Much-Loved Kensal Green Victorian Building to Be Demolished 2026

Key Points

• A cherished Victorian building and community centre in Kensal Green, North London, known as the Community Centre and Harriet Tubman House at 26 and 28 Hazel Road, is set for demolition following approval by Brent Council’s planning committee.
• The decision was made on February 11, 2026, to replace the site with a four-storey office block serving as a new headquarters and training centre, featuring a training room, workspace, job search and IT rooms, a social hub, and a roof terrace.
• The application faced over 100 objections from residents, local councillors, and the Kensal Green Residents Association, primarily on heritage grounds to preserve the “much-loved” structure.
• Campaigners argued strongly for the building to be locally listed for protection, but council officers deemed it did not meet the required threshold.
• The site holds historical and community significance, with earlier lifeline efforts reported for the community centre amid concerns over its future.
• Dozens of locals previously opposed related controversial plans, highlighting ongoing tensions over urban development in the area.
• Brent Council has been accused in separate coverage of failing residents on community matters, adding context to local dissatisfaction.
• North London residents have also raised issues with broader council decisions, including pleas to figures like Sadiq Khan.

Kensal Green (North London News) February 17, 2026 – Brent Council’s planning committee has approved the demolition of a “much-loved” Victorian building and community centre at 26 and 28 Hazel Road in Kensal Green, paving the way for a modern four-storey office block despite fierce opposition from over 100 residents, local councillors, and the Kensal Green Residents Association. The decision, reached earlier this week on February 11, prioritises new facilities including a headquarters, training centre, job search rooms, IT spaces, a social hub, and roof terrace over heritage preservation arguments. Campaigners’ pleas to locally list the structure were rejected as it failed to “reach the threshold,” sparking dismay in the tight-knit North London community.

Why Was the Demolition Approved Despite Over 100 Objections?

The planning application drew significant backlash, with more than 100 objections submitted, including vocal support from local councillors and the Kensal Green Residents Association. As reported by Phoebe Fuller of MyLondon, residents argued passionately that the Victorian-era building, dubbed “much-loved” for its historical charm and role as a community hall, deserved protection on heritage grounds. Campaigners had previously pushed for it to be saved, with dozens opposing the controversial North London development plans in earlier consultations.

According to council documents referenced in the MyLondon coverage, officers concluded the structure did “not reach the threshold” for local listing, a key heritage designation that could have halted demolition. This assessment outweighed community pleas, focusing instead on the proposed replacement’s benefits: a four-storey block with workspaces, training facilities, IT and job search rooms, a social hub, and a roof terrace aimed at boosting local employment and modern needs. Brent Council’s planning committee formally greenlit the scheme on February 11, 2026, marking a pivotal win for developers amid the uproar.

Local sentiment remains raw, with objections highlighting the building’s irreplaceable community value. The Kensal Green Residents Association led much of the resistance, underscoring fears of losing a neighbourhood landmark to urban expansion.

What Is the History of the Community Centre and Harriet Tubman House?

The buildings at 26 and 28 Hazel Road have long served as vital community assets in Kensal Green, a diverse North London enclave known for its Victorian architecture. MyLondon’s reporting describes the site as comprising the Community Centre and Harriet Tubman House, named possibly in tribute to the abolitionist icon, reflecting its role in fostering local gatherings and support services.

Earlier coverage by the same outlet noted a “lifeline” for the North London community centre amid threats to its future, with Brent Council exploring options before this demolition pivot. As detailed in related MyLondon articles, the structures embodied Kensal Green’s heritage, blending Victorian aesthetics with practical use as a hall for events and meetings. Residents cherished it as a social anchor, hosting everything from job clubs to cultural activities.

The push to demolish comes against a backdrop of planning tensions. Dozens had opposed prior schemes, as Phoebe Fuller reported, viewing the site as emblematic of Kensal Green’s character. North London residents have also asked Sadiq Khan for intervention in analogous disputes, per MyLondon, signalling wider frustrations with council handling of cherished spaces.

Who Opposed the Plans and What Did They Say?

Opposition was robust and multifaceted. The Kensal Green Residents Association spearheaded campaigns, submitting formal objections alongside over 100 individuals. Local councillors joined the fray, decrying the loss of a heritage asset in their submissions to Brent Council.

As reported by Phoebe Fuller of MyLondon, campaigners contended the building should be saved outright, arguing its Victorian features warranted local listing. “It’s much-loved for a reason – it’s part of our history,” sentiments echoed in resident letters, though specific quotes from named objectors were aggregated in council records cited by the outlet.

Brent Council faced separate accusations of “failing residents,” as covered in MyLondon’s related piece on community centre woes. This context amplified detractors’ voices, with the Kensal Green group emphasising cultural erasure risks. No named councillor statements were directly quoted in primary coverage, but their collective stance bolstered the 100-plus objections tally.

What Will Replace the Victorian Building?

The approved replacement is a four-storey office block tailored for community and employment purposes. Per MyLondon’s detailed account, it will house a new headquarters and training centre, complete with a dedicated training room, flexible workspaces, job search and IT-equipped rooms, a social hub for networking, and an accessible roof terrace.

This design aims to modernise the site, addressing contemporary needs like digital skills training and job support in Kensal Green. Developers positioned it as a forward-looking upgrade, contrasting the aging Victorian infrastructure. Brent Council’s committee endorsed this vision on February 11, viewing it as a net gain despite heritage losses.

How Does This Fit into Broader North London Development Trends?

Kensal Green’s saga mirrors escalating tensions over urban renewal in North London. MyLondon’s ecosystem of stories reveals patterns: council accused of failing residents on community facilities; locals pleading with Sadiq Khan over planning woes; and dozens rallying against controversial builds.

The Harriet Tubman House and Community Centre decision underscores a recurring dilemma – balancing heritage with progress. Brent Council’s approval prioritises utility, but at the cost of Victorian legacy, fuelling debates on local listing criteria. Campaigners’ failure to secure protection highlights gaps in heritage policy, as the threshold proved insurmountable.

When and How Was the Decision Made?

The pivotal vote occurred on February 11, 2026, during a Brent Council planning committee meeting. MyLondon reported the outcome swiftly, noting approval for demolition and rebuild. Officers’ pre-meeting advice framed the building as non-qualifying for listing, steering members towards consent.

Public input shaped proceedings, with over 100 objections reviewed. The committee, after deliberation, sided with development benefits. No procedural irregularities were noted in coverage.

What Are the Next Steps for Campaigners?

With approval secured, demolition timelines remain unspecified in initial reports. Campaigners may pursue appeals or judicial reviews, though prospects dim post-committee. The Kensal Green Residents Association could rally further, leveraging the 100 objections as momentum.

Brent Council must now enforce conditions on the new build, ensuring promised features materialise. Residents watch closely, per MyLondon’s lens on North London discontent.

Why Did the Building Fail the Local Listing Threshold?

Council officers deemed the structure insufficiently special, lacking the architectural or historical rarity for designation. MyLondon quoted this rationale directly: it “not reach[ed] the threshold.” Victorian elements, while valued, fell short against stricter criteria.

This echoes prior Kensal Green fights, where heritage bids similarly stalled. Campaigners decried the bar as too high amid rapid change.

Community Impact and Reactions

Locals mourn a “much-loved” hub, fearing social fragmentation. The centre’s role in job support and events amplified its loss. Objections captured this grief, with associations vowing vigilance.

Broader MyLondon context paints Kensal Green as battleground for preservationists versus modernisers. As North London evolves, such stories test community resilience.