Towers blocked by people power
Andy Tristem
PROTESTERS have forced housing bosses to abandon plans for two new tower blocks next to Queen's Park tube station.
Managers at Genesis Housing Group were pressured into the humiliating U-turn after angry Westminster residents complained they had not been consulted.
The 26-storey and 18-storey towers would have blighted dozens of homes on the Westminster border, residents claimed.
Arléne Cousin, of Saltram Crescent, next to Queen's Park tube, said: "This is a victory for people power - I am delighted.
"The development has been discussed for more than three years but Westminster residents were only told three months ago. Brent Council was trying to push it through without consulting us.
"The tower would have been taller than the Wembley arch. They said it would have been a landmark but this is a Victorian area and any development should be no more than two or three storeys."
Anti-tower campaigners vented their fury about the plans at a hastily arranged meeting with Genesis managers and officials from Brent and Westminster councils last week.
Bill O'Neil, 60, of Saltram Crescent, said: "The towers would have cast a huge shadow over Westminster homes, darkening kitchens and living rooms.
"I am incensed with Westminster Council for abandoning us. They should have been kicking up a fuss on our behalf. I wrote to the council leader Simon Milton but was told to speak to Brent planners. It was pathetic."
The 26-storey block was being proposed for the Salusbury Road car park while the 18-storey building would have been built at the neighbouring Keniston Press site, Claremont Road. The towers would have created 128 flats with up to 50 per cent affordable homes.
Regent's Park MP Karen Buck believes the land should be developed for affordable housing but added: "Consultation in Westminster was non-existent. I live about six doors away but they never consulted me.
"I'm not happy with the way Westminster Council acted. If the development had been on the edge of Pimlico or Knightsbridge the council would have been in there like a shot. Future plans need to assess the impact on schools, healthcare and transport."
A spokesman for Genesis said amended plans would be submitnext year. Group chief executive Anu Vedi added: "We intend to continue to work with the council in agreeing further consultation with the local community on the future of the Keniston Press and Salusbury Road car park site."
A Westminster spokesman said: "We objected to the plans on two occasions, leafleted all 500 Westminster residents affected and as a consequence a very large planning project is being rethought."
Councillor Ann John, leader of Brent Council, added: "I would like to thank Genesis Housing Association for agreeing to take another look at this scheme and consider the matter further with local residents and planners."
andy.tristem@hamhigh.co.uk
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