Council defends local heritage in Hyde Park
Your council has successfully prosecuted people who damage our historic buildings.Three defendants must pay over £93,000 after they removed the roof, walls, floors and chimney breasts from a grade II listed 1830s Georgian building in Star Street without consent.
The court threw out the claim that Mohammed Owadally and Seema Khan did not know that the building was listed after it emerged that David Williams, their chartered structural engineer, had informed them. The two had bought the house, which is in the Bayswater Conservation Area, for £1.5 million in August 2013. They continued to work on the property despite a number of warnings from Westminster City Council. District Judge Coleman said that the “drastic” operation had destroyed the “historic fabric” of the building, affecting its physical stability. They were undertaken in spite of a clear order from Westminster that all building work should stop.
Cllr Peter Freeman, WCC deputy cabinet member for the built environment, said that the defendants “showed no regard for Westminster Council's careful stewardship and protection of our listed buildings.”
He continued: “We work hard to look after our historic properties, which make Westminster such a special and treasured place.These individuals should have known better and these fines send a clear message that it is not acceptable simply to ignore the planning rules enforced by local authorities.”
Cllr Peter Freeman, WCC deputy cabinet member for the built environment, said that the defendants “showed no regard for WCC's careful stewardship and protection of our listed buildings.”
He continued: “We work hard to look after our historic properties, which make Westminster such a special and treasured place.These individuals should have known better and these fines send a clear message that it is not acceptable simply to ignore the planning rules enforced by local authorities.”
Enforcing the Rules for the Neighbourhood
Over the summer months, Hyde Park ward always has an influx of tourists and the numbers and economic wealth in the area can attract unwelcome activity. Your Councillors have worked with partners to take action against anti social behaviour.
There is now a dedicated WCC Inspector for Edgware Road, to make sure that rules are being respected. He will work with our own Ward Inspector, as well as the new Marble Arch BID patrol team and the police.
As well as the recent cafe premises inspection, where cash and illegal tobacco for shisha was seized, and police enquiries continue, planning and licensing enforcement has ensured that other premises stick to agreed hours of operation. In one case, where this was not happening, a licence was revoked.
The "super cars" which are being parked illegally in our ward are being ticketed regularly by Marshals. Westminster has not been towing away or clamping for many years now as it is not cost-effective. However, a fine (or many) does not deter some owners of these cars, so alternative means of ensuring consideration for neighbours are being explored.
Crossed Fingers: Concert Complaints Down So Far
Your councillors are set for a site tour of the Hyde Park concert venue in September ahead of the BBC Proms in the Park and Radio 2 Live event. It's part of WCC's continuous engagement with the promoters of the concerts in the park, to ensure noise stays within the decibel limit and litter and crowd movements are managed with as little impact as possible on residents (and park wildlife, including bats!) After the BST festival ended on July 10 with a 65,000 crowd enjoying Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life, we as ward councillors received no complaints.
The Royal Parks' need to generate income to replace government grants is not likely to change any time soon. At least under the current arrangements the Parks receive more of the upside from the events that take place there. We'll be keeping a careful eye on the build arrangements, footprint and security planning for Winter Wonderland to make sure lorry parking periods, litter and crime are minimised.
