Was up at the illustrious Wembley Plaza hotel (pictured left) on Monday for the Brent Housing Strategy Conference. Quite remarkable to find so many diverse stakeholders in the (albeit windowless) room, from private sector developers and suppliers, through the multitude of weird and wonderful Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and - crucially - inclusive of a huge number of real residents and tenants representatives.
The room was packed. Cllr Paul Lorber, the immensely dapper leader of Brent council led proceedings, with his doughty Director of Housing, Martin Cheeseman (recently made an OBE - hurrah!) directing the troops.
Brent are to be congratulated on this very inclusive model of engagement. And, indeed, the lovely David Lunts of the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) did say as much, when he made his address to the assembled throng.
David was kind enough to say some nice things about South Kilburn, only partially prompted by one of our residents, Brian (what a poppet) who asked a question about funding for South Kilburn housing that was so in-yer-face that it made even ME blush. It would seem that everyone remains absolutely committed to delivering the transformation of the South Kilburn estate that the community seeks.
Which is very good news indeed, as the master plan that I inherited for South Kilburn, which involved the re-provision of all council homes and the provision of new private housing together with educational, health, sports and leisure facilities has had to be re-thought and re-programmed over a much longer timeframe.
The delivery vehicle for the £1bn master plan had to be dismantled due to the delay, and ultimate disappointment, in bridging the funding gap together with the subsequent withdrawal of the private sector due to the current economic climate.
But the market crash - perversely - has thrown up a great opportunity for South Kilburn. The new master planning is making for a more organic, humane approach to the estate and is likely to deliver a more comfortable outcome.
So as the HCA has confirmed that South Kilburn is a priority for them and as the Primary Care Trust recently committed to the Healthy Living Centre, the redevelopment is now on the brink of real and significant progress. The investment to date on the social and economic welfare of the community has also provided real and significant benefit. There is a lot to celebrate.
Altogether, I am bullish. You will hear more and more about South Kilburn. It gets to you.
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