On 9th February 2026, Brent Council' Cabinet resolved to dispose of its freehold reversion to the 99 year Lease granted of the above property. It is vested in Playgolf London Limited. Following advertisement of the proposed sale, a consultation on comments received is still under way.
The golf course is the 2nd largest SINC in Brent, a Borough already deficient in public open space. The golf course included ancient hedgerows although it is understood the current tenant has carried out works that degraded these at least in part. A watercourse runs through the site, which is now abutted by an artificial grass driving range. When the substantial reservoir on the top of Harrow on the Hill overflows, it travels through the site. The main Watford Road floods. Footpaths cross the site.
It is understood that Brent council has already been in touch with the GLA with a view to ascertaining if special circumstances might exist to allow for residential development on this significant area of MOL and what was (& may still be) public open space, ending the use as a golf centre. It abuts Northwick Park Hospital and Watford Road is a highly used road.
Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, please supply copies of all correspondence, emails, meeting notes and notes of telephone conversations relating to the proposed disposal, discussion on the MOL status of the land, whether it might be lifted, or special circumstances apply and the GLA's position on possible development for residential property in light of the MOL, SINC and public open space status.
If any exemptions are applicable, please supply full detail, and any public interest balancing exercise. It is understood the public notice of proposed sale gave rise to detailed concerned and reasoned objections, bearing in mind, e.g., the accessibility to the site , the provision for discounted rates for use, and its footpaths adjoining playing fields, of which the golf course once formed part.
The site is a well loved and used asset, and the MOL there forms a clear, well- canopied and substantial open space between the 2 conurbations of Harrow and Brent.
Concern has arisen because of The Mayor's recent statement about "underused" golf courses being made available for housing.
Our response
We have checked across our planning team and can confirm that we have no records or correspondence with LB Brent relating to the above site or its MOL status.
The Mayor remains fully committed to protecting Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and other designated accessible green spaces, which are vital to London’s green infrastructure.
The draft London Plan, published for consultation last week (see here), continues to provide strong strategic protections for these areas. However, responsibility for the designation and review of MOL boundaries lies with individual boroughs through their local plan processes, not with the Mayor.
While the Mayor can assess whether suggested changes to MOL boundaries align with his strategic objectives when reviewing their draft local plans, he has no powers to propose or support specific boundary changes outside this process. Any such amendments must therefore be made by the borough council at the local level. Any amendments to the boundary of MOL would usually need to be considered as part of the borough’s next Local Plan review.
