tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81273150864649057462024-03-13T10:34:49.091+00:00Keep Willesden GreenResidents and workers in Willesden Green are concerned about proposed regeneration in the area - a place for news, discussion and actionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-71224614144209879492013-10-18T16:42:00.001+00:002013-10-18T16:42:43.432+00:00Invitation to Make Willesden Green launch on Wednesday 23rd October<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA2_wgu6qhaP_gqinAljdzFgUW0OF13c3wjudQzpjzfpXWfGJoUnko88ZsLyay22kebQ8ofgU5vv12Pn6bcX9tQdfp9QUWKL6rXcm3dtubTEHs9NEkJz79mLuXSae3fOcx-OifUEcIrc/s1600/Alex+small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUA2_wgu6qhaP_gqinAljdzFgUW0OF13c3wjudQzpjzfpXWfGJoUnko88ZsLyay22kebQ8ofgU5vv12Pn6bcX9tQdfp9QUWKL6rXcm3dtubTEHs9NEkJz79mLuXSae3fOcx-OifUEcIrc/s1600/Alex+small.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alex Colas</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Alex Colas who was an active member of the Keep Willesden Green campaign has announced that he is going to stand in the 2014 local council elections as an independent candidate. His announcement is posted below for your information. Publication does not imply endorsement by the cross-party/non-party Keep Willesden Green campaign.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES">Make Willesden Green is an independent,
grassroots campaign for next year’s Brent Council elections. It is independent
because it is not affiliated to any political party, and it is grassroots
because its support stems from local residents who have been active in various
local campaigns to save our schools, our libraries, our A&E departments and
our community pub. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
‘Make’ in Willesden Green is all about emphasising the participation of
ordinary residents in the public life of our neighbourhood. There is plenty of
community activity in Willesden Green – some of it political; other less so.
But it tends to be ignored by Brent Council and by our elected officers. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES">Make Willesden Green was set up over the
summer by residents who feel unrepresented by local Councillors and mainstream
parties, and who want to redress this imbalance. Our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>aim is to make connections between local campaigns like Save the
Queensbury, Save Gladstone Park School or Keep Willesden Green, and give them
an electoral voice at the Council elections next year. This electoral platform
emerges directly from the energies and ideas expressed around these campaigns,
but it does not claim their exclusive representation. Instead, Make Willesden
Green seeks to continue highlighting the democratic deficit in our Borough by
putting issues of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>democracy,
equality, sustainability, the defence of public realm and public services at
the centre of the electoral campaign.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES">If you agree with most or even all of these
aims, I would very much welcome your participation at the launch of Make
Willesden Green on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wednesday 23 October
2013</b> <b>from 6-7pm at the Queensbury Deli, <span class="st">68 Walm Lane, NW2
4RA (the tube station end of the High Road). </span></b>You will hear brief statements from local campaigners explaining why they think we need Make
Willesden Green, and you will also get a chance to tell me, the candidate, what
you feel our campaigning priorities should be.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We
need to Make Willesden Green together.</span> </span><span lang="ES"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will only work if it is powered through
the participation of local residents in whatever form you can offer: by
publicly endorsing the platform, by helping to canvass neighbours,
by offering to research policy ideas, by contributing funds, or
simply by spreading the word.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES">I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday
23rd.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES"><b>FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE MAKE WILLESDEN GREEN WEBSITE <a href="http://www.makewillesdengreen.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a></b> </span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-31293579399368804122013-07-05T18:07:00.000+00:002013-07-05T18:07:29.095+00:00No poor people is selling point for new Willesden Green development<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe97WQhN1dEAPVKgiK14-P6pMfVeFMbTAPJVbhfD-RPjytBeeF9exhSlCDV_8-ub6rrX3Tzvag7zaWWprhfk2VYHa0uWp2sKNbKlK84Q4BlrjH_wIJkiOk0bU_1mIQg-Wd4tw0ghuJkE0/s1600/the_library_willesden_green_20130628052124_L.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe97WQhN1dEAPVKgiK14-P6pMfVeFMbTAPJVbhfD-RPjytBeeF9exhSlCDV_8-ub6rrX3Tzvag7zaWWprhfk2VYHa0uWp2sKNbKlK84Q4BlrjH_wIJkiOk0bU_1mIQg-Wd4tw0ghuJkE0/s400/the_library_willesden_green_20130628052124_L.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When
we were campaigning against the Willesden Green library redevelopment
we high-lighted that no affordable homes were to be built on the site
once owned by Brent Council (ie <u>our land</u>). Brent Council argued
that Galliford Try/Linden Homes had to be sure of a profit in order to
be able to build the Culltural Centre for zero cost to the Council so no
affordable homes were included.<br />
<br />
Now like a slap in the
face for those on the Council's housing list, the estate agent
advertising in Singapore has made the lack of affordable homes/key
worker homes a selling point! Presumably this ensures prospective buyers
have the right sort of neighbours.<br />
<br />
EXTRACT FROM PUBLICITY <a href="http://t.co/zTLv9WSrUW"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>LINK</b></span></a><br />
<br />
THE LIBRARY @ WILLESDEN GREEN, LONDON<br />
PRICE FROM GBP350,000 (SGD6xxK)<br />
<br />
Willesden Green is one of North London’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan
areas, whose excellent Zone 2 Jubilee Line connections really set it
apart. <br />
<br />
The Library takes a prominent position on Willesden High Road, and sets
new standards in contemporary accommodation for the area. This exciting
scheme comprises four buildings, offering ninety-five highly specified 1
and 2 bedroom apartments, many with balconies or terraces. The
development is gated and has underground parking for residents: always a
bonus in London. <br />
<br />
SELLING POINTS:<br />
• Prominent position on Brondesbury Road and Willesden High Road<br />
• Next door to the forthcoming Cultural Centre<br />
• Within 3-minutes ride to Zone 2 London tube station or 5-minute walk<br />
• Within walking distance to Queens Park<br />
• Willesden High Street is thronged with shops, supermarkets
(Sainsbury’s Supermarket is a few minutes’ walk from The Library), cafes
and restaurants and is a few minutes’ walk from Brondesbury Park<br />
• Excellent transport links – Zone 2 Jubilee Line with direct
connections to key interchanges including Baker Street, Waterloo, London
Bridge and Canary Wharf<br />
<b>• No key worker/affordable housing</b> <i><b>(my emphasis)</b></i><br />
• High quality fixtures, fittings and finishes <br />
• Fully fitted kitchen by Symphony with integrated appliances and granite worktops <br />
• Estimated Selling Price: From £350k (SGD 6xxk)<br />
<br />
UNIT MIX:<br />
Milne Place (Block A)<br />
1 Bedroom: 545 sqft – 626 sqft<br />
2 Bedroom: 759 sqft – 1005 sqft<br />
<br />
Lewis Court (Block B) <br />
1 Bedroom: 546 sqft – 554 sqft<br />
2 Bedroom: 614 sqft – 862 sqft<br />
<br />
Developer: Linden Homes and Green Urban <br />
Address: 95 Willesden High Road, London, NW10 (Zone 2 on Jubilee Line)<br />
Tenure: 999-years<br />
Estd Completion: Summer / Winter 2014; 4Q 2014<br />
Site Area: 83,958.50 sqft<br />
<br />
CALL SALES HOTLINE: + 65 90933158 TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST☎</div>
Yvonnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13117833610909393410noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-30423068931203799752013-03-18T19:17:00.000+00:002013-03-18T19:17:58.122+00:00Town Square registration rejected but some crumbs of comfort<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The public inquiry report into the registration of the space outside
Willesden Green Library took much longer than anticipated to be
completed and it is far fuller than most. However the conclusion is that
registration is not recommended despite the huge efforts of Martin
Redston to convince the planning inspector that residents had a case: <br />
<br />
Martin told his supporters:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">By
now you will have heard that the Inspector rejected my application for
registration. His report of 211 pages is exceptionally long and
detailed. Having read it carefully I would confirm that I think that he
has been fair and reasonable in his treatment of all sides in the matter
. <span style="font-size: small;">...H</span>e cannot
recommend registration but he is sympathetic to our community in seeking
to protect the open space.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">..i</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">t seems to me that </span>there is a small crumb of comfort in that <span style="background-color: white;"> if
you read Mr Brown's various comments throughout his summary,
conclusions and recommendations he considers that the square could be
registered on the basis of a more defined local neighbourhood, and if
free festivals (clarified by him to be a suitable pastime) in particular
had been organised on a continuing basis for the entire 20 year period.
He also implies that the council might like to consider the fact that
they have actually increased the profile of the square in the last few
years, it seems a shame to lose it now.</span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
A report on the outcome can be read <a href="http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/final_chapter_for_town_square_bid_to_save_willesden_green_library_1_1982823"><span style="color: red;"><b>HERE</b></span></a> on the Kilburn Times website </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-526312092694557992013-02-25T17:47:00.000+00:002013-02-25T17:47:48.252+00:00Is the WGLC planning decision final?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Philip Grant writes: </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Although Brent (Regeneration Department?) were very quick to
put out a triumphal press release last Friday, saying: </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">'the redevelopment of Willesden Green Library Centre (WGLC)
took an important step forward last night (Thursday) when Brent Council's
planning committee approved the plans,'</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">it is noticeable that (as at 4.30pm on Monday 25 February)
neither the Democratic Services (Planning Committee) nor the Brent Planning
Service (ref. 12/2924) web pages have yet given details of any such
decision.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">
</span></span><br />
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">The press release does go on to say:</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;">'t</span><span style="font-size: small;">he proposals will now be put to the GLA and Secretary of State who need
to give the go-ahead before Brent can formally give planning permission,'
</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;">but Galliford Try and Brent's Regeneration Department have another problem
as well. At the Planning Committee meeting of 21 February there was a clear
breach of Brent's own Planning Code of Practice (part of Brent Council's
constitution), as a public register which Planning Officers have to sign if
they have what could be regarded as a "prejudicial interest" was not available
for inspection at the meeting. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">I had specifically advised the Democratic Services Officer
responsible for the meeting that I wished to inspect this register at the
meeting, so that there is no excuse for it not being there (under the
Code, it is meant to be there anyway). As a result, I complained to Brent's
Chief Executive about this irregularity on 22 February, and it is currently
being investigated by Fiona Ledden, Brent's Director of Legal Affairs. She has
promised to report back later this week. As the Planning Committee were
not made aware the possibility of "prejudicial Interest" in the reports and
recommendations put before them at the meeting on 21 February, they may be
asked to reconsider their decisions.
</span></div>
</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-84640279607955041342013-02-22T09:52:00.000+00:002013-02-22T09:52:26.842+00:00A campaign worth fighting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We may have lost last night but it was a campaign worth fighting and no
one can doubt the passion and commitment of KWG. KWG did manage to
retain some of the Victorian building but most importantly gave notice
to the Council/Developers that the community won't be walked over.
<br />
<br />I hope that the sense of community and common cause created by the
campaign will continue in some form in the future.
<br />
<br />Congratulations,
<br />
<br />Martin Francis
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-25310885786968022242013-02-21T22:42:00.000+00:002013-02-21T22:42:02.032+00:00Willesden Green planning application approved<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After a 3 hour meeting Brent Planning Committee tonight approved the
Galliford Try/Linden Homes (and some would add Brent Council) planning
application for the building of 94 one and two bedroomed flats and a
Cultural Centre on the site of Willesden Green Library and its car park.
7 members voted for the application, 2 against and 1 abstained.<br />
<br />
Members
of the public were given extra time to speak and made the objections
that by now will be familiar to most readers about loss of public space,
smaller overall library space (though this was disputed by the planners
and architect), lack of parking space, housing density and height and
the future of the Brent Archive.<br />
<br />
Cllr Hunter and Cllr Lesley Jones spoke in favour of the redevelopment while Cllr Carol Shaw opposed and presented a list of 9 issues that needed to be addressed.<br />
<br />
A
major new issue was the failure of the Council to produce the public
register of interests and make it available for inspecting at the
meeting. This should have been done under section 12 of Brent's Planning
Code of Practice. Philip Grant has argued in an e-mail to Joe Kwateng
that as the overall head of the Department which includes Planning and
Development, Andy Donald (Director of Regenration and Major Projects),
had signed the Development Agreement between Brent Council and Galliford
Try. As a result, all of Brent's Planning Officers have an
'involvement' with Andy Donald and should have declared a prejudicial
interest.<br />
<br />
Chris Walker, head of Planning, said that the processes were kept separate. However the issue remains that the register should have been available for inspection and wasn't made available. This may have potential legal repercussions.<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-10706992898440821192013-02-21T10:53:00.003+00:002013-02-21T10:54:20.389+00:00Crunch time for Willesden Green at Planning Committee tonight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Planners
will decide the fate of our <span style="font-size: large;">l</span>ibrary and the
construction of 94 flats tonight at <span style="font-size: large;">Brent </span>Town <span style="font-size: large;">H</span>all - over 400 objections have been received and
yet the council are still proposing to push it
through planning.</span></b></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">The <span style="font-size: large;">g</span>eneral public are welcome to attend so come along
to the Town Hall at 6.30pm (starts 7pm sharp)
Willesden Green Library Centre is the only thing on
the Agenda - so there is nothing else to sit throug<span style="font-size: large;">h.</span> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">If
you care what happens in Willesden do come along -
this will affect us all.</span></b></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-59595976459154422292013-02-20T14:37:00.000+00:002013-02-20T14:37:05.111+00:00Planning Committee will only consider the planning application tomorrow - no powers on conservation consent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
<div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Philip Grant writes: </i></span></span></div>
<div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyone preparing for / attending the WGLC Planning
Committee meeting on Thursday evening (21 February, 7pm at the Town Hall) need
only concentrate on the planning application, ref. 12/2924, at item 2 on the
agenda. No action needs to be taken on the conservation area consent
application, ref. 12/2925, which is listed as item 3.</span></span></div>
<span id="role_document" style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Chris Walker, the head of Brent's Planning Service, has now
confirmed to me that a revised resolution will be put to the committee,
<u>if</u> they decide to grant provisional consent to the planning
application. This will simply refer the consent application to the Secretary
of State for a decision, and will not claim in any way that Brent's
Planning Committee is giving consent to <u>that</u> application, provisional
or otherwise. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">As I have written previously, and Mr Walker accepts, the
only person who has authority to grant, or refuse, consent on application
12/2925 is the Secretary of State. Even to present arguments to Brent's
Planning Committee against the conservation area consent application would be
to suggest that they have a power in that matter which they do not actually
have! If the application is referred to the Secretary of State, copies of all
online or written comments on both applications, whether for, or
against, or general comments, will be forwarded to the National Planning
Casework Unit, so that they can prepare a report for the SofS on which he can
base his decision.</span></div>
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-48491581626372742922013-02-14T19:46:00.004+00:002013-02-14T19:46:59.166+00:00Public Inquiry Report ready in '7-10 days'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Public Inquiry into the application for registration of the open space outside Willesden Green Library as a Town Square finished this afternoon. Martin Redston and Philip Grant summed up with a detailed response to this morning's submission by Counsel for Galliford Try/Linden Homes and Brent Council.<br />
<br />
Concluding Martin Redston said, "(In the 1980s) Brent Council wanted to put the Green back into Wiillesden. Brent residents embraced it."<br />
<br />
Paul Brown QC, the inspector who held the inquiry said that he would priortitise the report and expected his writing up to take 7-10 days and commented that he couldn't guarantee it by Friday of next week, "If it takes longer it is because I want to get it right."<br />
<br />
The Special Planning Committee considering the Willesden Green Planning Application has been scheduled for Thursday 21st February, before the report is likely to be ready.<br />
<br />
Brown commended the public, who had attended every day of the 4 day inquiry, for sticking it out.<br />
<br />
In turn I would commend Martin and Philip for the enormous amount of work they have done in preparing the case and presenting it to the Inquiry. As Paul Brown said they were doing it in their own time and were up against people whose paid job it was to represent objectors.<br />
<br />
The Planning Committee Agenda is now on the council website. I suggest that anyone who was planning to speak should resubmit their request. <a href="http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=115&MId=2044&Ver=4"><span style="color: red;"><b>LINK</b></span></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-37255506375457483072013-02-14T09:08:00.000+00:002013-02-14T09:25:50.658+00:00Willesden Green Planning Application from fiasco to farce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge87Ogf59SZ8mBtm1ZYOFkYlh-0qBYxPjl2S3CK3X2xXD439PvrhC26Sdt5DlSFAJ9kPtlXqGHiHUV7yGi9WFHO71v0iMqn4Wz_pIPqtqddeiGfNbHUTAmskewMo9zoTaJvQ4D_Qc93cI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-02-14+at+09.12.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge87Ogf59SZ8mBtm1ZYOFkYlh-0qBYxPjl2S3CK3X2xXD439PvrhC26Sdt5DlSFAJ9kPtlXqGHiHUV7yGi9WFHO71v0iMqn4Wz_pIPqtqddeiGfNbHUTAmskewMo9zoTaJvQ4D_Qc93cI/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-02-14+at+09.12.01.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I got a Brent Council e-mail alert overnight which seemed to say that the Willesden Green development had been approved by the Planning Committee last night. The links led to the pages above and below. I rang Democratic Services at 9am this morning and they said the announcement was a mistake and had been withdrawn. I was amazed when I got the message that the Planning Committee would have the audacity to consider the application after announcing the items deferral.<br />
<br />
This is developing into a farce!<br />
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h1>
Decision details</h1>
<h2>
Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, London, NW10 2SF (Ref.
12/2924)</h2>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><a href="http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=9641&Opt=0" title="Link to issue history for Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, London, NW10 2SF (Ref. 12/2924)">Find
out more about this issue</a></li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="mglabel">Decision
status: </span><span class="mgplaniteminforce">Recommendations Approved</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="mglabel">Is Key
decision?: </span>No</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="mglabel">Is subject to
call in?: </span>No</div>
<h3>
Decision:</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Grant
planning permission in principle but delegate final determination of the
application to the Assistant Director (Planning & Development) subject to
conditions and <span class="spelle">informatives</span> and;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 35.45pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -35.45pt;">
(a)
<span class="grame">taking</span> into account any further representations
received on or before the 14th February 2013;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 35.45pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -35.45pt;">
(b)
<span class="grame">any</span> direction by the Mayor of London to refuse the
application. In accordance with Article 5 of the Town & Country Planning
(Mayor of London) Order 2008 following the Council’s determination of this
application, the Mayor is allowed 14 days to decide whether to allow the draft
decision to proceed unchanged or direct the Council under Article 6 to refuse
the application;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 35.45pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -35.45pt;">
(c)
<span class="grame">satisfactory</span> prior completion of a Section 106(s)
under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and/or other form(s) of
agreement/undertaking in order to secure the S106 matters as detailed in this
report.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="mglabel">Publication
date: </span>13/02/2013</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="mglabel">Date of
decision: </span>13/02/2013</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span class="mglabel">Decided at
meeting: </span><a href="http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=115&MID=1896">13/02/2013
- Planning Committee</a></div>
<div class="mglabel1" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Accompanying
Documents:</div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><a href="http://democracy.brent.gov.uk/documents/s15199/06-Willesden%20Green%202924.pdf" title="Link to file 06-Willesden Green 2924">06-Willesden Green 2924 <span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img alt="pdf icon" border="0" height="10" src="file:///C:/DOCUME~1/HEADTE~1/LOCALS~1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" width="10" /><span class="mgfilesize">PDF
1 MB</span></span> </a></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-19288320540333283562013-02-12T20:06:00.000+00:002013-02-12T20:06:13.108+00:00Reasons for deferral or even pulling out?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Philip Grant writes:</i><br />
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have just received the following email, which gives at
least one "technical reason" why the two WGLC applications have been deferred
from the meeting on Wednesday 13 February, although it suggests that there is
still some doubt over whether the new meeting will be on Thursday 21
February.</span></span></div>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Dear
Mr Grant</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span> </div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">You
will hopefully have been notified earlier today that both applications have
been deferred for consideration tomorrow and instead will be reported to a
future meeting. The date of the meeting will be notified to all who
have expressed views on the application including yourself.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span> </div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">One
of the consequences of deferral will be to allow amendment and updates to
the reports including reference to the Secretary of State on the
Conservation Consent item. I will update you once this has been
done.</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span> </div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Kind
regards</span><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Chris
Walker</span><span style="color: black;">Assistant Director
(Planning & Development)</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">This reply follows
exchanges of emails I have had with Mr Walker since the Planning
Officer's report on the Conservation Area Consent application (12/2925)
appeared on the Planning Committee agenda website.</span></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I had pointed out that the
recommendation made in the report, that Planning Committee should resolve to
agree the <u>Consent </u>application in principle was unlawful, as only the
Secretary of State, not Brent's Planning Committee, has authority to give any
decision on this application. This had been agreed by Mr Walker, on behalf of
then Chief Executive Gareth Daniel, as far back as May 2012, and Mr Walker had
confirmed in November 2012, that this still applied to the new application for
consent to partial demolition of the 1894 Library building.</span></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"> All that is
actually needed on this application is a brief report to Planning Committee,
advising them that they need to refer it to the Secretary of State, and making
provision for Mr Walker to implement <u>the SoS's decision</u> once
he has made it.</span></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div class="MsoNormal" dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Although the meeting
may only be deferred for a week, it means that the proposed redevelopment of
WGLC will not have received planning permission by the first anniversary of
the Development Agreement between Brent Council and Galliford Try (signed 15
February 2012). This means that either party can now cancel that agreement, as
planning approval within twelve months was a "condition precedent". It does
not mean that either of them will pull out, but it may be worth mentioning
this to your local councillors as an option they may like to consider, to stop
wasting even more money on this ill-considered
project.</span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-14485519768118057452013-02-12T16:05:00.001+00:002013-02-12T18:06:44.234+00:00Willesden Green planning application deferred to February 21st<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Galliford Try planning application for the Wiillesden Green flats and library development has been deferred until February 21st for 'technical reasons'. KWG campaigners have raised various issues about the legal status of the application over the last week or so. <br />
<br />
The email from Democratic Services to councillors on the Planning Committee is below:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dear Member,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Due
to technical reasons, the planning applications for Willesden Green
Library (references 12/2924 and 12/2925) will be deferred from tomorrow
night’s meeting. As the applications will still need to be considered
at the earliest possible time following tomorrow’s meeting, the Chair
has asked me to confirm your availability on Thursday 21 February 2013
for the special meeting.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
for any reason you will not be able to attend the meeting please
consider asking your alternate. I would appreciate it if you could
respond to this request at the earliest opportunity preferably before
10:00am tomorrow morning. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 9pt;">Joe Kwateng</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 9pt;">Democratic Services Officer</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 9pt;">Legal & Procurement Department</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 10pt;">(</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 9pt;">Direct Line: 020 8937 1354</span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Wingdings 2'; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;"><a href="mailto:joe.kwateng@brent.gov.uk" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">joe.kwateng@brent.gov.uk</span></a></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-51628419129978379302013-02-12T08:08:00.000+00:002013-02-12T08:08:09.360+00:00Council says that Galliford Try's WGLC planning application is valid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Philip Grant writes:</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black;">I received an emailed letter <span style="font-size: small;">on Monday</span> evening from Brent's
chief legal officer, Fiona Ledden, confirming the chief planning officer's
view that Galliford Try's revised planning application (12/2924) is valid,
despite its red site boundary line enclosing a larger area than that agreed by
Brent's Executive in January 2012, and which was the basis of the site
to be used for the proposed redevelopment.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black;">
<div>
</div>
<div>
Her letter contains a new and interesting reason for why the
site boundary was changed. She now says that: 'the Council as “Local Planning
Authority” needed to re-define the site boundary due to highway
considerations.' Last week Galliford Try told the local "Observer" newspaper
that they had submitted new site boundary plans, at the request of council
officers, because they 'will be undertaking significant landscaping
improvements to the area around the cultural centre, including a section of
Grange Road, to the benefit of the local community.' </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Brent's spokesperson told the newspaper that 'the
re-consultation was undertaken because of a technical boundary change' which
did not actually affect the proposed works which would be carried out. Fiona
Ledden added in her letter to me: 'You will appreciate it is not uncommon for
an application of this type to have subsequent minor revisions where
necessary.'</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
So, it was all a misunderstanding (!?). I will take this
opportunity to pass on a message of reassurance that Ms Ledden gave
me:</div>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div>
'The Council is dealing with a complex planning
application. It has two distinct roles in the matter, namely as “local
planning authority” and “landowner”. With reference to the former, may I
take this opportunity to reassure you that as the Council’s Monitoring
Officer, my role is to ensure that due process and transparency is followed
by the Council throughout the planning regime having regard to planning
policy government guidance and statute, namely the various provisions of the
Town and Country Planning Act 1990.'</div>
</blockquote>
<div dir="ltr">
We can all go along to the Planning Committee
meeting on Wednesday evening, confident that the planning application will be
dealt with fairly and openly.</div>
</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-61580720972995319612013-02-11T08:37:00.000+00:002013-02-11T08:38:38.005+00:00Willesden Town Square Inquiry opens today - public welcome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMLbs8qIlDiU4T9fy1hHubuLbFggsw2E_7PP6unusHnj7otH47mYAgDA7aE9rB3UJ5i6cYLuH46pwfYDPCdWdocv81d6wKm9VDSVtf-Eh2LDJL7Mo_GA6VTO8-owKezMU5rqJNOm96GQ/s1600/WGLC+Piazza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMLbs8qIlDiU4T9fy1hHubuLbFggsw2E_7PP6unusHnj7otH47mYAgDA7aE9rB3UJ5i6cYLuH46pwfYDPCdWdocv81d6wKm9VDSVtf-Eh2LDJL7Mo_GA6VTO8-owKezMU5rqJNOm96GQ/s400/WGLC+Piazza.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Public Inquiry into the application to register the space outside Willesden Green Library a Town Square opens this morning at 10am on the 1st floor of the Willesden Green Library Centre.<br />
<br />
The public are welcome to attend.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-3105234777568552022013-02-09T15:20:00.001+00:002013-02-09T15:20:51.261+00:00Is the proposed library building big enough?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<iframe width="420" height="260" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PUU5FCQuCCg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-57770835679903991792013-02-09T14:06:00.001+00:002013-02-09T14:06:30.600+00:00Residents speak out on unaffordable housing and 'bogus' letters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<iframe width="420" height="260" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8CthdxmE24U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-62517798932581268272013-02-09T12:57:00.002+00:002013-02-10T10:03:10.870+00:00Brent Planning Committee hear from residents on site visit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6TGQPUNZkgiFFtfSyMOuNgONrnsp_31r2mlyac-44fdB8zEamBNqw6PtdKh3mo2XLuWAusLdXDs5YaWulFAYTKfYnaVssjhIF5QIj2BhHJtfxUFOyFfiER9vCxtE8qzS4jjKG_jSdHk/s1600/DSC00142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6TGQPUNZkgiFFtfSyMOuNgONrnsp_31r2mlyac-44fdB8zEamBNqw6PtdKh3mo2XLuWAusLdXDs5YaWulFAYTKfYnaVssjhIF5QIj2BhHJtfxUFOyFfiER9vCxtE8qzS4jjKG_jSdHk/s400/DSC00142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Residents gatherered at Willesden Green library this morning to show their concern to members of the Planning Committee who were paying a site visit prior to their decision on the planning application which will be made on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Residents were able to put a number of points and questions to planning officers and the developer. Among issues raised were:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The decision being made before the outcome of the Town Square Inquiry is known and before the planning consultation period ends on February 14th</li>
<li>The 'dodgy' support letters (see this week's Kilburn Times) that appear to have been solicited by the developer</li>
<li>The smaller area of the new centre compared with the old and the erroneous inclusion of access areas in the calculation of the area of the new centre</li>
<li>The loss of parking space for visitors to the new centre, especially if it is intended to hold major cultural events there</li>
<li>The loss of natural light to the terraced houses on the roads on either side of the development</li>
<li>Misleading drawings (see below) which misrepresent the scale of the development</li>
<li>The aesthetic damage to the conservation area of an out of scale development</li>
<li>Asset striping of public land by the developer with Council support</li>
<li>Despite the huge housing list in the borough none of the new housing will be affordable </li>
<li>Council action and statements appeared to indicate pre-determination </li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwMIaKObIoWS_o39yNujz6H8ZJ4ihY1tzcURQ2Zrk1w8aq5O3mRd6LwQLVwYGc0iK8lFvcZvNhcXopmLfb1GOYOIw3XfLzlFvRknLyDrGfFELuSADjyObDWcs-8YKzg05jK67hUJLTnk/s1600/DSC00154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwMIaKObIoWS_o39yNujz6H8ZJ4ihY1tzcURQ2Zrk1w8aq5O3mRd6LwQLVwYGc0iK8lFvcZvNhcXopmLfb1GOYOIw3XfLzlFvRknLyDrGfFELuSADjyObDWcs-8YKzg05jK67hUJLTnk/s400/DSC00154.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A true representation of scale?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvzIyVb8UXHimcPsGwmD9fnV4kUAZ8PQB2coO4SN6_Im3QxEqTSJ2-mEH87P1aNGdeqyq7ORgp9gsRu9_bZtWZRHE7PaPaxphX2DpDpbfxNeF0VYWvFxEKCNWSDjtq79zvw4-WUWkusw/s1600/DSC00145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvzIyVb8UXHimcPsGwmD9fnV4kUAZ8PQB2coO4SN6_Im3QxEqTSJ2-mEH87P1aNGdeqyq7ORgp9gsRu9_bZtWZRHE7PaPaxphX2DpDpbfxNeF0VYWvFxEKCNWSDjtq79zvw4-WUWkusw/s400/DSC00145.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Delivering our messages</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghM7XNLyFUXBmFgPY4Aqrd4I0qsy6aYFDMKZUg1xhrAIwzZ-TBKYmRBOTznH0YEUPLCOOT3dncOCEQEtYdUjeZO41cr2arXudhhpZmmQi0OCb7YkX7Q0OUfuMNEi0KguTJ00f2q6HcMac/s1600/DSC00165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghM7XNLyFUXBmFgPY4Aqrd4I0qsy6aYFDMKZUg1xhrAIwzZ-TBKYmRBOTznH0YEUPLCOOT3dncOCEQEtYdUjeZO41cr2arXudhhpZmmQi0OCb7YkX7Q0OUfuMNEi0KguTJ00f2q6HcMac/s400/DSC00165.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This area will be flats</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqunaou4gMb6Y33kyFEhkNEXaW2N5OZhCjBl0wsw68aP_sT6sEyhsoZxtaawGEQAZVWc8znIu6mCZEABy16Inwr35u_4Smy5hOwZXvsK0MTOsEc3xbUNrEns4jYbwVYCI4HsvpkKuGDoA/s1600/DSC00167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqunaou4gMb6Y33kyFEhkNEXaW2N5OZhCjBl0wsw68aP_sT6sEyhsoZxtaawGEQAZVWc8znIu6mCZEABy16Inwr35u_4Smy5hOwZXvsK0MTOsEc3xbUNrEns4jYbwVYCI4HsvpkKuGDoA/s400/DSC00167.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This house and its neighbours will be over-shadowed by flats</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez8UX0V_V375h7CFs50OqUFGkVurpw2cx4SKR40xYGnC8_N__-x3n8fNOMCRXmoNJlRgVwbRyUJyiqkhP3mFUOyxKQXgz0u8g2Jpi88l4sUjToer-bIY1wOxht_LL4qQcgzUMUhcu84s/s1600/DSC00172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez8UX0V_V375h7CFs50OqUFGkVurpw2cx4SKR40xYGnC8_N__-x3n8fNOMCRXmoNJlRgVwbRyUJyiqkhP3mFUOyxKQXgz0u8g2Jpi88l4sUjToer-bIY1wOxht_LL4qQcgzUMUhcu84s/s400/DSC00172.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Marking the spot in the present library where the flats will end</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It seemed towards the end of the visit that councillors had still not been given a true idea of the dimensions, particularly the height, of the new housing development and its domination of the conservation area. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-5716165678839203532013-02-08T22:00:00.003+00:002013-02-08T22:00:43.174+00:00Gather at Willesden Green Library on Saturday to show your concern<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Please gather at Willesden Green Library tomorrow (Saturday February 9th) to show your concern when the members of the Planning Committee pay <span style="font-size: small;">a site visit at 9.45am ahead of the Planning Committee</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> decision on the redevelopment.</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></b></div>
</span><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">The Council has recently changed the committee rules in
a way that "applications may not be discussed at that time”. However at
the end of the visit "the applicant and a representative of the
objectors may briefly draw attention to any aspect of the site that is
relevant”. It would be good to have a significant number of people
present at that, including children, if possible.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
</span><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
</span><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">The non-statutory public inquiry into the</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">application to regis<span style="font-size: small;">ter the land at the front of the Library as public space will be at the Library on Monday 11th F<span style="font-size: small;">ebruary a<span style="font-size: small;">t </span>10am.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></b></span><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
The planning meeting to decide on the development is still on for Feb 13th. (</span><span style="color: #222222;">7pm at <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brent</span></span></span> Town Hall, items 6 & 7 on the agenda).</span><span style="color: black;"> Rather oddly as the enquiry mentioned above won’t have finished till the day after, and also the ' consultation' period won't be over till 14th February!!! (<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">H</span></span>appy Valentines Day from Brent Council)</span></span></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
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</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-65069090719512887032013-02-08T21:39:00.003+00:002013-02-08T21:39:25.922+00:00 Validity of Galliford Try planning application site still an open issue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ur26U6zwrus9Q3-9gmuhotvDelkVprI8TrVpcB-yZz1PEoGGIunBiQVXeY358ZVVQA0c1Piz2O2pEqa0Qo3PBGa2A8bdJywBv4JI2Tu_OPl1s2fkvHBCmwx7LPR8CX6aMPuuCMTMcpE/s1600/7+Feb+2013+W&WO+article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ur26U6zwrus9Q3-9gmuhotvDelkVprI8TrVpcB-yZz1PEoGGIunBiQVXeY358ZVVQA0c1Piz2O2pEqa0Qo3PBGa2A8bdJywBv4JI2Tu_OPl1s2fkvHBCmwx7LPR8CX6aMPuuCMTMcpE/s640/7+Feb+2013+W&WO+article.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wiembley and Willesden Observer February 7th 2013</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black;"></span></span></span><br />
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black;">Philip Grant writes: </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right: 0px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black;">Despite Galliford Try saying that 'this claim is completely
misleading', and a Brent Council spokesperson saying 'we regard the
application as valid', the issue highlighted in yesterday's "Wembley &
Willesden Observer" (above) has not gone away. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black;">
<div>
</div>
<div>
When Brent Planning Service sent a response
(see: "Formal challenge issued on validity of Willesden Green planning
application", 23 January, below) earlier this week, they would not even
acknowledge that the application which they validated on 2 November 2012 was,
in fact, invalid. Although they said that the revised plans which Galliford
Try submitted to "correct" the application were now valid, they did not answer
the point which was raised, that the site plan includes a larger area
than that actually agreed by Brent's Executive and included in the Development
Agreement.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dissatisfied with that reply, I referred the matter to
Brent's Acting Chief Executive, Christine Gilbert, on Wednesday, as the matter
is too important to allow it to be swept under the carpet. As far as I am
aware, Brent's Executive has not agreed that the site boundary can be
extended. If any Council Officer has agreed it, or has allowed it to be done
without raising any objection, what authority do they have for this? It will
be interesting to see whether the Executive is asked to approve the
larger site, by way of an emergency item at the end of next Monday's already
busy agenda, "just to be on the safe side".</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The extra 1180 square metres added to the Willesden Green
Library Centre development site is not a "land grab", in as far as the land
will remain in Brent's ownership, but the fact that Galliford Try are now
showing a larger site than that agreed by Brent's Executive is there for all
to see, in black and red. There needs to be transparency about what is going
on here, and whether or not it has been validly authorised. If it has not,
then proper procedures need to be
followed.</div>
</span></span></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJyliOMBHZyctgbj_TRc2xJBOSEedN45xW74hu9gUTYDwpSYuBUK0bNj-ZuHCzPvUd89220kv2cscqiXxKGG47-KPUhnq1F1gbSR0Mhh1cgUD0Q8be62QZ5IZultOM1IiMo0ZkLow5Dg/s1600/Plan+A+and+B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJyliOMBHZyctgbj_TRc2xJBOSEedN45xW74hu9gUTYDwpSYuBUK0bNj-ZuHCzPvUd89220kv2cscqiXxKGG47-KPUhnq1F1gbSR0Mhh1cgUD0Q8be62QZ5IZultOM1IiMo0ZkLow5Dg/s640/Plan+A+and+B.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Plan A, Site Plan<span style="font-size: small;">,</span>Brent Executive Jan 2012 Plan B, Revised Site Plan, Galliford Try </i>Dec 2012</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-32659094348643082422013-02-08T13:51:00.000+00:002013-02-08T13:51:27.124+00:00Butt: developers will deliver a better and brighter Brent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, was questioned last night at the Town Hall meeting about the Willesden Green development. He was asked about the Council's close relationship with developers and the statement that there was a 'presumption in favour of development.' Furthermore, wasn't Brent Council the co-developer with Galliford Try at Willesden Green?<br />
<br />
He replied:<br />
<br />
It's the developers who will help us deliver our vision for Brent: a better and brighter Brent.<br />
<br />
Fiona Ledden, director of Procurement and Legal, said that she was confident that Brent has a robust Planning Committee.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-18812786138800723552013-02-02T18:04:00.000+00:002013-02-02T18:05:34.984+00:00Still time to object to the Willesden Walrus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOny52aZSrxLbSgU-qFk6m7Yol0A3uMhcgCV6DgCc3wCD-XIldKY7VYkWHUEY6DpPH0bEjQ7w7s4S43a7XRMa7Gr9kxAmd_Y64Tj0KYU0W_be3aO8xgkHnD5LErzBodppKWv8lIDrP-g/s1600/Do+you+want+this.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOny52aZSrxLbSgU-qFk6m7Yol0A3uMhcgCV6DgCc3wCD-XIldKY7VYkWHUEY6DpPH0bEjQ7w7s4S43a7XRMa7Gr9kxAmd_Y64Tj0KYU0W_be3aO8xgkHnD5LErzBodppKWv8lIDrP-g/s640/Do+you+want+this.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There will be a visit to the Willesden Green Library by the Planning Committee on 9th February at 9.45am.. There is still time to send in objections to
both Planning Applications 12/2924 and 12/2925 in response to the
Planning officer's report. See KWG blog spot below<br />
<br />
Link for objection <a href="https://forms.brent.gov.uk/servlet/ep.ext">https://forms.brent.gov.uk/servlet/ep.ext</a> and then click on the "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b>comment on this application"</b></span> link to leave comment.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-42149653164169300332013-02-02T15:34:00.000+00:002013-02-02T15:35:27.665+00:00Planning Committee site visit to WGLC on February 9th<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Please
note that there will be a Planning Committee site visit on Saturday 9th
February at 9.45am to Willesden Green Library Centre, Public Square and Car Park. Apparently the
Council has just changed the committee rules in a way that "applications
may not be discussed at that time". However at the end of the visit "
the applicant and a representative of the objectors may briefly draw
attention to any aspect of the site that is relevant...</span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-42062607086317976422013-02-01T22:59:00.003+00:002013-02-01T23:37:51.805+00:00Brent Council goes ahead with tabling Willesden Green planning application before submission deadline and Public Inquiry ends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Brent Planning Committee is to consider the planning application for the Willesden Green Cultural Centre on February 13th despite the Public Inquiry for the Willesden Town Centre continuing until February 14th. This is also the final date for submissions on the planning application.<br />
<br />
The Council get over this little problem by recommending that the Committee (which is supposed to be independent of the Council) grant consent in principle and delegate the final decision to the Deputy Director of Planning and Development who will make the decision:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(a) taking into account any further representations received on or before the 14th February 2013;<br />
(b) any direction by the Mayor of London to refuse the application. In accordance with Article 5 of the Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 following the Council’s determination of this application, the Mayor is allowed 14 days to decide whether to allow the draft decision to proceed unchanged or direct the Council under Article 6 to refuse the application;<br />
(c) Satisfactory prior completion of a Section 106(s) under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and/or other form(s) of agreement/undertaking in order to secure the S106 matters as detailed in this report</blockquote>
and for the conservation area consent:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(b) any direction by the National Planning Casework Unit, the Secretary of State having considered the matter, to refuse the application</blockquote>
<br />
The Officer's reports are available below: </div>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="120" scrolling="no" src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=D524A61DAE3D76CD&resid=D524A61DAE3D76CD%21139&authkey=ABueseHI4CZoVKc" width="98"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="120" scrolling="no" src="https://skydrive.live.com/embed?cid=D524A61DAE3D76CD&resid=D524A61DAE3D76CD%21140&authkey=AJIKE7cSmcvLIes" width="98"></iframe></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-80604639428247209652013-01-31T20:23:00.000+00:002013-01-31T20:24:05.208+00:00GT comment on 'suspicious' surge in support for their development<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n7og4lzZ8hu78H6ApfGOSPnz-r8Qd24NP9zsAMYzDX-bBk-Rj_Ae6leZ3qEoe-lTJRrdz3Xv3ezQxV2x_DdicG3vdO0ESaDkDFoaBusR49eBmTDZhEbLfREdsa2mu_rksVXN58mQ_yA/s1600/KT+GT_2+plus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n7og4lzZ8hu78H6ApfGOSPnz-r8Qd24NP9zsAMYzDX-bBk-Rj_Ae6leZ3qEoe-lTJRrdz3Xv3ezQxV2x_DdicG3vdO0ESaDkDFoaBusR49eBmTDZhEbLfREdsa2mu_rksVXN58mQ_yA/s640/KT+GT_2+plus.JPG" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kilburn Times 31.1.13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8127315086464905746.post-43937673380891585182013-01-28T10:52:00.000+00:002013-01-28T10:52:39.803+00:00Willesden Wassail shows our Town Square at its best<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvWo5FZBT0_znYaNcb_gryHaf1dyCbglie4XbYWgqQEnK2mTDqo6XjeHGxRXrzXUtupCDsBIebk6_-xqc4eKAbY7KknXmbiLFmLc9yS_LR_SKcvvkEeGzBNDxexv4yT9OTBclnGXbZzk/s1600/Wassail_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvWo5FZBT0_znYaNcb_gryHaf1dyCbglie4XbYWgqQEnK2mTDqo6XjeHGxRXrzXUtupCDsBIebk6_-xqc4eKAbY7KknXmbiLFmLc9yS_LR_SKcvvkEeGzBNDxexv4yT9OTBclnGXbZzk/s640/Wassail_1.jpg" width="429" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wembley and Willesden Observer December 24th 2013</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1