Debate has ignited over the future of the historic Altamira villa in Brent, as the council considers its role in the redevelopment of the 1 Morland Gardens site. The council is proposing a site use option of affordable homes and youth facilities for the One Morland Gardens site.
The discussion took place during a Brent Council meeting on Monday, September 15, 2025, where a petition was presented by Irina Porter on behalf of the Willesden Local Historical Society. The petition, signed by 251 people, urges the council to retain the locally listed Victorian villa, Altamira, as part of the redevelopment plans.
Philip Grant, representing the Willesden Local History Society, addressed the council, highlighting the building's historical significance. He described Altamira as a beautiful Italianate style Victorian villa that was built 150 years ago at the entrance to an estate called Stowbridge Park, which gave its name to the area.
The petition further clarifies that Altamira is historically significant because the noted Victorian architect, Henry Kendall Jnr, developed an estate of middle-class homes on a field beside the Harrow Road, just to the west of Harlesden between 1872 and 1876, which he called Stonebridge Park, and that was the origin of the name for the area which grew up near it. It is also one of the only surviving examples with distinctive belvedere towers. In the 1990s, Brent Council chose the building to house the Brent Adult and Community Education Service.
Councillor Bonilla, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property, responded to the petition, stating that the council understands residents' sentiment towards the Altamira building. He confirmed that the council is proposing a site use option of affordable homes and youth facilities for the One Morland Gardens site, and that any redevelopment proposals will be subject to a full planning application, which would consider the relevant planning and heritage considerations. He clarified that no decision has been made on whether to demolish or retain the Altamira building, and that any decision will be subject to a future cabinet report, after design, site investigation works and viability assessments have been undertaken.
Councillor Lohba argued that the council should take a leadership role on this issue and not simply state that this will be subject to something that the officers will produce. He stated that heritage does matter to a lot of people and it should matter to all councillors. He also stated that there is an opportunity for a redevelopment which will preserve this villa and still provide homes that this borough needs.
Councillor Maurice, who sat on the planning committee when this came to us, said that we should keep at least the frontage of this beautiful building and build behind it and repurpose behind it to bring the homes that are necessary. He also stated that we don't have many heritage buildings or assets in Brent and that is why he voted against the proposals in the planning committee.
Councillor Mistry stated that the architecture of Victorian heritage cannot be simply erased out of a history book and that erasing history is an act of criminality. He also stated that officers do need to look at some other ways of saving this building.
Councillor FFME said that all is not lost and that he was quite encouraged by the fact that the Cabinet lead said it's subject to review. He also stated that we should review it, and hopefully we can preserve it and that we need to look at ways of preserving it without demolishing, or to put it better, without going against the development of new housing around the area.
The council will consider the petition and the comments made during the meeting as it moves forward with the redevelopment plans for 1 Morland Gardens.
