Future of Willesden Police Station

The proposed closure of the station is reported to be temporarily "on hold", but the Safer Neighbourhood Team will remain at their new base in Walm Lane.  The argument for closure has always been that the building is not fit for the purpose of modern policing and it is suspected that this will remain the strongest argument against it staying open rather than any political party led "campaign" that purports to  have "saved" the station from closure.


A new and more pressing argument may be generated by the statement from Deputy Commissioner, Tim Goodwin, that the Police need to save £48m from next year's budget.  He said the force was facing "considerable pressure" which could see "unfit" police stations and custody suites replaced with front counters.  If there's a stark choice, I would rather see officer numbers maintained rather than unfit buildings and suspect this would be a view shared by a number of Willesden residents.  

Willesden Green "Neighbourhood Working"

Each ward in Brent has a "Neighbourhood Working" project. Councillors, officers and resident representatives meet for regular walkabouts or discussions to identify issues which could be helped by the small funds for each ward.

In Willesden it was agreed to use funds last year to put up "Neighbourhood Watch" signs to help encourage other roads to join in. Also purchased were graffiti removal kits which the local police distributed to shop keepers and a percentage of time for mobile CCTV cameras. There was concern about some anti-social behaviour involving young people in the Library area and wanted some positive ways to avoid it. Youth Service officers discussed alternative activities with young people and the fund supported music production workshops as part of the Youth Services' "Summer University Programme". Noticed the sofa seating in the Library vestibule? They are from Neighbourhood Working funds as well and are well used.

We can only spend the funds on actions and functions that are not the council's responsibility to deal with. We shall soon meet to consider the projects for this year and would welcome more ideas from residents.

Redundant crossovers

Some residents may know of sites with "redundant" crossovers - places where cars used to cross and park but no longer needed if the site has been redeveloped. These can be returned to pavement and some more parking space created. This is particularly helpful in a controlled area where parking is tight. A redundant crossover found in Beaconsfield Road is one example. The pavement was restored and additional parking bay space provided. Let me know if there are similar redundant crossovers in your road or area.

Loss of family housing?

Large parts of Willesden Green consist of Victorian and Edwardian terrace houses. I am concerned that so many family size houses have been converted to flats or bedsits over the past ten years or so and reducing the stock of larger properties the borough so badly needs. Like other London boroughs, Brent has a very long list of families applying for affordable housing. Many are currently in overcrowded conditions and wait a long time for a suitable property to become available.

In some Willesden roads, nearly half of the houses appear to have been converted already and have changed the community of residents. I suspect that some developers focus on roads with houses of very similar dimensions and style so they can use the same plans for different planning applications.

It is therefore good to know that the planning service can sometimes refuse an application (using policy H17) that would result in the loss of “a small purpose-built family dwelling” failing to “aid in the retention of mixed and balanced communities through a variety of housing sizes.” I would welcome this policy guidance being used more regularly in Willesden.

Satellite dishes - No longer needed?

A resident has pointed out that there are satellite dishes all over Willesden and they do spoil the look of houses. Before 2004 planning permission was required generally, but national guidance changed the policy, so that permission only needed in conservation areas and for listed buildings. Suspect assumption was that the technology was changing and dishes would eventually be obsolete. Problem may be that they are not removed even when no use any more. The Borough is developing new policies and guidelines in the Local Development Framework that all authorities expected to produce. I am contacting the planning service to find discover current thinking on dishes and whether related policies or guidance are being developed.

Building on Willesden Reservoir?

Thames Water is considering putting in a planning application for 49 dwellings on the “brown field” part of the Reservoir.  Thames Water has delivered leaflets to households most likely to be affected by the development – Harlesden and Kings Roads.  I have met with residents to explain the planning process and how they might put their comments and objections when there is a formal planning application. 

Sainsbury's car park

Delighted to report that the Brent Highways Committee have agreed to officers' recommendations to remove parking bays in Richmond Avenue, the entry to the supermarket from the High Road. I see this as a sensible decision at last, having urged both the Council and Sainsbury’s to retain the current entry and exit to the store rather than proposing unsuccessful planning applications for entry via Ellis Close and a complicated revision of the car park itself. It was also agreed to create a new bay in Ellis Close and to step up enforcement. This should ensure a safer entry and exit for customers and the increased enforcement should deal more effectively with the suspected misuse of disabled blue badges in the area. Less good news was the removal of recycling facilities at Sainsbury's a few months ago. There are too few recycling sites in the ward - especially for cardboard.

Willesden fly-tips

Sadly, Willesden tops the list for fly tipping in the borough, with 89 incidents in April, 76 in May and 67 in June. While incidents are decreasing, we must do our bit to stop people dumping to avoid the collection charge brought in by the current Lib Dem/ Conservative council administration. Under the Waste “Duty of Care” regulations, householders are responsible for making sure that their waste is disposed of legally or they could face a fine. They need to check if someone knocking on their door offering to remove bulky items are authorised waste collectors and not “cowboys” who will dump the rubbish anywhere. New rules also make it easier for councils to take action against anyone caught illegally transporting waste or caught fly-tipping.  If you see a dumping incident it can be reported to 8937 5050 or let me know.  Pass the soap ....

A brief history of Willesden Green

The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon 'Wellesdune', meaning 'the hill of the spring'. The Doomsday book of 1086 records it as 'Wellesdone'. By the 14th century there were houses and farms. By the middle of the 18th century the village had grown and had its own pub, The Spotted Dog, described in 1792 as 'a well accustomed Publick House'. In the 19th century it was famous for its pleasure gardens and in the 1920s boasted a dance hall.

In the early 18th century Willesden was notorious for 'baby farming', when unwanted infants from London were sent to be nursed. Before the coming of the railway, Willesden was essentially an agricultural area, supplying hay, milk and horses to London.

In the 19th century there were some large mansions and professional people living alongside farmers. Poorer cottages were built too, including on Pound Lane (named after a brick animal pound demolished in 1895). The Metropolitan Railway opened Willesden Green Station in 1879. At one time in the 1890s four houses were being built in the area every day. From 1870s, the Furness Brick Works (Chambers Lane) was supplying bricks and tiles and employed many residents. The Anglo-Catholic St Andrew's Church provided a church school and some social facilities, including a men's club, a parish library and a soup kitchen. By the start of the 20th century farms disappeared and were replaced by villas and cottages. By 1910 most of the original Green had disappeared.

Shops grew along the High Road. Many inhabitants worked in building and transport. The original Willesden Library was built in 1894.

During WW1 many Willesden residents were out of work. Willesden suffered severe bomb damage during WW2, because of the concentration of industry and railway lines. In October 1940 more bombs fell on Willesden than on East Ham. Willesden's war effort is marked by a memorial in Willesden New Cemetery. Willesden purchased a bomber and a Spitfire named Borough of Willesden and flown by a Polish squadron. At this time many Irish people came to live in Willesden Green. They worked in factories supplying the armed forces.

From “Brent Heritage” http://www.brent-heritage.co.uk/index.htm