‘Much-Loved’ Kensal Green Victorian Building Demolished 2026

Key Points

• A cherished Victorian building and community centre at 26 and 28 Hazel Road in Kensal Green, North London, is slated for demolition following approval by Brent Council’s planning committee on February 11, 2026.
• The plans involve replacing it with a four-storey office block serving as a new headquarters and training centre for social mobility charity Making The Leap, including a training room, workspace, job search and IT rooms, a social hub, and a roof terrace.
• The building, owned by Making The Leap since 2000, was described as “no longer fit for purpose” by its founder, Tunde Banjoko, who seeks a state-of-the-art facility to better serve young people.
• Over 100 objections were lodged against the application, citing heritage significance, the new building’s size being out of character for the area, and concerns over overlooking.
• Objectors included local councillors and the Kensal Green Residents Association (KGRA), who argued the Victorian structure should be preserved on heritage grounds.
• Campaigners contended the building warranted local listing, but council officers deemed it did not “reach the threshold” for such protection.
• A last-minute request to defer the decision due to alleged bias and pre-determination by council officers was dismissed by the committee’s lawyer, who found “no legal reason why the committee shouldn’t go ahead and determine the application in the normal way”.

Kensal Green, North London (North London News) February 14, 2026 – Brent Council’s planning committee has approved the demolition of the much-loved Victorian Community Centre and Harriet Tubman House at 26 and 28 Hazel Road, paving the way for a modern four-storey office block despite fierce opposition from residents and heritage advocates.​

The decision, reached earlier this week, marks the end of a contentious battle over the site, which sits atop train lines near Kensal Green Underground and Overground station. Owned by the social mobility charity Making The Leap since 2000, the buildings will make room for a new headquarters featuring enhanced facilities aimed at supporting young people through training and job opportunities.​

Why Was the Demolition Approved Despite Over 100 Objections?

Objectors, numbering more than 100, raised alarms about the loss of a Victorian-era structure they viewed as a community cornerstone. As reported in MyLondon, the Kensal Green Residents Association (KGRA) and local councillors highlighted the building’s heritage value, arguing it deserved local listing to prevent its destruction.​

Campaigners specifically contended that the architecture merited protection, but planning officers ruled it fell short of the necessary threshold. MyLondon detailed how concerns also extended to the proposed replacement: its four-storey height was decried as out of character for the low-rise residential neighbourhood, with fears of increased overlooking into nearby homes.​

The KGRA echoed these sentiments in their formal objection, emphasising the cultural and historical fabric at risk. Local councillors joined the chorus, submitting objections that underscored the building’s role as a “much-loved” community hall integral to Kensal Green’s identity.​

What Did Making The Leap’s Founder Say About the Building’s Condition?

Tunde Banjoko, founder of Making The Leap, addressed the planning committee directly during the February 11 hearing. According to MyLondon’s coverage, Banjoko stated that the existing building is “no longer fit for purpose” and advocated for a new state-of-the-art training centre to “improve the facilities for young people”.​

Banjoko’s testimony centred on the charity’s mission to uplift disadvantaged youth through better resources, including dedicated job search and IT rooms. The proposed development, as outlined in the application, promises a social hub and roof terrace alongside workspaces, positioning it as a forward-thinking upgrade.​

This rationale swayed the committee, which prioritised practical community benefits over preservation in their approval. Making The Leap has stewarded the site for over two decades, transforming it into a hub for social mobility initiatives.​

Was There Any Controversy Over Bias in the Planning Process?

Uncertainty gripped the proceedings when a request emerged to defer the application amid allegations of bias and pre-determination against council officers. MyLondon reported that the committee’s lawyer reviewed the complaint and concluded there was “no legal reason why the committee shouldn’t go ahead and determine the application in the normal way”.​

This intervention cleared the path for the vote, quashing attempts to halt the process. Critics had hoped the deferral would allow deeper scrutiny of procedural fairness, but the legal assurance enabled the meeting to proceed unimpeded.​

The episode highlighted tensions in local planning, where accusations of officer influence are not uncommon. Nonetheless, the committee pressed forward, delivering its endorsement without further delay.​

What Facilities Will the New Building Include?

The approved replacement comprises a comprehensive four-storey structure tailored to Making The Leap’s needs. Key elements, as per the planning documents cited by MyLondon, encompass a training room, flexible workspaces, specialised job search and IT suites, a communal social hub, and an accessible roof terrace.​

Positioned directly above active rail lines, the new headquarters aims to centralise the charity’s operations in a vibrant, modern environment. Proponents argue these amenities will amplify outreach to young people facing employment barriers, aligning with broader social mobility goals.​

The design seeks to integrate seamlessly with Kensal Green’s transport links, potentially boosting footfall and community engagement. While objectors decry the scale, supporters view it as a pragmatic evolution for a site long dedicated to public good.​

How Significant Is the Heritage Loss to the Community?

The Victorian building’s demolition has sparked grief among residents who cherish its historical footprint. MyLondon described it as a “much-loved” landmark, with campaigners pushing vigorously for its salvage on heritage grounds.​

Earlier coverage by MyLondon noted dozens opposing similar controversial North London plans, reflecting a pattern of resistance to developments eroding local character. The KGRA’s stance framed the structure as emblematic of Kensal Green’s past, warranting protection akin to locally listed assets.​

Yet, the council’s assessment prioritised functionality, determining the building lacked sufficient architectural merit. This ruling echoes prior debates, such as those over council responses to community pleas in the area.​

What Role Did Local Councillors Play in the Objections?

Local councillors lent weight to the opposition, submitting formal objections alongside the KGRA. MyLondon highlighted their concerns over the new build’s incompatibility with the streetscape and its potential to disrupt privacy through overlooking.​

Their involvement signals broader political unease with rapid changes in Kensal Green, a district balancing growth against tradition. Councillors’ voices amplified resident fears, urging the committee to reconsider heritage implications.​

Despite this, the planning body approved the scheme, underscoring a divide between preservationists and progressives. The councillors’ stance remains a focal point for potential appeals or future advocacy.​

Could This Decision Be Challenged or Reversed?

While the approval stands, the volume of objections leaves room for appeals. MyLondon’s reporting on related stories, like lifelines for other North London centres, suggests ongoing vigilance from campaigners.​

The KGRA and councillors may pursue judicial review, particularly if procedural flaws surface post-decision. Brent Council’s dismissal of bias claims could come under renewed scrutiny in such challenges.​

Community sentiment, as captured across objections, indicates strong resolve to fight on. Residents have previously rallied against developments, drawing in figures like Sadiq Khan in North London pleas.​

Broader Context: Planning Tensions in Kensal Green

Kensal Green’s evolving landscape frames this saga. MyLondon has chronicled council accused of failing residents, with planning applications stirring regular controversy.​

The site’s proximity to Kensal Green station amplifies stakes, as new builds could reshape accessibility and aesthetics. This approval fits a trend where utility trumps history, prompting questions about North London’s heritage safeguards.​

Residents now eye the demolition timeline, bracing for the loss of a Victorian relic. Making The Leap’s vision offers hope for rejuvenation, but at the cost of communal memory.​