Residents of a Brent estate will vote on whether their council should press on with its regeneration policy for the area.

Brent Council’s cabinet agreed to ballot those living in South Kilburn as it intends to demolish the 17 blocks remaining on the estate.

They will be asked to answer yes or no to the question: ‘Are you in favour of the proposal to continue with the regeneration of South Kilburn?’

“I think this is a real step forward – we are really proud of the scheme that we have in South Kilburn,” said Cllr Shama Tatler, responsible for regeneration, highways and planning at Brent Council.

“This is about empowering residents and giving a good quality of life to those who live on the estate.”

Cllr Eleanor Southwood, responsible for housing and welfare reform at the council, supported the ballot, noting that the current administration has “always been committed” to this process.

“We have always encouraged people to love where they live and what better way of doing this than giving them a meaningful vote on their future,” she said.

Brent Council deputy leader Cllr Margaret McLennan said this represents the latest move in improving Kilburn.

She pointed out that those who attended the opening of the Kilburn ‘hub’ on Saturday (July 13) had “nothing but compliments” for the council’s plans for the area.

Just over 1,000 people will be eligible to vote – those who currently live on the estate and a small number of people who have been moved out of it but have a right to return.

As part of the regeneration programme, council tenants and those in temporary accommodation will be offered a new house on the estate or another council home if preferred.

The council explained they will receive just under £7,000 as a disturbance payment as well as removal expenses.

Leaseholders will be given the choice of selling their home back to the council and leaving the estate, or buying a new home on the estate, usually on a shared ownership scheme.