Brent Council Reviews Nursery Screen Row in Willesden 2026

Key Points

• Controversial Proposal: The plans to construct a privacy screen along the perimeter fence of the College Green Nursery School in Willesden, North London, are attracting controversy.
• Allegation of “Land Grab”: Local community members, backed by the College Green Preservation Society, claim that the nursery school is making plans for a “land grab” which may affect the integrity of the green space.
• Petition: About 80 local members of the community have signed a petition against the plan to construct a privacy screen and have presented their petition to the Brent Council Cabinet.
• Legal & Safety Issues: The opponents cite a legal covenant made in 1913, argue that there is already a barrier in the form of the 6ft 8in fence, and stress that a screen will obstruct the necessary lines of sight needed for safeguarding children and traffic.
• Brent Council Stance: It is clear that the Brent Council recognizes the concerns expressed by the community but has to give priority to safeguarding children. They have started reviewing the fencing arrangements.

Willesden (North London News) September 9, 2026 – As reported by Grant Williams, Local Democracy Reporter for My London, Brent Council has stated that it must “prioritise the safeguarding of children” following local concerns over plans by College Green Nursery School in Willesden to erect a privacy screen along its perimeter fence. The proposal has generated friction within the North London community, with local residents accusing the educational establishment of attempting a “land grab” that would obscure views of the surrounding green space.

A petition bearing around 80 signatures was officially presented to Brent Council’s Cabinet meeting on 7 September 2026 by James Hogan, Chair of the College Green Preservation Society. The petition calls upon the local authority to block any plans for a screen or living wall, arguing that such a structure would damage the local visual landscape and infringe upon historical land covenants.

Why Are Local Residents Opposing the Nursery’s Privacy Screen?

As reported by Grant Williams of My London, James Hogan presented the residents’ objections during the council cabinet meeting, noting that the open space has been protected by a legally binding covenant dating back to 1913. Mr Hogan stated that this covenant safeguards the area from any development or alteration that would prove to be a nuisance to nearby householders or diminish the value of surrounding properties.

Addressing the cabinet, Mr Hogan stated that any privacy screen would “cause us immense annoyance” and “definitely lower the value of said estates”. He further stressed that the green space “has never been part of the nursery” and belongs to the broader community, having long been shared between the nursery and the 28th Willesden Scout Group.

Expressing anxiety over the loss of urban green areas across the capital, Mr Hogan stated to the council:

“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. If we just look around outside here, we can see all the high-rise buildings going on – some of them on open spaces.”

What Impact Does the Existing Fencing Have on the Community?

According to details reported by Grant Williams of My London regarding the presentation to the cabinet, the preservation group believes recent boundary changes have already altered the dynamics of the land. Mr Hogan highlighted that an internal barrier had previously been erected across the field.

Mr Hogan stated:

“[The nursery has] built a six-foot-eight-inch fence across the middle of the open space, which creates a physical and psychological barrier. A screen would be the next step to hide the open space and build on it.”

The petition text submitted to Brent Council by the College Green Preservation Society further asserts that the open field remains a shared asset rather than exclusive nursery property. The document notes that a full screen would obscure views towards an oak tree planted by local Scouts in 1967 and contends that visual openness is actually crucial for maintaining clear lines of sight around the site.

How Does the Council Plan to Balance Safeguarding and Community Concerns?

As reported by Grant Williams of My London, Councillor Jake Rubin, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Employment & Climate Action at Brent Council, responded directly to the petition during the cabinet meeting. Cllr Rubin confirmed that the council recognizes the points raised by residents regarding local amenity and visual impact, but emphasised the statutory duty of care owed to young children.

In his official response to the cabinet, Cllr Rubin stated that the local authority does “recognise the concerns” raised regarding the potential impact of a screen on the area, but underlined that “at the same time, we do have to prioritise the safeguarding of children”.

Outlining the next steps for 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.”

Background of the College Green Fencing and Open Space Development

The dispute surrounding College Green Open Space at the junction of College Road and Leighton Gardens in Kensal Rise/Willesden spans several decades.

The land itself is subject to an All Souls College covenant established in 1913, designed to protect surrounding residential properties from structures or activities that could constitute a legal nuisance or negatively affect estate values. The open space was historically used by community organisations, including the 28th Willesden Scout Group, which has operated in the vicinity since 1967.

In 1995, the College Green Preservation Society (founded in 1988) supported a proposal for Doyle Nursery School to relocate to the College Green site, a move completed in 2004 to help preserve the surrounding land from residential development. The location subsequently became home to College Green Nursery School & Services.

Over recent years, friction between local preservation groups and the nursery has recurred over boundary lines. Residents previously voiced objections when perimeter fencing was installed, expressing concern over partitioned usage between the nursery and local community groups. The latest proposal for sight-blocking privacy screening on the perimeter fence represents the newest phase in this ongoing debate regarding public oversight, physical security, and land preservation in Brent.

Prediction: How Will the Outcome Affect the Local Community, Nursery, and Council?

The upcoming decision by Brent Council following the Children and Young People Department’s review will directly impact three primary audiences: local residents, the nursery community, and local council leadership.

• For Local Residents and Preservation Groups: Should the council permit the installation of a privacy screen or living wall, residents surrounding College Road and Leighton Gardens may experience a permanent change to the visual amenity of their neighbourhood. This could potentially lead to further legal queries regarding the 1913 All Souls College covenant. Conversely, if the screen is blocked, residents will preserve their open view, though ongoing debates over land usage are likely to persist.
• For College Green Nursery School, Parents, and Pupils: If the privacy screen is approved, the nursery will achieve enhanced visual privacy for its outdoor areas, aligning with Department for Education (DfE) safeguarding advice designed to prevent unmonitored public sightlines onto early-years children. If rejected, the nursery management may need to seek alternative internal measures or adjusted layout configurations to satisfy statutory safeguarding guidance without altering perimeter boundaries.
• For Brent Council and Local Governance: The decision creates a precedent for how the borough balances historical land covenants and green space conservation against contemporary DfE safeguarding standards. The outcome of the review will require transparent communication with both community stakeholders and educational representatives to maintain trust across Willesden.