Agenda item

For Members to consider any petitions with more than 200 signatures for which a request has been received for their presentation, in accordance with the Council’s petition rules and Standing Order 66.

Members are asked to note that the following petitions are due to be presented at the meeting:

(a)       Retain the heritage Victorian villa, Altamira, as part of Morland Gardens redevelopment

(b)       Save Welsh Harp Education Centre

The supporting details on each petition have been attached, for reference.

The Mayor advised that he had accepted requests for the presentation of two separate petitions at the meeting, which had met the threshold for consideration at Full Council based on them containing more than 200 signatures.

The petitions to be presented, were highlighted as follows, with the Mayor advising that unless otherwise indicated by members, he intended to allow up to five minutes for the presentation of each petition by the lead petitioner before then providing the relevant Cabinet Members up to two minutes to respond on each matter and then providing any other members who indicated they would like to speak with an opportunity to contribute (within the overall time limit available).

•       1st petition – Retain the heritage Victorian Villa (Altamira) as part of the redevelopment at 1 Morland Gardens

•       2nd petition – Save Welsh Harp Education Centre

(1)    Retain the heritage Victorian Villa (Altamira) as part of the redevelopment at 1 Morland Gardens

As no objections were raised on the approach outlined, the Mayor then moved on to welcome Philip Grant to the meeting to present the first petition (representing the Willesden Local History Society).  Prior to the petition being presented, Philip Grant welcomed the approach outlined by the Mayor in enabling other members to contribute and speak as part of the approach in considering the petition and also referred members to the photograph of the Villa circulated as part of the agenda text.

In thanking the Mayor for the opportunity to present the petition, Philip Grant began by taking the opportunity to remind members of the history of the Altamira building which he descried as a beautiful, Italianate-style Victorian villa built 150 years ago, at the entrance to an estate called Stonebridge Park which had subsequently given its name to the area.  Members were advised that the Council had bought the building in the 1990s and restored it as home to an Adult Education college and inspiring place of learning in one of the borough’s most deprived areas.

In highlighting the buildings status as a high value locally listed heritage asset, he pointed out those who had signed the petition felt this had not been recognised by the Council when in January 2020, the Cabinet had been persuaded to approve a project which included its demolition.  Referring to the hundreds of objections submitted by local residents in response to the subsequent planning application determined in 2020, as well objections from the Victorian Society, he reminded members that these had also been supported by a Professor of Architecture whom he quoted as having written:

“1 Morland Gardens is not just any nineteenth-century villa, but a characteristic work by an architect of genuine and lasting significance. Its destruction would be a terrible loss, not only to the local environment, but also to the architectural heritage of Victorian Britain.”

It was also pointed out that Councillor Aden (representing the local Stonebridge ward councillors) had also spoken against the demolition at the 2020 Planning Committee meeting, and asked the Council to think again, so it was with regret that the Committee had subsequently approved the Plans.  Referring to what the petitioners had felt to be the many faults in the scheme, Philip Grant advised it was no surprise that the planning consent had expired in October 2023, without construction having begun.  This had led to an urgent review of plans for the future of the site with officers being provided with evidence, as part of this process, in support of retaining the heritage building.  This had been supported, as part of a December 2024 consultation, with details on how it was felt the Villa could be retained for community use, while still providing nearly 30 Council homes on the site.

Confirmation was provided that this supporting evidence had also been provided for Councillor Benea (as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property) and, as a result, those in support of the petition hoped the Council would now be able to confirm it would seek to retain Altamira, as part of the future plans for Morland Gardens, also supported by the following statement within Brent’s adopted Local Plan which Philip Grant ended by highlighting:

“Once a heritage asset is demolished, it cannot be replaced. Its historic value is lost forever to the community and future generations.” it concluded “The effective preservation of historic buildings … and their stewardship is … fundamental to the Council’s role.”

The Mayor thanked Philip Grant for presenting the petition and then invited Councillor Benea, as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property to respond.

In response, Councillor Benea began by thanking Philip Grant and the other signatories of the petition for taking the time to make their views known with the Council acknowledging the sentiments expressed in support of retaining the locally listed Altamira building at 1 Morland Gardens.

Referring to the more recent report considered at Cabinet on 16 June 2025, the petitioners were advised that the Council was proposing a site use option of affordable homes and youth facilities for the 1 Morland Gardens site with an assurance that any redevelopment proposals would be subject to a full planning application that would consider the relevant planning and heritage considerations.

In summing up, the petitions were advised that no decision had been made on either the demolition or retention of the Altamira building and that any decision on the building would therefore be subject to a future Cabinet report following the necessary design, site investigation works, and viability assessments having been undertaken on the Cabinet approved mixed-development site use option of affordable homes and youth facilities.

Having thanked Councillor Benea for her response, the Mayor then invited comments from other members on the petition, with the following contributions noted:

Councillor Lorber, in opening the contributions felt it important to recognise that this was not being raised as a new issue given the redevelopment of Morland Gardens had been subject to a previous call-in.  In highlighting concerns relating to the outcome of funding already allocated to the redevelopment proposals without any new homes yet being delivered on site, he outlined what he felt to be a need for leadership in taking the scheme forward in order to deliver much needed homes whilst also seeking to preserve Altamira Villa as an important historical and heritage asset.

Councillor Maurice also spoke in support of the petition, recognising the importance in preserving the borough’s heritage assets and taking the opportunity to highlight his opposition to the original redevelopment proposals when serving as a member of the Planning Committee and in support of retaining the frontage of the building.

Following on, Councillor Mistry highlighted what she also regarded as the importance in recognising the historical context of the Altamira Villa and need to do all possible to avoid its loss as a valuable heritage asset as part of any future redevelopment plans for the site.

As a final contribution, Councillor Ethapemi also spoke to welcome the comments made by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property in response to the petition regarding the additional feasibility review outlined.  Whilst also supporting the need to retain and preserve the Victorian heritage Villa, it was hoped this could be achieved in a way that would not prevent much needed housing also being delivered as part of the redevelopment of the site.

Having thanked members for their contributions the Mayor advised that concluded consideration of the first petition and then moved on to deal with the second and final petition submitted.

(2)    Save Welsh Harp Education Centre

The Mayor then welcomed Martin Francis to present the second petition, seeking support for the continued use of Welsh Harp Education Centre to deliver an Environmental Education programme.  In thanking the Mayor for the opportunity to present the petition, Martin Francis began by advising that the petition was supported by Brent Parks Forum as well as Brent Friends of the Earth and contained 487 signatures.

In highlighting how the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre had been closed following the withdrawal of funding by Thames21 at the end of the summer term, reference was made to the difference the lack of primary aged school children visiting the centre was having in terms of the excitement created and motivation provided (as had been famously highlighted by David Attenborough) in children seeking to tackle the climate and ecological emergency and preserve the natural habitat without them being able to experience it on a practical level and first hand basis.  The petitioners were therefore keen to highlight the important and valued role the centre had played in enabling school children to gain that type of experience working with up to 300 pupils a week and recognising that the vast majority of the borough’s primary schools did not have the grounds to match the experience offered by the woodlands and ponds available to access via the Centre.

As further support, reference was also made to the Brent Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy 2021-2030, which it was pointed out has also specifically recognised the importance of the Centre by stating:

“The council has secured funding to improve the Educational Centre on the site, to bring residents, schools and communities closer to nature and to help improve biodiversity.”

Whilst Brent Cabinet in May 2023 had therefore agreed to delivery of post -16 SEND provision in a new building on the site, it was pointed out this had been on the basis that:

“The proposal would enable the Environmental Education programme to schools to continue to be delivered as part of the wider building use alongside the post-16 horticultural use.”

It was, therefore, with concern that comments made at a recent Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee, had been noted with those present advised at the meeting that the building would be fully utilised during curriculum time by the Post 16 provision and only available for other groups outside of that time and it reported that the design of the new building would include no space for a primary classroom and no time of primary school visits.  The petitioners were also concerned that despite a long list of organisations identified as being consulted on the new building, these did not appear to include Primary Schools.  Referring to the loss making aspect of the Centre being cited as a reason for Thames21 withdrawal, it was pointed out that a proportion of these losses was attributable to the high heating and maintenance costs of the previous cabin style classrooms which had been addressed as part of the design of the shared new building.

The opportunity was also taken to outline the work undertaken by those in support of the petition in bringing together a consortium to use the building outside of school hours in an effort to provide a reliable income stream to help subsidise the Centre moving forward, with the main cost identified now relating to staff salaries.

As a result of these efforts and the concerns highlighted, Martin Francise ended by advising that those in support of the petition were therefore calling on the Council to undertake a full scoping exercise, in order to find a new organisation to run the Centre including the potential inclusion of local industry such as Careys to enhance their green credentials or a voluntary organisation such as the Canal and Rivers Trust, with the following three assurances sought in response to the petition:

(1)    That the Environmental Education Centre would have space in the new building.

(2)    That the council would make an all-out effort, driven by a passionate commitment to environmental education and the urgent need to address the climate and ecological emergency, to find a new partner to run the WHEEC.

(3)    That the curriculum and activities offered by the Centre would continue to enrich the science curriculum on life processes and living things with first-hand experience, in an attempt to recognise the passion identified and address indifference to the lack of any ongoing provision.

The Mayor thanked Martin Francis for presenting the petition and then invited Councillor Benea (as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property) in the absence of Councillor Grahl (as Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools) to respond.

In response, Councillor Benea began by thanking the petitioners for highlighting their support for the Welsh Harp Education Centre, recognising the depth of feeling outlined whilst also welcoming the opportunity to clarify a number of issues relating to the current position on the Centre.

As a starting point, Councillor Benea opened by placing on record the Council’s thanks to Thames21 (with a particular focus on their volunteers) for the time and energy devoted to inspiring the next generation on the importance of the natural environment.  This was in recognition of the role Thames21 had played, since December 2016, in the delivery of a wide ranging and valued programme of activity with schools whilst occupying the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre and which it was acknowledged had helped countless local children to learn, first-hand, about the value of the environment and need to protect it, for which the Council and all those who had benefitted were grateful.

Councillor Benea felt it was also important to recognise the way in which the Council had sought to support Thames21 in their work, including the provision of a rent-free period and financial contribution towards their running costs in the hope that this would have given them the platform to achieve longer-term financial sustainability.  Despite this, however, Thames21 had unfortunately taken the difficult and voluntary decision to end their work at the centre and, as a result, had vacated the site on 31st July 2025.

Referring to the poor condition of the building, Councillor Benea highlighted this had been assessed as being at the end of its life and requiring significant capital investment to ensure it was maintained.  Given the Council’s responsibility to think about how the site could continue to best serve the borough over future years, Cabinet in May 2023 had therefore approved a major capital investment to develop a new Post-16 Skills Centre on the site designed to provide a high-quality horticultural facility for young people with SEND, with opportunities for work experience, volunteering, and also wider community use.

In response to the petition, an assurance was provided that the new centre would not be closed off to the wider community with it noted that from the outset the design brief had included flexible space for community groups including, as an example, Scouts, Guides, Woodcraft Folk and groups with a focus on environmental education and countryside management.  The new facilities would also include a multi-use room, storage space, a small kitchen, fully accessible facilities and, crucially, outdoor access all co-designed with a range stakeholders, including Thames21, local schools, parents, and carers, to ensure the centre was able to reflect the needs of the borough’s diverse communities.  Subject to planning and construction milestones being met, Councillor Benea advised the new Post-16 Skills Centre was due to open in the 2027-28 academic year and in summing up, once again took the opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution made by Thames21 and their volunteers.

In closing her response, Councillor Benea felt it important to reflect on the work undertaken to lay the foundations for what would come next and in seeking to build on that legacy, to ensure that the Welsh Harp site would continue to be a place where education, inclusion, and environmental stewardship was able to thrive for generations to come.

Having thanked Councillor Benea for her response, the Mayor then invited comments from other members on the petition, with the following contributions noted:

In opening the comments, Councillor Mitchell took the opportunity to thank the petitioners along with Councillor Benea for raising and seeking to address the concerns raised, recognising the challenges currently faced in seeking to provide opportunities for children from across the borough to access and engage with the natural environment in response to the biodiversity crisis and also urban nature of Brent.  In supporting the need to continue provision of access to these opportunities, it was recognised that this would also need to be undertaken in a fiscally prudent manner with Councillor Mitchell advising of the commitment from the Welsh Harp local ward councillors to continue working with the relevant lead members to ensure that the delivery of the new facilities was designed to ensure the provision of as wide a range of opportunities as possible for the local community (including schools) to access Welsh Harp as a valuable local asset and in order to continue learning about the natural environment.

As a further contribution, Councillor Lorber also speaking in support of the petition, felt it important to highlight the need to ensure the provision of any new facility at the centre included continued access for local schools with the scheme identified as one that would potentially have benefitted from Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding.  In outlining the previous use of NCIL funding to support community bids and previous advice around permitted use of that funding, concern was expressed that this approach appeared to have changed following the recent decision of Cabinet to approve the use of £8m worth of NCIL funding on schemes supporting public realm improvements, which he felt had been decided without the necessary choice by local residents and allocated on initiatives that should normally have been funded through the Council’s revenue budget.  As such he felt the approach adopted needed to be highlighted, falling as it did during a local election year.

With no further comments made, the Mayor once again thanked all those who had participated for their contributions and advised that as this had been the final petition for presentation he would now move on to deal with the remainder of the agenda.