B&Q devt news. Remarkable developments (indebted to NW2 residents association newsletter for this update) The inquiry into Montreaux's planning application for the B&Q site (1049 residential units, up to 18 storeys) is coming in February next year. On last Tuesday evening, Barnet's Strategic Planning Committee met to decide how to approach it. Council officers proposed to treat it as if for an appeal and because the committee had voted to approve the application last year, the council should support it at the inquiry. However, Ben Tansley for NorthWestTwo Residents pointed out that it's an inquiry not an appeal. And the surprising and gratifying result is that the committee voted 1:6 against the officers proposal; and Barnet Council is now therefore opposing the application!
Furthermore it turns out that Barnet’s draft Local Plan says the "indicative capacity" of the B&Q site is 1,009 units. The council has now revealed how they came to that figure; they'd categorised the centre of Cricklewood not as suburban or urban, but "central", as if it was a bit of Central London that was already dense with high-rise blocks! The urban category instead describes Cricklewood quite well - partly terraces and mansion blocks, two to four storeys high, and so on. But "urban" gets lower densities and would work out to about 500 units on the B&Q site - much more sensible. Brent Council didn’t seek to defend the ‘central’ categorisation.
The inspectors have given Barnet a deadline of 30 November for all their proposed changes to the Local Plan. After that's been pulled together, there's going to be another consultation on the plan, led by the inspectors this time. Possibly the council will reduce that figure of 1,009 units..
If the Local Plan is changed it looks promising that the inquiry and hence the Secretary of State will turn down Montreaux's application.
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reminder Brent Connects meeting Tues 15 Nov 6pm to 8pm. Regular event (currently on zoom) for people to feed back views to Brent Council. The meeting will focus on: Selective Licensing, The Cost of Living Crisis, The Budget & Borough Plan and will also include a discussion on Cleaner Streets. Also opportunity to raise and discuss other issues. Register at link:
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£5000 grant to make Brent greener. Brent's Together Towards Zero Grant is open now. If you have an idea for a project that can help to tackle climate change and make your local area greener - you could get up to £5,000 worth of funding to bring it to life! (Previous applications were limited to £1,000 - so Brent is encouraging all the communities to be creative, ambitious and think bigger.) An example last time was our excellent local Willesden Green Town Team who used their grant funding to put up planters by Willesden Green Station. These provide a vital source of food for pollinators and also create a green and visual addition to the local area. Some of you may have been involved in the work! More and to apply
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Further to notice of bank scams John has just received and deleted an email purporting to be from HMRC which informs him he is due for a refund of £900+. Beware all!
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| Upholsterers. Thanks to those who replied to appeal; now have 4 recommendations on our MapRA site! |
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Current local Planning applications
(For details search Brent Planning New items in red)
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- Appn 22/3630, 21a Exeter Road. Comments by 25 November
Proposed erection of outbuilding in the rear garden
- Appn 22/3518, Whixall House, Exeter Road. Comments by 17 November
Removal of existing rear conservatory and verandah, single storey side extension, external metal staircase and two single storey structures on the front elevation that were once porch entrances and replacement of roof as a mansard structure, construction of two single storey rear extensions, a full height side extension set down from the principal roof, a two-storey gabled front entrance extension, re-cladding of the existing structure and replacement of existing windows to dwellinghouse
- Appn 21/4175, 69 Walm Lane. Appeal against Brent Planning refusal. Comments to Planning Inspetorate by 23 November
Retrospective permission for front decking seating area and retracting canopy and proposed increase in flat roof height to accommodate mezzanine and alterations to shopfront
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Police contact. NWMailbox-.SNTMapesbury&Cricklewood@met.police.uk.
(However still use 101 to report ongoing problems or 999 in emergency.)
Brent vaccination schedule. Link
Virus Support information. https://www.brent.gov.uk/covidtesting
Guide to tradesmen and services. https://mapra.org.uk/local-traders
Ashford Place https://www.ashfordplace.org.uk/;
Cricklewood Library update
Latest from Brent Council £5000 grant to make Brent greener
Culture in Brent: Islamophobia awareness month +t
Brent Environment Network Newsletter: Spring, new leaf
London National Park City Network Newsletter
MapRA Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/mapesburyRA
Gerry Weston https://www.mapra.org.uk/
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