Brent Council approves 16 social homes on Granville Recreation Ground
New homes and a 2,500 sq metre park will replace community garden, with construction starting in 2027.
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Brent Council has approved plans to construct 16 four- and five-bedroom social rent homes on the Granville Recreation Ground. The decision forms part of the wider South Kilburn Regeneration project, which also includes the creation of a new Granville Urban Park.
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The approved plans will see the Granville Recreation Ground site, which currently hosts a community garden, redeveloped. The new Granville Urban Park is planned to cover around 2,500 square metres and will feature extensive tree and ground planting, play areas, picnic spots, and public seating. The council stated this will create a permanent and accessible green space for the community.
The development, known as the Hereford House and Exeter Court development, is scheduled to begin construction in 2027. The 16 homes are designated for social rent and are intended for existing South Kilburn tenants, according to a Brent Council spokesperson.
Campaigner Concerns
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Campaigners have voiced concerns that the proposed new park will not adequately replace the existing community garden. Leslie Barson, Co-Founder of the Granville Community Kitchen, stated that the established old-growth and the community's engagement with the space cannot be replicated. She highlighted the garden's importance for wellbeing, skill-sharing, and community connection in a densely populated urban area.
Alfie Stanford, a grower at the recreation ground, added that the current space allows for active engagement with the environment, which he believes the new public park will not provide. He also noted the importance of the site for growing food, a function he feels will be lost.
Barson clarified that the opposition is not to the building of new homes but to the loss of established green spaces that serve existing and future communities. The campaigners intend to continue their efforts to prevent the redevelopment of the site.
Next Steps
The new Single Delivery Partner for the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme, Ballymore Group, will collaborate with Brent Council to refine the existing designs. The council indicated that further opportunities will be provided for residents and community groups to contribute to the development of the proposals.
Questions this report answers
+What has Brent Council approved for Granville Recreation Ground?
Brent Council has approved plans to build 16 four- and five-bedroom social rent homes on the Granville Recreation Ground. This development is part of the South Kilburn Regeneration project and will also include the creation of a new Granville Urban Park covering approximately 2,500 square metres.
+When will construction start on the new homes?
Construction for the Hereford House and Exeter Court development, which includes the 16 new social rent homes, is scheduled to begin in 2027. The project is part of the wider South Kilburn Regeneration programme.
+What are the concerns raised by campaigners?
Campaigners are concerned that the new Granville Urban Park will not adequately replace the existing community garden. They highlight the loss of established old-growth, the space's importance for community engagement and skill-sharing, and its role in food growing, which they believe the new park cannot replicate.
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