Windmill Court, Kilburn

Will any of these homes be for sale?

No, as part of the proposal, all the new properties will be 100% affordable rented homes that will be owned and managed by Brent Council.

What other proposals will there be for the estate?

Proposals include improvements to the children’s play area, landscaping, pedestrian routes and also the car parking for the estate. There are also proposals to redesign the entrance lobby to the Windmill Court tower.

Why are you building so close to the tower?

We have followed the Mayor of London’s design guide for building new homes which specify that new homes should be built no closer than 18 metres from an existing habitable home, and nine metres from an existing boundary. The current design proposals meet these requirements.

Will any works be undertaken to existing tower properties during the construction period?

We are committed to undertaking capital refurbishment works to the Windmill Court tower. These works are forecasted to take place in the 2023/2024 financial year

Do residents have a say in what happens?

Yes, definitely. We understand the idea of new homes being built near to where you live can be concerning. That's why we are committed to:

• Developing the plans with the full involvement of residents, stakeholders and neighbours through methods of regular engagement events and establishing channels of communication
• Making sure the designs are sympathetic to the surrounding areas
• Creating improvements to the estate that will benefit everyone
• Ensuring leaseholders will not be charged for landscaping improvements within the estate

How can existing residents have their say and shape the proposals?

You can find out more and tell us what you think during our monthly virtual drop-in sessions. We also send every household questionnaires and newsletters to better understand individual views and offer a 1-2-1 telephone service to enable residents the opportunity to provide feedback.

In addition, residents are encouraged to join the Resident Panel that represents those living on the estate in talks about its future.

We want to hear a wide range of views from as many households as possible so to find out more details or register your interest in joining the Panel, please call: 07436 704 072 07765 898 185 or email:newcouncilhomes@brent.gov.uk

Will amenity spaces be reduced?

Quality is a very important part of amenity and so we aim to provide as much high-quality amenity space as we can within the site. We will be guided by policy and the feedback we receive from residents. As the design is still in progress, we are not able to give exact amenity area comparisons at this stage, but these will be provided as part of the planning application which you will be able to comment on.

What will happen to all the mature trees?

The estate currently has several mature trees which enhance the visual and ecological amenity. The development of the estate will allow for the retention of the majority of the trees. There will be 42 new trees planted across the estate. These will include large trees to the central green space, defining the central path and greening the views down the entry road. Smaller multi-stem flowering and fruiting trees will provide colour and structure in the spaces between buildings, and clear-stem semi-mature trees will provide structure and greening within the parking court, which forms and acts as a barrier.

Will car parking be reduced?

We plan to provide the same number of formal parking spaces as currently exist on the estate which will include disabled parking and we will also introduce new bike stores. We are constantly reviewing the car parking arrangements to ensure we maximise parking for existing residents. If an existing resident moves into the new build block, they will retain their right to park on the estate.

Will the new residents be able to park on-site?

The new-build proposals will be car-free, so new residents will be unable to park on the estate or surrounding streets. The only exception is for disabled residents, there will be 8 blue badge car parking bays provided.

Would waste management be improved?

Yes. Within the new build proposals, we will be providing new ground floor refuse stores to the two new blocks. We will also improve the external refuse areas for the existing tower. There are also plans to ensure easier access for residents and bin lorries.

Can the council share the results of any surveys it has carried out?

Any reports and surveys that may have been undertaken by the design team will be shared as part of the planning application and will be available to be viewed and commented on.

How will safety and security be monitored?

In response to consultation and comments from the Secured by Design team, along with resident feedback, the proposed Landscape design includes low-level defensible planting around ground floor accommodation and provides security and screening around the perimeter of the estate in the form of traditional metal railings with hedging. Vehicle and pedestrian gates may be considered as part of the proposal.

How will the new build proposals be sustainable?

Permeable paving will be used for new paths, in the car park and for the new play surfaces and will assist in helping control how surface water is released into the environment. All hard surfaces will drain towards the adjacent soft surfaces.

Rain gardens will be included in the design where appropriate. Planting and green roots will be visible from the building. The new homes will ensure that light is maintained throughout the building making it energy efficient. There will be an improved recycling and upcycling facilities.

Source Partnership has been appointed as your Independent Tenant and Leaseholder Advisor.

The appointment was made with the involvement of residents, who contributed to the contract brief and scored the bids alongside the council.

With over 30 years of experience in providing housing and regeneration advice, Source Partnership will work independently with the local community and the council to develop ideas that people want for the future of the estate.

Their role will be to:

• Help you understand and get the best outcome from the council’s proposals
• Support you to help shape details of proposals in partnership with the council and Network Homes

Your advisors will be Rob Williams and Carol Squires and you can contact them by:

• Email: info@sourcepartnership.com
• Phone: 0800 616 328

THIS NOTICE is given by the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Brent of the Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 0FJ (“the Council”) 

The Council is required by Schedule 5A of the Housing Act 1985, to publish the following information:- 

1  The Council intends to demolish the following properties:- 

• 1-2 and 5-18 Windmill Court NW2 4JG and garages; and
• Car park

(“the Relevant Properties”) 

2   The demolition of the Relevant Properties is necessary in order to redevelop and improve housing and facilities at Windmill Court. 

3   The Council intends to demolish the Relevant Properties by the 31 March 2025. 

4   The date when any Initial Demolition Notice or notices relating to the Relevant Properties will cease to be in force, unless revoked or otherwise terminated under the Housing Act 1985 Schedule 5A paragraph 3, is 31st March 2025. 

5   Whilst the Initial Demolition Notices remain in force the Council will not be under an obligation to make such a grant as is mentioned in section 138(1) of the Housing Act 1985 in respect of any claim to exercise the Right to Buy in respect of any of the Relevant Properties. 

6   There may be a right to compensation under section 138C of the Housing Act 1985 in respect of certain expenditure incurred in relation to any existing Right to Buy claim in respect of any of the Relevant Properties. 

If you have any queries regarding this notice please contact:- 

Susan Aganga, Development Officer, Housing Partnerships Service, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 0FJ. Tel: 020 8937 2183. Email: newcouncilhomes@brent.gov.uk.