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Action update

Two residents in the forum highlighted concerns they have with the children’s playground at the Neasden Recreation Ground which needs urgent repair.   This has been reported on fix my street app, but nothing has been actioned.   One of the residents also highlighted that the park has been subject to ASB although she stated that she has not seen this and this could be in the evenings only.

Parks Team

Community Safety

There were missing swings at Neasden Recreation Ground, but these should now have been replaced. We are auditing all our playgrounds this winter to ensure that there is no missing equipment.

We will flag this location with the local police Dollis Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team to ensure added to their patrol schedule.

Willesden

Resident raised concerns around the demise of Willesden High Road.   He highlighted high street banks moving away, the level of congestion on the High Road around Stroud Rd as well as the high level of gambling establishments on the High Rd which is bringing the area down.

Town Centre Manager

From Autumn 2025, the Town Centre Manager will be hosting a series of Vision Workshops designed to capture the views of the community and local stakeholders about the future of Willesden Green.

These workshops will focus on two key questions:

• How should we prioritise improvements in Willesden Green Town Centre?
• What should those improvements look like?

The outcomes will directly inform future planning, investment, and partnership initiatives, ensuring that developments reflect the aspirations and needs of the community.

Immediate outcome is to develop a menu of short, medium and long term projects for funding investment.

Resident highlighted concerns he is having around open drug dealing and drug use at King Edwards Recreation Ground.  He went on to say that the drug dealing has spilled over to his road Philmore Gardens as it provides a throughfare into the park

Community Safety Team

Brent Council address crime in specific areas through the monthly Brent Joint Action Group which comprises of statutory agencies such as the Police, Brent Council and voluntary agencies such as St Mungos and Via meeting together to address crime in the locality.

We will flag this location with the local police, Wembley Hill Neighbourhood Team, to investigate and ensure added to their patrol schedule.

We will encourage your individuals to keep reporting any suspicious activities to the police with timings of incidents 

• By calling 101 for non-emergency 
• Reporting the incident via the police online portal - Click here
• Twitter Met Contact Centre (@MetCC) 
• By calling 999 if there is imminent threat to life or property.
• By calling crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous, open 24 hours, or crimestoppers-uk.org/

You can also share the reference number given by the police once you have made a report by sending an email: community.safety@brent.gov.uk

Kindly sign up to Met Engage www.metengage.co.uk/ for updates from local police on what they are doing in your area

In addition, we will request a targeted intervention of the location by Via New Beginnings, the drug and alcohol provider for Brent. The Outreach and Engagement Service (BOET) will work and engage with individuals how have drug and alcohol problems into structured treatment. The service will work closely with council teams such as housing, community safety, St Mungo’s (commissioned service for homelessness) and Police to help provide a targeted approach to engaging our most vulnerable residents. Anyone can make referrals to the Brent Outreach and Engagement Service (BOET), if they have concerns about individuals, seen street drinking or using drugs by calling the 24/7 Single Point of Contact (SPOC) 0800-107-1754 or via online Brent – New Beginnings - via (viaorg.uk)

Prolific offenders in the area will also be targeted by our police colleagues who will routinely issue Community Protection Notices (CPN) and apply for Criminal Behaviour Orders where these individuals have breached their CPN which are part of tools and powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Resident highlighted a concern that she has with a recent application for a HMO for a property on Balmoral Rd.   She is not sure how this property being given planning approval

Private Sector Housing

Planning and licensing operate as separate processes and are governed by different legislation. The granting of an HMO licence does not confirm, nor does it replace, the need for planning permission if required. Planning applications are determined by the local planning authority, while HMO licence applications are assessed by the licensing team to ensure the property meets the required housing and management standards.

If you would like to review the planning history of the property, this can be accessed through the Council’s online planning portal. Alternatively, the planning department may be able to confirm any approvals granted for this property. You can contact them via https://www.brent.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control. Please note they will also require the full address of the property in question.

Resident raised a concern that she had around the lack of youth provision around Neasden Town Centre

Children, Young People and Community Development

We are pleased to confirm the current youth provision in Neasden and encourage residents to access these for further information about youth activities in the local area.

The Kingfisher Youth and Community Centre on Crest Road is open on weekends and is home to a boxing club and other activities for young people. Cricklewood boxing club is also close by, about 10-15 minutes bus ride from the local area for those who want to learn a new skill, engage in physical activity and meet new friends – visit Cricklewood Boxing GYM – NW London Boxing GYM for full details.

Welsh Harp, also known as the Brent Reservoir, NW10 OEX, is idea for young people who want to learn sailing, canoeing or join the Sea Cadets. Please visit the website for full details:  Brent Reservoir (Welsh Harp) | Places to Visit

Brent Council has 8 dedicated Family Wellbeing Centres (FWC) across the borough, with the closest to Neasden being St Raphael’s FWC and Church Lane FWC. A full list of these can be found on the Brent Council website Family Wellbeing Centres | Brent Council along with timetables for youth activities held in the centres. These activities include arts and crafts, homework clubs, martial arts, dance, gaming, movie clubs, music sessions and employment support. We would encourage residents to visit the website and sign up to their local family wellbeing centre to access regular free and reduced-price youth provision.

In terms of future youth provision, the Neasden Town Centre Regeneration is in progress. This £10.5 million investment will transform the area, including the creation of “The Lighthouse”: a new community hub designed to support culture, enterprise, and engagement. This could become a future venue for youth activities and services. For further details about this regeneration project, please visit the following link and updates will be posted on Brent Council’s website: 7.1 Appendix 1 - Neasden Action Plan.pdf

In addition, Neasden Goods Yard Development is a major mixed-use project near Neasden Station, which will deliver 1,151 homes, 640 student rooms, retail space, and public amenities including a central garden, pocket park, and children’s playgrounds. These features could support informal youth engagement and outdoor activities. Further details can be found on Brent Council’s website: Neasden Station Growth Area (NSGA)|Brent Council

To find out further information about youth provision in the local area we would encourage residents to access the following websites:

https://www.brentyouthzone.org.uk/

Young Brent Foundation - about us

Player Ready – EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than at School) & SEND Alternative Provision offers flexible, creative education for young people aged 7–25 across Greater London, especially those out of mainstream education. Their curriculum includes game development, digital design, life skills, and accredited awards. Delivery is online or in-person, and they are ready for commissioning by schools or local authorities.

We thank you for your query and hope that the young people in Neasden continue to access the activities and opportunities in their local and surrounding areas.