Residents in Wembley are desperately fighting to stop an application to build four bungalows.
Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) are planning to knock down 12 “vital” garages and replace them with bungalows. It is not yet known whether these new houses will be “affordable” or “private”.
Residents have said that they have received a number of letters from BHP which suggested they would be forced out of their garages. On May 2, Dawn Condy recieved a “notice to quit” on her garage at 17 Kings Drive, which she has owned for 15 years. However, on May 25, Ms Condy received a further letter from BHP apologising for any distress caused whilst confirming they wouldn’t “forcefully be taking back garages”.
Tenants on Kings Drive say this development will cause issues with parking and privacy.
Jennifer Leach has lived on the estate for 14 years. She says despite BHP’s compromise to offer 25 spaces - which was orginally 10, a parking issue already exists so the problem is only going to get worse. Doublr yellow lines have also been painted on the road limiting parking further.
“We have to park behind neighbours cars but because we all know each other it’s okay. But when these new people move in and everyone is fighting for these spaces, it will be an absolute nightmare.
“Plus we also get people from the stadium parking up Kings Drive. We are not close to public transport. This all needs to be considered.”
Ms Condy says that BHP’s plans came as a shock and they have now found themselves in a “terrible situation.”
“When we found out they were knocking the garages down, we thought they were making the car park bigger.
“We are built at the top of a hill so it’s vital that we can drive and park up here.
“I am a full time carer for my mother, who has lived here since 1966, and the prospect of looking for somewhere to park in the winter and in the dark, fills me with dread.”
In a letter to BHP, resident Paul Greig said that BHP have “manipulated the existing garages to be mainly empty.”
“We question the value of only 25 spaces, which frankly we do not believe are possible as laid out in the small-scale drawing sent out on 5th September,” Mr Greig wrote.
BHP said: “We have revised our proposals taking residents’ feedback on board and increased the parking provision on the site. We are currently re-consulting with the residents on the changes to the original plans and we intend to submit a planning application following this in mid-September.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here