Brent Council to build 16 homes on community garden site

Brent Council intends to build 16 social rent homes on the site of Granville Recreation Ground, a community garden in South Kilburn. The development is part of the wider South Kilburn Regeneration programme, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027 as part of the Hereford House and Exeter Court development.

The Granville Recreation Ground, which was re-established in 2023, serves as a vital green space for local residents and is attended by four schools. These include St Marylebone CE Bridge School, a special educational needs school, which uses the ground for nature and growing education.

Campaigners raise concerns over green space replacement

Campaigners have voiced strong opposition to the plans, arguing that the proposed new urban park will not adequately replace the existing community garden. Leslie Barson, Co-Founder of the Granville Community Kitchen, stated that the old-growth fostered in the current space cannot be replicated. She described the proposed replacement as 'laughable' and said it would 'sanitise' the area, removing a space that brings people together and supports them on multiple levels.

Alfie Stanford, a grower at the rec, highlighted the importance of engaging with green spaces for wellbeing and a sense of capability. He explained that the current site allows for active engagement and the development of personal ideas, which he believes will not be possible in a standard public park. He also noted that the new space would not account for the food grown on site or the way people interact with it.

Campaigners are not opposed to the construction of new homes but are campaigning against the loss of the established green space, which they deem 'irreplaceable'. They argue that in a densely populated urban area, such spaces are increasingly vital, especially in the context of the climate emergency.

Council outlines benefits of new development

A spokesperson for Brent Council stated that the approved plans will deliver 16 urgently needed four and five-bedroom social rent homes for existing South Kilburn tenants. Additionally, the development will include a new, larger Granville Urban Park covering approximately 2,500 square metres. This new park is planned to feature extensive planting, play and picnic areas, and public seating, intended to provide a permanent and accessible green space for the community.

Ballymore Group has been appointed as the new single developer partner for the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme. The council indicated that this partner will collaborate closely with the council to refine existing designs, and further opportunities will be provided for residents and community groups to contribute their feedback on the proposals.