Brent Council has stated that it must “prioritise the safeguarding of children” in response to a petition against a nursery’s plan to erect a screen on the perimeter fence of a nearby green in Willesden. The proposal by College Green Nursery School has been accused of being a “land-grab” by local residents, who claim the screen would “block any view” of the open space.
Petition against the screen
The petition, signed by around 80 residents, was presented to Brent Council’s Cabinet on September 7 by James Hogan, Chair of the College Green Preservation Society. It argues that the screen would “completely destroy” the character of the area and calls on the council to block the plan.
Mr Hogan stated that the green has been protected since 1913 by a legally binding covenant that prevents anything that would be a nuisance to nearby residents or lessen the value of the estates. He said the screen would “cause us immense annoyance” and “definitely lower the value of said estates”.
Residents’ concerns
Mr Hogan highlighted that the open space “has never been part of the nursery” and that a screen would “remove the 360-degree vision” essential for safeguarding children. He added that the existing six-foot-eight-inch fence already “creates a physical and psychological barrier” to the green.
“College Green is a very important space, and we all know the vulnerability of open spaces. If we think about the greens in London, most of them have gone. Willesden Green, gone. Kensal Green, gone. Yes, and there was a Harlesden Green that has gone as well,” he said. “The open space has never been part of the nursery. It is a shared open space used by the Scouts and the nursery. It's equivalent to a children's playground. We don't screen children's playgrounds.”
Council’s response
In response, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Employment & Climate Action, Cllr Jake Rubin, said the council “recognises the concerns” but emphasised that “we do have to prioritise the safeguarding of children”. He noted that the issue had been raised by the nursery with the local authority.
Cllr Rubin added: “As things stand, the Children and Young People Department is undertaking a review of the fencing arrangements, including consideration of safeguarding requirements, relevant legislation, and DfE guidance. Once that review has been completed, its findings and recommendations will be shared with all relevant stakeholders, so the nursery, the Scout group, and local residents, and from there we'll be able to take an informed decision.”
