Residents of the Lynton Close Traveller site in Neasden, north London, are calling for urgent action to address severe overcrowding, with up to 15 people sharing a single bathroom on one pitch. The plea comes as Brent Council acknowledges past failings and introduces a new framework aimed at rebuilding trust with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community.
Overcrowding and fire risk prompt urgent plea
In April last year, Brent Council stated that "urgent action" was needed to protect families at the Lynton Close site, citing overcrowding and fire risks that posed an "intolerable risk to life". The site, which first opened in 1996, provides 31 pitches for Gypsy and Traveller families, but has become dangerously overcrowded over the years.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on September 7, Lynton Close resident John O'Donnell said the community is glad the council "is admitting that it needs to do better to meet the needs of Travellers in Brent", but expressed concern about the absence of a plan for temporary sites.
Mr O'Donnell said: "Temporary sites at the moment from Lynton Close are needed in the worst way because of the overcrowding down there. We've got 10 to 15 people using one bathroom in one pitch, that's how badly overcrowded that site is. Temporary sites would solve this."
Council's new framework and acknowledged shortcomings
The council has outlined a new dedicated framework with three priorities: providing safe and suitable sites, building stronger relationships, and ensuring services are accessible and culturally appropriate. The authority admits it "could have done better" in its relationship with the community and says the framework is "an opportunity to change that".
Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters, Cllr Robert Johnson, said: "It's been more than a decade since we had a dedicated framework for these communities. In that time, we know that too many Gypsies, Romanis and Traveller residents have felt unheard and feel that they have not been listened to. This framework gives us an opportunity to change that."
Cllr Johnson also noted that the council has previously invested half a million pounds in capital improvements at Lynton Close and acknowledged that engagement with the Roma community "has not been good enough".
Search for temporary sites and next steps
Responding to Mr O'Donnell's concerns, Cllr Johnson said the council has hired an independent search company to find potential sites. However, he cautioned that "it's not as straight forward as finding the site and getting people on to it" because any new site must first go through the planning process.
The council has offered alternative accommodation to the community, but this has been in temporary accommodation rather than a dedicated site. The independent search company will report back to Cabinet with its findings, and the council "will then progress it from there", according to Cllr Johnson.
A recent council report says progress has been made through "closer engagement with residents, dedicated liaison roles, and working with a trusted organisation", but acknowledges there is "much more for us to do".
Brent Council Leader, Cllr Muhammed Butt, added: "Everything we're doing here is about making sure that the needs and the requirements of your community - not just in London, but across Brent and London - are going to be looked at seriously." He stressed that the report is an acknowledgement of the work to be done with the community, to improve outcomes, build trust, and ensure services are responsive to their needs.
