COMMUNITY ACTION

27/2/18

Brent Council have made efforts to sell Bridge Park to General Mediterranean Holdings (GMH). GMH plan to invest over £850 million on the land in a private development of; Hotels, Offices and 600 Flats with only 30 going to the community (5% affordable).

In return for taking the Bridge Park Complex, GMH have agreed to build on a very small portion of the land a Gym and Swimming Pool for the community; drawings which were provided for the recent community consultation events in Harlesden and Bridge Park. The community have not been consulted on the Land Sale. Our community has greater socio economic needs than a Swimming Pool and Gym. The community’s opposition to the land sale and proposed development was unanimous at both meetings.

KILBURN TIMES COVERAGE (CLICK HERE)

In further opposition the community has put forward its own vision: To build an iconic Centre of Excellence (Educational, Social, Commercial, Technology) along with the UK’s largest African & Caribbean supermarket & wholesale, Banqueting/Theatre and Multi-Faith Centre on the land – all self-funding with 200 residential flats, with up to 25% affordable.

The Bridge Park Community Council Steering Group (BPCC) is an Unincorporated Association.

It is intended that we are a part of the successor group to the original Harlesden Peoples Community Council HPCC (founders of Bridge Park).

We have come together with the specific aim of establishing the communities’ interest in Bridge Park and to ensure we have a say in the control and development of the Land.

There is a foundation stone on the outside wall of the Bridge Park Complex which stands in recognition and as testament to the work of the founders HPCC. We are lobbying to keep this stone and to correct the historical void that exist around the true story of Bridge Park. Importantly, that any development should be used for the Socio-economic benefit of the Local Community and specifically aimed but not limited to the needs of the African and Caribbean community. All this is in keeping with the original HPCC aims and vision for Bridge Park.

BPCC is made up of members from the local community, skilled volunteers, business people and users of Bridge Park, who intend to setup as the BPCC Charity (CIO), to hold the Bridge Park development assets after our successful case, along with the outcome of any negotiations with Brent.

Summary of Legal Matters

Brent has now acknowledged our application and indicated to the Land registry their intention to resist our application and in so doing Brent will be fighting on behalf of GMH against the community.

The BP LAND REF: NGL426015   BPCC RESTRICTION FILING REF: W547ZPP ENTRY DATE: AUGUST 18, 2017.

• Support the Bridge Park Complex community legal challenge.
• ‘For The Community by The Community.’
• We, The People,………….’It Can Be Done.’

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

Following the application to the Land Registry to place a restriction on the sale of Bridge Park, we have continued the legal fight based on our confidence that we have a valid case to argue. To consolidate our position, we now have 2 Senior Legal Counsel’s Opinion, and furthermore, we have been researching to gather information, and gathered our evidence. We have formed a solid argument, with a legal basis, supported by evidential information.

Consolidation of our situation has been the focus of work for the last four months. We believe that we would win, if we were to continue this legal challenge. To that end, we need Your support.

 What do we need?

Community Action

What do we want?

• Community Feedback on our Vision

• Completion of the BPCC questionnaire

• Financial support for the legal challenge-donate: 

www.gofundme.com/bridgepark

• Sign the on-line Petition and give feedback comments
• Public Meeting attendance – date to be announced

We have largely self-funded the down payment for the legal fight, and now require support to pay for the Legal action and to put together resources for a team to mount a full community engagement and PR campaign.

9^th Feb 2018 Brent Council issued a “Letter Before Action” in summary:

• Brent are withdrawing from and now refusing to enter ADR/ Unconditional Negotiations;

and

• threatening that unless we withdraw our Land Registry Application to restrict their Sale of Bridge Park, Brent will effectively take the community to the High Court.

We are currently at Phase 2 of our legal fight. If we are to continue to Phase 3 we will need your escalated support. We need now to raise £145k (Legal Phase 3: £70k, Legal Phase 2: Lawyers £20k, Senior Counsel £12k, Expenses £13k and £15k PR & Campaign, Misc £15k).

We urgently require £20k for our Phase 2 legal.

 Please donate: Visit: www.gofundme.com/bridgepark

 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO SAVE BRIDGE PARK LAND & COMPLEX

****  GOOD NEWS UPDATE  October 2017 ****

THANK YOU FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO SAVE BRIDGE PARK LAND & COMPLEX

BRIDGE PARK IS NOT SOLD

Stonebridge Community Trust (HPCC) Ltd as successor to HPCC established Bridge Park Complex Steering Group (BPCC), to protect the interest, control and development of the Bridge Park Land and Properties for the community. 

In the 1980s, HPCC, founded by a group of young 16-20 year olds, who followed their vision and desire to serve the community, and to ensure that the young men and women growing up in Stonebridge had facilities and opportunities to empower them to succeed.  They bought the land supported by sourced funding of £1.8m.   They raised a further £8m and backing to design the properties that remain to date.  The original vision was for the creation of commercial business units, sports and multi-purpose facilities.  The land is estimated to be worth £50 million.

In order for HPCC to obtain the funds, Brent Council acted as custodians ONLY: with no right to sell, transfer or dispose of the land, acquired by the community for the community. The Bridge Park site had a protective covenant on the land.  Brent Council officers work covertly worked to remove the covenant prior. The community were not consulted.

Experienced Lawyers, (DWFM Beckman, London) have been engaged, and advice has been taken from a Senior Counsel, specializing in this area of Law and Chancery.

Brent Council entered into the Conditional Land Sale Agreement with General Mediterranean Holdings (GMH) for the sale of the Bridge Park Complex in June 2017.  A strict condition of the sale is that the land must be free of all interests. Brent Council plan to allow development worth over £800 million, but aim to let the 3.5acres of prime land go for less than £13million to GMH.

An application to the Land Registry to restrict Brent Council, to stop the Sale of Bridge Park was made in August 2017, through lawyers.  HPCC declared the community’s interest in the land.

Land Entry Ref: NGL426015  

Our Restriction Filing Ref: W547ZPP  Entry Date: August 18, 2017.

Brent Council continue to use our tax payers money to protract matters. BPCC say the community have an alternative vision  see Our Vision.

BPCC Application Image (Evidence 1):

THE SALE REMAINS INCOMPLETE – THE MATTER WILL EITHER GO TO COURT OR TRIBUNAL.

Brent Response Image (Evidence 2):

THEREFORE BRIDGE PARK COMPLEX REMAINS AND HAS NOT BEEN DISCHARGED (SOLD)

Evidence 3:

Community support and ongoing fundraising is needed for our vision to build a Centre of Excellence for the community, – to be well managed, self-sustaining and expressing educational, social and commercial aspects; as a legacy now and for future generations in an iconic building: as the pride of our community.

DONATIONS & SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Please support us with as much as you can give. 

We continue to work hard on your behalf.

The target of £25,000.00 is needed for the legal fight to save Bridge Park Complex.

Monthly donations of £10-£50 are welcomed.

GoFundme Link:  https://www.gofundme.com/bridgepark

The foundation stone on the front external wall of the Bridge Park Complex, stands as a testament to the legacy.

“BPCC –  THE COMMUNITY PEOPLE WITH A VISION YOU CAN TRUST”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO SAVE BRIDGE PARK LAND & COMPLEX