The contentious redevelopment of a community space is set to go ahead after Brent Council’s cabinet agreed to recommendations put forward by a scrutiny committee.

It means 23 new homes will be built at the Carlton and Granville Centres in South Kilburn, alongside “improved” facilities.

Several of those living nearby – and other users of the centres – objected to these plans, suggesting that the housing would have a negative impact on the site’s community use.

“We need more community space – the site should be kept as it is,” said Deidre Woods, a volunteer at the Granville Community Kitchen.

“It’s a place of solace for many members of our community. People who have nowhere to go, people who are hungry, people who are homeless.

“If they don’t have the Granville, where would they go? Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Others criticised the proposed management of the new facilities, which would be governed by the South Kilburn Trust, a charity set up by the council in 2011.

According to Peter Firmin, chairman of the South Kilburn Residents’ Association, with no resident input, this organisation “cannot represent the community”.

A compromise, of sorts, was struck as the council noted that there should be greater community involvement going forward that would involve the site’s key stakeholder group and the broader views of residents.

This was supported by Ros Dunn, chairman of the trust, who said it was “deeply committed to the future of South Kilburn and its people”.

But guarantees over noise reduction will be assessed as part of the council’s planning process, while the amount of proposed community space is in line with the current application.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, noted that it would “explore”, rather than “ensure”, the option that most of the new homes will cater for families.

However, Cllr Shama Tatler, responsible for regeneration, highways and planning at Brent Council, made it clear that they will all be used for social housing.