Harlesden Neighbourhood Plan

ISSUES & OPTIONS FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

ACTIVITY FEEDBACK

Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum Meeting

4 November 2015

During the last HNF meeting members were asked to discuss a range questions on five key topics prepared by Ken Hullock (planning adviser to the Forum), to help brainstorm ideas on key issues that are important to a neighbourhood plan for Harlesden. Participants were given 10 minutes to discuss each of the topics and write their ideas and concerns on flip chart paper provided. Below is an overview of some of the main concerns that participants addressed for each topic.

Local Economy

Questions:

1. Should all existing employment sites, i.e. business premises, be protected or can some outside of the town centre be redeveloped for new housing (with businesses being relocated if necessary).

2. Are there too many betting shops / amusement centres / takeaways and, if so, how can their numbers be restricted.

3. Should Harlesden town centre be expanded south along Station Road to link up with Willesden Junction station and new commercial development associated with the regeneration of Old Oak?

Feedback:

·        Participants agreed that local culture is important to maintain

·        Participants felt that more retail space could be used

·        Participants felt that there are too many betting shops and fast food restaurants on the High Street

·        Residents were curious as to ways they might be able to limit the number of betting shops and fast food restaurants, perhaps by restricting their distance from schools.

·        HNPF could appoint someone to monitor new planning applications

·        New housing developments should also bring employment opportunities

·        More variety in retail options on High Street.

Transport

Questions:

1. Should those travelling to Harlesden by car be better catered for, e.g. more parking?

2. Should there be more restrictions on the use of the car (e.g. less parking) and a focus on walking, cycling & public transport? If so what improvements can be made?

3. Does Harlesden need a by-pass, either now or in the future?

Feedback:

·        Participants did not believe the use of cars should be encouraged

·        Too many trucks and traffic passing through the High Street

·        Tesco car park is very insufficient and a major concern

·        More parking is needed

·        Bypass was looked upon favourably but with some reservations

Open Spaces and environment

Questions:

1. How can the provision of parks and open spaces be improved for Harlesden residents? Is existing children’s play provision good enough or should it be improved and, if so, how?

2. Should more heritage assets be protected, e.g. more buildings listed, even if this means fewer opportunities to redevelop for much needed housing, etc.?

3. Are tall buildings (over 8 stories) acceptable in Harlesden? If so where are they acceptable and, if not, how are the much needed new homes going to be delivered?

Feedback:

·        There is a need to raise awareness of local heritage sites

·        Overall participants wanted to limit tall buildings to the area towards Willesden Junction

·        There was a desire to raise awareness of where local spaces are to increase use

·        There could be more communal space for teenagers like a skate park

·        More trees on the streets are wanted.

Community Facilities

Questions:

1. Are there enough premises available for the community to use for meetings, events, etc.? If not, how can these be provided and where?

2. Are there enough built sport and leisure facilities available to Harlesden residents? If not what would you like to see provided?

3. Should pubs be protected from development as community assets?

Feedback:

·        Many were concerned with a lack of secular gathering space, as there seemed to be few options other than pubs or spaces with religious affiliations

·        There was support for protecting pubs within the community as long as they could be considered a community asset

·        There were no strong feelings about a lack of built sports facilities

·        People agreed that there could be an opportunity to provide community space with major development but they did not want big sites.

Housing

Questions:

1. Given the need for new housing in Harlesden, what type of housing should be prioritised? Affordable rental property, e.g. social housing or homes for first time buyers?

2. Should new homes provided be exclusively flats or should some family homes with gardens be provided, even if this means building at lower densities and fewer homes being built?

3. Should new student housing or hostel accommodation be allowed in Harlesden?

Feedback:

·        Some participants thought that to afford a one bed flat at £280k a household would need to have an income of £25k, and was surprised to find that an income of £70k would be closer the mark

·        Overcrowding and difficulty with landlords is a problem

·        Similarly, one thought that shared ownership represents good value for money and affordability which is, depending on the specific scheme, far from clear

·        For type of property, people were concerned that the mere fact of building flats would present a high risk of ASB

·        Some participants were mindful of the need to retain density of population and to provide affordable housing for local people, but felt that these homes should be family homes with gardens. Given the amount of land likely to be available within the neighbourhood planning area (NPA), these are incompatible.