Friday, 2 March 2012
Willesden Green Consultation: a shambolic sham?
We are gathering feedback from the individual consultation sessions that were held this week on the Willesden Green Regeneration. Individuals and small groups met with Brent Regeneration, Galliford Try, the project architect and Remarkable Public Relations.
It became clear that the Consultation Team acknowledged that the communications.consultation strategy thus far has been poor. However, they appeared confident about their ability to bring residents on side in a scheme which they felt was strong because of the zero cost to the council and the fact that, in their eyes, there was no alternative.
They said that the demolition of the Old Library was required in order to build the 90 plus flats behind the new building. They justified the lack of play space in the development by their expectation that as they would be one or two bedroomed flats there would be few children and thus no impact on local schools. There is of course no justification for such an assumption and many local families live in extremely over-crowded conditions. None of the team lived in Willesden which is a real weakness in terms of local sensitivities.
Brent Regeneration appeared to give some ground on possibly bookshop space, according to some who attended, but this could not automatically be allocated the the Willesden Bookshop. It would have to be offered on the open market.
When the Team said that this was the beginning of the 'real consultation' a KWG supporter retorted that this was like discussing what kind of lock to put on a stable door long after the horse has bolted. When they were asked if the two day consultation had thrown up a single person who actually supported the plans, the ensuing silence said it all.
Consultees were assured that the trees would stay and there would be an application to move the bus stop. The Team were more confident that residents that the Planning Committees decision would be impartial and independent. One resident felt that the project architect was less than proud of the plans for the development and he suggested this was due to the constraints imposed on the developer.
Residents felt that often the Team were unable or unwilling to answer detailed questions on the scheme, including how the building would be managed and maintained on completion. Despite the loss of the car park, which will be built on, they confirmed that there will be NO public parking for the Cultural Centre - just 2 'mother and baby spaces' and 6 for the disabled. There would be no extra Pay and Display in the surrounding streets.
They were challenged that their plans amounted to a net loss to the neighbourhood of a landmark building and valued bookshop and a net gain of offices for Brent Council.
Asked about the status of this part of the consultation Remarkable PR replied that it would feed into the Community Involvement section of the planning application.
Following the controversies over Equality Impact Assessments in the legal proceedings and the need under the Equalities Act to ensure that no section of the community was discriminated against, it was surprising that the Teams recording of the age, ethnicity etc of consultees was haphazard with some residents reporting that there was little consistency in documenting demographic details. Some were asked to fill in a form and others were not.
One resident concluded, "Overall, I think the experience confirmed my suspicion that the consultation is a sham and I let them know that."
It became clear that the Consultation Team acknowledged that the communications.consultation strategy thus far has been poor. However, they appeared confident about their ability to bring residents on side in a scheme which they felt was strong because of the zero cost to the council and the fact that, in their eyes, there was no alternative.
They said that the demolition of the Old Library was required in order to build the 90 plus flats behind the new building. They justified the lack of play space in the development by their expectation that as they would be one or two bedroomed flats there would be few children and thus no impact on local schools. There is of course no justification for such an assumption and many local families live in extremely over-crowded conditions. None of the team lived in Willesden which is a real weakness in terms of local sensitivities.
Brent Regeneration appeared to give some ground on possibly bookshop space, according to some who attended, but this could not automatically be allocated the the Willesden Bookshop. It would have to be offered on the open market.
When the Team said that this was the beginning of the 'real consultation' a KWG supporter retorted that this was like discussing what kind of lock to put on a stable door long after the horse has bolted. When they were asked if the two day consultation had thrown up a single person who actually supported the plans, the ensuing silence said it all.
Consultees were assured that the trees would stay and there would be an application to move the bus stop. The Team were more confident that residents that the Planning Committees decision would be impartial and independent. One resident felt that the project architect was less than proud of the plans for the development and he suggested this was due to the constraints imposed on the developer.
Residents felt that often the Team were unable or unwilling to answer detailed questions on the scheme, including how the building would be managed and maintained on completion. Despite the loss of the car park, which will be built on, they confirmed that there will be NO public parking for the Cultural Centre - just 2 'mother and baby spaces' and 6 for the disabled. There would be no extra Pay and Display in the surrounding streets.
They were challenged that their plans amounted to a net loss to the neighbourhood of a landmark building and valued bookshop and a net gain of offices for Brent Council.
Asked about the status of this part of the consultation Remarkable PR replied that it would feed into the Community Involvement section of the planning application.
Following the controversies over Equality Impact Assessments in the legal proceedings and the need under the Equalities Act to ensure that no section of the community was discriminated against, it was surprising that the Teams recording of the age, ethnicity etc of consultees was haphazard with some residents reporting that there was little consistency in documenting demographic details. Some were asked to fill in a form and others were not.
One resident concluded, "Overall, I think the experience confirmed my suspicion that the consultation is a sham and I let them know that."
Green Mayoral candidate backs 'Keep Willesden Green' campaign
The Willesden Green redevelopment became an issue in the London Mayoral and GLA contest today when Jenny Jones, the Green Party candidate for London Mayor, added her voice to the campaign to save Willesden Green Library from ‘flawed’ private development
Green Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones has backed Brent Green Party’s involvement in the campaign,
Under Brent Council proposals a private developer will be given a portion of the land to build 90-95 residential units at market prices despite the Council’s long waiting list for affordable housing.
Both Jones and local Green candidate for Brent and Harrow, Dr Shahrar Ali, added their voices to the ‘Keep Willesden Green campaign’, stating that the council has pushed through plans without proper public consultation, prioritising the concerns of a private developer over those of the residents they serve.
Dr Ali said: "I am full square behind the campaign of local residents to have the Willesden Green redevelopment proposal properly reconciled to the needs and wishes of those most affected by it.
“If necessary, it should be kicked into the long grass. I well understand, time and again, residents’ sense of betrayal in the hands of a Council whose library decimation smokescreen seems to know no bounds."
Jones said: “Not satisfied with closing half its libraries, Brent Council is now proposing a flawed redevelopment of Willesden Green Library.
“The plans will see the much loved and locally listed Old Willesden Library bull-dozed with the closure of the renowned Willesden Bookshop, a shop that has served Brent's diverse population, especially its children, for more than 20 years.
“Brent Green Party has been fully behind the local library campaigns and I applaud the people of Brent who are challenging the Council's cultural vandalism.
“Greens respond to the aspirations of local people to participate in developing and enriching their neighbourhoods and shopping streets, rather than letting developers dictate regeneration in the interests of private profit.”
Green Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones has backed Brent Green Party’s involvement in the campaign,
Under Brent Council proposals a private developer will be given a portion of the land to build 90-95 residential units at market prices despite the Council’s long waiting list for affordable housing.
Both Jones and local Green candidate for Brent and Harrow, Dr Shahrar Ali, added their voices to the ‘Keep Willesden Green campaign’, stating that the council has pushed through plans without proper public consultation, prioritising the concerns of a private developer over those of the residents they serve.
Dr Ali said: "I am full square behind the campaign of local residents to have the Willesden Green redevelopment proposal properly reconciled to the needs and wishes of those most affected by it.
“If necessary, it should be kicked into the long grass. I well understand, time and again, residents’ sense of betrayal in the hands of a Council whose library decimation smokescreen seems to know no bounds."
Jones said: “Not satisfied with closing half its libraries, Brent Council is now proposing a flawed redevelopment of Willesden Green Library.
“The plans will see the much loved and locally listed Old Willesden Library bull-dozed with the closure of the renowned Willesden Bookshop, a shop that has served Brent's diverse population, especially its children, for more than 20 years.
“Brent Green Party has been fully behind the local library campaigns and I applaud the people of Brent who are challenging the Council's cultural vandalism.
“Greens respond to the aspirations of local people to participate in developing and enriching their neighbourhoods and shopping streets, rather than letting developers dictate regeneration in the interests of private profit.”
Willesden Green regeneration in the news again
The Brent and Kilburn Times had lots of coverage of the Willesden Green Library regeneration this week. Here are some cuttings:
Make sure you get down to the Exhibition and give your views on March 9th or 10th
Questions for Brent's Conservation Officer
Letter to Mark Smith, Brent Council's Conservation Officer
Dear Mark Smith,
We recently spoke on the phone regarding the plans for the Regeneration of Willesden Green. I mentioned during our conversation that I was concerned that the plans included the Demolition of the old 1894 Library currently occupied by BIAS.
You said that you had been involved in discussion with the Regeneration team and that it was your view that the financial benefits of the proposals outweigh the reasons for retaining a significant heritage asset within the Conservation Area of Willesden Green High Road.
I am aware that your decision making will be made in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 5 and would like clarification on the following:
HE3.1 gives guidance of Policy approach.
Please could you let me know the details of your proactive strategy to conserve the historic environment of the High Road. I notice that the Spotted Dog has a retained façade. Clearly architectural context is respected and preserved by your department.
Have all the points (i-iii) of HE3.1 been considered with regard to the Old library Building?
Please can you direct me to the Brent local framework strategy for the High Road Conservation Area. I am particularly interested in the Council’s policy on investment in Heritage Asset. Surely, as a landmark building, the historic library building gives an important sense of place. Its history and plaque are fitting tribute to the rate payers of Willesden, who worked hard to ensure literacy. Is this not the ideal context for any new development?
Please can you also let me know the extent of Consultation that has been carried out to understand local community views. I notice that the Council carried out a Consultation of a target audience of 12 people. I have spoken to several of the people involved in that Consultation. They have all said that they requested that the Old Library should be preserved. Please also note that subsequent to the plans being published, there is a strong objection locally to the Galliford Try scheme. A petition has been circulated during the last 3 weeks and well over 1000 signatures have been collected. Planning Policy Statement 5 paragraph HE7.3 tells me that reasonable steps should be taken to seek the views of the Community. Please can these steps be taken during the current Consultation period? Your comments regarding, the Consultation to date would be appreciated.
Has the following been considered carefully?
HE9.1 says that there should be a presumption in favour of the conservation of designated heritage assets and the more significant the designated heritage asset, the greater the presumption in favour of its conservation should be. Once lost, heritage assets cannot be replaced and their loss has a cultural, environmental, economic and social impact. Significance can be harmed or lost through alteration or destruction
of the heritage asset or development within its setting. Loss affecting any designated heritage asset should require clear and convincing justification.
Please let me know where I can find your report justifying the demolition of the 1894 Library? I assume, as a contract has been signed with Galliford Try for a development including the demolition of the Old 1894 Library, that a report has been written by your department giving guidance on the following:
HE9.2 Where the application will lead to substantial harm to or total loss of significance, local planning authorities should refuse consent unless it can be demonstrated that:(i) the substantial harm to or loss of significance is necessary in order to deliver substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm or loss; or(ii) (a) the nature of the heritage asset prevents all reasonable uses of the site; and(b) no viable use of the heritage asset itself can be found in the medium term that will enable its conservation; and(c ) conservation through grant-funding or some form of charitable orpublic ownership is not possible; and(d) the harm to or loss of the heritage asset is outweighed by the benefits ofbringing the site back into use.
My own view is as follows;
The Old Library makes a positive contribution to the character of Willesden Green. It is a landmark building and a monument to the determination of the local 1894 poll tax payers who raised funds in times of terrible poverty to provide books, a library and ensure literacy. Surely it is these historic values that should be celebrated and influence the future character of the area?
The development should be informed by The Old library, not facilitated by it’s demolition. It reinforces meaning and civility and it’s presence should enhance our relationship with the new building. It is an inherent and unique part of the Willesden Cultural heritage and should be recognised as a catalyst for regeneration. It should be valued, conserved, restored and put to a suitable and viable use in the new Library Centre. The area around the Old Library is an attractive gathering space and lively market place, it makes a good contribution to the economic vitality of the High Road. This space is an essential part of our local townscape.
Please consider these matters before an Application is submitted to ensure that Public funds are not wasted on developing plans for a scheme that has not followed normal Planning procedure.
Kind regards
Kate Spence
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Brent celebrates history of Willesden High Road weeks before they obliterate it!
Honestly, you couldn't make it up. Weeks before they are due to bulldoze the old Victorian Willesden Library into oblivion, Brent Council is mounting an exhibition on the history of the High Road whose most distinctive feature is.... Victorian Willesden Library.
From Brent Council's website:
On the High Road
March-July 2012, Special Exhibitions Gallery, Brent Museum
The exhibition will explore how the High Road has changed over the years, from the late nineteenth century when it was a semi-rural roadway, offering a small range of shops and services to the local population, to the diverse and vibrant street we see today.
Using images from Brent Archives and incorporating the work of local artists inspired by the area, the exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to reflect on the changing face of the High Road.
Join us for one of two High Road history walks to find out more about the fascinating stories that lie behind every door; to find out more, visit our events page.
From Brent Council's website:
On the High Road
March-July 2012, Special Exhibitions Gallery, Brent Museum
Brent Museum's new exhibition on the history of Willesden High Road will be opening in March 2012.
The exhibition will explore how the High Road has changed over the years, from the late nineteenth century when it was a semi-rural roadway, offering a small range of shops and services to the local population, to the diverse and vibrant street we see today.
Using images from Brent Archives and incorporating the work of local artists inspired by the area, the exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to reflect on the changing face of the High Road.
Join us for one of two High Road history walks to find out more about the fascinating stories that lie behind every door; to find out more, visit our events page.
STOP, LISTEN, REFLECT: Get the message out on Willesden Green plans
 | ||
| Shop/house window poster |
You can download your own A4 version as a PDF HERE
We are pressing the Council/Galliford Try to STOP, LISTEN AND REFLECT to enable residents to say what they think of the proposals and what they want for their community. It is important that this message gets to them on the Exhibition/Feedback days to be held at the Willesden Green Library Centre on Martch 9th and 10th.
We do not accept that this development is a 'done deal'.
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