Agenda item

This report provides an update on the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme and seeks Cabinet approval for up to £7.4m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy capital funding to deliver public realm and highways infrastructure improvements in and around Neasden Town Centre.

In considering the report Cabinet noted the comments made by Councillors Ahmed and Dixon (as local ward councillors for Dollis Hill) in support of the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme.  Highlighting the diversity, history and vibrant nature of Neasden the challenges faced in the area, particularly in relation to social and economic inequalities were also recognised with the proposals and funding (which it was noted included £3.1m in capital grant funding from the Mayor of London and up to £7.4m from Brent’s Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy) outlined within the report therefore welcomed as a means of focussing delivery of a programme of transformative regeneration and sustainable development within Neasden Town Centre that would also, it was felt, enhance the quality of life within the wider area.

In outlining their support for the programme, particular reference was made to the public realm and highways improvements as well as potential to secure wider environmental sustainability which had been identified along with the engagement and collaboration undertaken with local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders in the co-design and development of the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan.  It was noted this would form a key element in delivery of the programme designed to make Neasden a safer, greener and more prosperous area for all.

Consideration of the report was also supported by a presentation from Rumi Bose (Rumi Bose Consultancy) providing an outline of the key elements of the programme and summary of the engagement undertaken to develop the Neasden Town Action Plan.

Having noted the comments made by the local ward councillors and supporting presentation Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)        To approve up to £7.4m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy capital funding to deliver public realm and highways infrastructure improvements in and around Neasden Town Centre.

(2)        To note that a range of contracts for consultants and contractors would be required to design, plan and develop the proposed public realm, community programming and highways improvements for the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme.

(3)        To note and endorses the proposed installation of a temporary building for community use on top of the council-owned car park next to 237 Neasden Lane, subject to obtaining any planning permission and other statutory consents.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Wednesday 22 January 2025

Prior to considering the report, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Councillors Ahmed and Dixon to the meeting who, he advised, had asked to speak (as local Dollis Hill ward councillors) in support of the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme.  Highlighting the diversity, history and vibrant nature of Neasden, Councillor Ahmed in opening his comments, also felt it important to recognise the challenges faced in the area, particularly in relation to social and economic inequalities.  The proposals and funding (which it was noted included £3.1m in capital grant funding from the Mayor of London and up to £7.4m from Brent’s Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy) outlined within the report were therefore welcomed as a means of focussing delivery on a programme of transformative regeneration and sustainable development within Neasden Town Centre that would also, it was felt, enhance quality of life across the wider surrounding area.

In further support of the programme, particular reference was made by both Councillors Ahmed and Dixon to the public realm and highways improvements as well as potential to secure wider environmental sustainability, which had been identified as part of the programme, along with the engagement and collaboration undertaken with local residents, businesses and other key stakeholders in the co-design and development of the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan.  It was noted this would form a key element in delivery of the programme designed to make Neasden a safer, greener and more prosperous area for all.

Having thanked Councillors Ahmed and Dixon for their comments, Councillor Muhammed Butt then introduced Rumi Bose (Rumi Bose Consultancy) who, he advised, had been invited to attend the meeting in order to provide (as supporting background information) an outline of the key elements of the programme and summary of the engagement undertaken to develop the Neasden Town Action Plan.  The key issues covered within the presentation were as follows:

·             The background and outline of the programme and development of the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan as the basis for submission of a bid under the Mayor of London Civic Partnership Programme (CPP), which had resulted in Brent being selected as one of 12 boroughs to join Stage 1 of the programme.  As a result of work to develop the Action Plan, funded through the Stage 1 programme, a subsequent bid had been submitted for Mayor of London CPP Exemplar (implementation) funding with Brent having been one of five boroughs securing a share (£3.1m) of the stage two funding available.

·             The key strategic principles around which development of the proposals and Neasden Action Plan had been based, which included the aim to enhance public realm; tackle climate change and ecology and enhance community programming and leadership.

·             The detailed mapping process undertaken in relation to the socio, economic and infrastructure issues identified across Neasden as a basis to support development of the Action Plan.

·             The detailed and extensive nature of the community engagement process undertaken to inform co-design of the Neasden Town Centre Action Plan, which had involved a range of methods including an online survey, collaboration with United Borders and the College of North West London aimed at reaching out to a younger demographic, engagement with local businesses and media outlets, a local hackathon, vox pops and walkabouts with key partners including the Metropolitan Police.

·             The key proposals which had been included within the programme, focussed on the following core areas:

Ø   Public Realm –wayfinding for Neasden Town Centre including a route to Neasden Underground Station and Neasden Stations Growth Area, with new signage, lighting, landscaping, public art; Green infrastructure for Neasden Town Centre: sustainable urban drainage system, pocket forest trees and low-level planting.

Ø   Cultural & Civic Programming – including the provision of a Meanwhile Lighthouse structure with access stairs and tower signage, internal first floor fit out for workspace and community uses and support for local market provision

Ø   Eastern Gyratory – reconfiguration, new access road, pavement, crossings, lighting and street furniture, to define and open up the gateway to Neasden Town Centre, improve access to The Grange, improve the route to Neasden Underground Station and Neasden Stations Growth Area.

·             The design & planning along with construction timescales for delivery of each phase of the programme.

Having thanked Rumi Bose for the presentation, Councillor Muhammed Butt  (as Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration, Planning & Growth) then moved on to introduce the accompanying report providing an update on the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme and seeking approval to the allocation of up to £7.4m Strategic Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) capital funding to deliver the associated public realm and highway infrastructure improvements for Neasden Town Centre.

In presenting the report, Cabinet noted the ambitious nature of the vision within the programme which had been developed working in partnership with local stakeholders, business, residents and the Mayor for London in order to address the long standing social, economic and physical challenges identified in relation to Neasden as a town centre and its surrounding communities.  In seeking to build on the positive outcomes achieved through the engagement process, members were advised that the proposals had been designed to deliver a programme of regeneration activity that would not only improve the public realm and foster better connectivity but also strengthen social cohesion and safety across the area in order to ensure Neasden was able to benefit from being a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable part of the borough.

In expressing support for the proposals outlined within the report, members welcomed what they regarded as the transformational nature of change outlined within the vision and as a result of the additional investment being sought to unlock the area’s potential, particularly in relation to the public realm and wider connectivity improvements with members also keen to ensure opportunities associated with wider infrastructure improvements such as West London Orbital were also maximised.  Members were also keen to support the proposals as a means of encouraging more active modes of travel and supporting existing as well as attracting new types of business to Neasden Town Centre, alongside the wider environmental and green infrastructure enhancements designed to facilitate Neasden becoming more sustainable as part of the Council’s commitment towards tackling current inequalities identified and delivering a cleaner and greener future (with the proposed inclusion of the existing Grange building and facilities also welcomed).

The opportunities available to enhance critical infrastructure and support the delivery of wider regeneration and economic growth were also highlighted alongside the way in which the proposals had also been designed to assist in addressing community safety and tackling gang activity and antisocial behaviour through the creation of safe, welcoming spaces for people to learn, connect, and grow.

In terms of other comments, support was also expressed for the way in which the proposals had been designed to build on the process of community engagement and civic partnership in seeking to deliver a place-led programme of improvement including new community and workspace areas that would also support the development of a wider package of employment, training, skills and enterprise support as part of an approach towards addressing the circular economy and also wider cultural provision across the area.

In recognising the impact of the legacy created as a result of the historical highway infrastructure interventions on Neasden as a Town Centre and also the impact arising from the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis across the area more widely, members were also keen to recognise the efforts being made through the programme to reestablish the socioeconomic and environmental links between the Town Centre and surrounding communities in a way that would also enhance community cohesion as a means of tackling wider public health inequalities and also provide initiatives to support young people in seeking to engage and better connect with the opportunities available, working in conjunction with local schools and the Young Brent Foundation.

In thanking all those involved for their efforts in developing the programme and once again commending the ambitious nature of the vision and proposals as a means of delivering meaningful change that would enable Neasden to be a safer and more inclusive place as part of the Council’s commitment towards regeneration across the borough, Cabinet RESOLVED, having noted the exempt information contained within the appendices of the report and also support expressed by other stakeholders including the Mayor for London, Neasden Business Collective & Transport for London:

(1)        To approve up to £7.4m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy capital funding to deliver public realm and highways infrastructure improvements in and around Neasden Town Centre.

(2)        To note that a range of contracts for consultants and contractors would be required to design, plan and develop the proposed public realm, community programming and highways improvements for the Neasden Civic Partnership Programme.

(3)        To note and endorses the proposed installation of a temporary building for community use on top of the council-owned car park next to 237 Neasden Lane, subject to obtaining any planning permission and other statutory consents.