Around 100 people attend public meeting to express concerns about proposals by Barratt Homes

Residents were unanimous in their opposition to a controversial housing development on the Welsh Harp reservoir at a public meeting in Brent Town Hall.

Around 100 residents attended the meeting on Saturday to discuss a plan of action against the proposals which will see around 2,000 new homes built on the border of the reservoir.

Among the topics discussed included concerns that tenants of the current West Hendon estate may not be able to afford to live in the new developments and the importance of retaining the area’s SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

The panel included Navin Shah (Lab) London Assembly Member for Brent and Harrow and Shahrar Ali, of Brent’s Green Party.

Cllr Roxanne Mashari, a Labour councillor for the Welsh Harp ward, who chaired the meeting said: “We want to harness as much energy from residents as we can and get as many signatures and objections in as possible before the deadline (May 14).”

A planning application will be considered by Barnet Council in the summer months.

A Barratt Metropolitan LLP spokesman said they shared campaigners’ wish to preserve and maintain the reservoir and its wildlife and that a full environmental impact assessment had been submitted to Barnet Council.