brent’s year as London Borough of Culture, damage which had occurred to the tiles could be seen. It was clear that water had seeped behind the top of the tiles in Olympic Way (just outside of the subway from Wembley Park Station), and two areas of tiles on the Ice Hockey mural had fallen off and broken.

 

 

A close-up of part of the damage to the Ice Hockey mural, February 2020.

 

I spoke about this to Julian Tollast, one of the Quintain representatives (who I first met at a heritage event in 2014) at the “reveal” hosted by Brent’s Mayor and Council Leader. He said he would ensure that this damage was repaired. I asked that Quintain should at least make sure that the “fillet” along the top of the tiles was made watertight, before vinyl advertising sheets were put back over the murals five weeks later.

 

During this time, I managed to make contact with a director of the company which had designed the murals, and supplied the tiles, in 1993. They had sold the tiles side of their business in 2000, but he was able to identify the type of tiles used, and give details of the German manufacturer which made them. I passed this information on to Quintain, who were hoping that the repair work could be arranged for the autumn of 2020, when there would be a changeover of the vinyl sheets.

 

Unfortunately, when the adverts came off again, for the three week “periodic display” of these mural scenes in March 2021, the Ice Hockey mural was still damaged. In fact, the damage seemed worse.

 

The damaged Ice Hockey tile mural, mid-March 2021. (Photo by Francis Henry)

 

When this photo was shared with me, I contacted Julian at Quintain again, to find out what was happening about the repair. After checking with Quintain’s Wembley Park Operations Team, he was able to tell me that the damaged tiles had been removed, and loose tiles secured. A waterproof mortar fillet had been installed along the top of the mural scenes. Matching replacement tiles had been obtained from a UK manufacturer, and these would be put in place by a specialist contractor by the end of March.

 

I was not able to visit Olympic Way to see the work on the tiles myself, but I was told that photos would be taken before the murals were covered over with adverts again. I looked forward to receiving these, so that I could share them with you, but there was a delay before copies were supplied to me. However, the pictures were worth waiting for!

 

The repaired Ice Hockey mural, end of March 2021. (Photo courtesy of Quintain / Wembley Park Ltd)

 

 

Panoramic view of the three tile mural scenes in Olympic Way, after the repair, end of March 2021.
(Photo courtesy of Quintain / Wembley Park Ltd)

 

I would like to publicly thank Quintain’s Wembley Park team for the repairs carried out to the Ice Hockey tile mural. They clearly realise what a valuable cultural and heritage asset these beautiful murals are for Wembley Park. It’s just a pity that they won’t put them back on permanent display, so that residents and visitors can enjoy them, rather than the bland advertising sheets which cover them most of the time!

 

How the tile murals in Olympic Way usually look, March 2020.

 

Philip Grant.

Good news for Brent as diverse bookshop opens its door at The Grange, Neasden roundabout

 As a young primary teacher in the 1970s I used to visit the New Beacon Bookshop in Stroud Green Road to buy books for pupils that reflected my multiracial classroom as well as books for my own self-education about Black history, culture and literature.

Now 50 years later the woman credited with saving New Beacon when it fell behind the times and could no longer provide the service modern customers  required, has brought her skills and passion to Brent in the form of Book and Kulture, an on-line book shop dedicated to providing books and cultural resources reflecting our diverse society. It will now offer an in-person service at its premises in the former Brent History Museum at the The Grange on Neasden roundabout.

New  Beacon was founded by Sarah White and her husband John La Rose in 1966 and it was John's grandson Renaldo La Rose, with his wife Vanessa who took on the task of  saving New Beacon from closure .

 Vanessa La Rose said:

It is important now more than ever that we create as many opportunities for Brent residents to access diverse books and crafts. As one of the most diverse boroughs in London, it’s astounding that we will be one of only three independent bookshops in the borough. We hope that by opening our doors we will encourage people to take more of an interest in reading and look at books that feature more reflective characters.

 

On Tuesday 1st June Book & Kulture will extend their online offering of diverse books and crafts to those living/working locally by opening their doors to customers allowing them to browse through their diverse range of books and crafts in store. Whilst the bookshop won’t carry the extensive range offered on the website, the selection gives customers an insight into the vast array of diverse books and crafts available. 

 

The Grange

Located in The Grange, the former Brent Museum in the centre of Neasden roundabout, the shop will open every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 11am – 4pm and on every second Saturday of the month from 10.30am – 6pm.

There is parking at The Grange and pedestrians can reach it by the pedestrian bridge (please don't try and cross the road on foot!)