Vehicle Mitigation measures at Lord's
Given the recent tragic and terrible terror attacks and the remaining heightened threat level, the police and security services have recommended certain boroughs including Westminster install temporary Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) measures in busy and perceived to be vulnerable pedestrian areas.
With this in mind, Lord’s has been identified as one such area and HVM has been put down along St John’s Wood Road. This temporary deployment of HVM was installed in time for the South Africa Test starting on Thursday 6th July and will be in place until the middle of September.
Your local Councillors are supportive of these measures and recognise these are exceptional circumstances which demand exceptional solutions.
We will however be working with Lord’s, residents, Westminster Council officers and other stakeholders to establish a more long-term solution which helps to preserve the safety of spectators visiting Lord’s but also respects the St John’s Wood Conservation Area and the need to have minimum street clutter.
Hanging baskets brighten up the High Street
For those who visit the High Street the hanging baskets are now in full bloom and we hope you agree they help to improve the environment making our local High Street just that bit more attractive with an array of colour and greening.
Daniel, Gotz and Robert have listened to residents who have asked that these baskets be extended beyond Wellington Place to Prince Albert Road, so from this year onwards that is precisely what has been done.
We have secured the funding for these baskets from the local ward budget.
If you have any ideas on other local initiatives to improve our area which we could help with, please do get in touch.
Crocker's Folly update
Crocker’s Folly is a Grade 11* listed public house built in 1898 and is one of only a handful of pubs in Regent’s Park ward. Owing to its location, in a highly residential area (Aberdeen Place/Cunningham Place), strict licensing conditions were placed when it re-opened in 2014 as a gastro pub. A new licensing application was submitted earlier this year which looked to extend the hours of use of the external area from 21.00 until 23.00. A number of residents contacted your local Councillors concerned about the impact these additional two hours would have on their amenity.
Although we very much support the presence of this historical pub and restaurant which has provided a valuable additional asset within our ward, we did nevertheless sympathise and support the concerns of local people. We made representation to the Licensing Sub-Committee who agreed that there was the potential for noise in this outside area which would have an adverse affect on residents living near-by. The application was subsequently refused.
Melina Place - protecting community identity
Melina Place is a quiet, narrow cul-de-sac in the heart of our community. Over the past few years there have been a number of major basement developments in this road which has caused much stress and anxiety to residents living there. One such application was granted planning permission in August 2016 to erect a new storey and basement however recently a subsequent planning application was submitted seeking approval to vary a number of the original Conditions including allowing construction works on a Saturday morning.
Your Councillors supported the objections by local people to not vary the Conditions arguing this variation would impact significantly on the amenity of neighbouring residents; we also made the appropriate representation to the Planning Committee last month. The Committee agreed and commented that they felt the original Construction Management Plan was proportionate and the change would be unfair on residents. As one resident who lives in Melina Place said 'That is indeed very good news and thank you again to Cllr Rigby for all his help with this matter’. If you have any planning matters you wish to bring to our attention, please do get in contact.
Westminster Conservatives working to ensure the safety of residents across the city
We have all been shocked and appalled at the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower.
Westminster’s Conservative Councillors know that many people are concerned about the safety of residents living in high rise blocks. We have been very proactive since that fire and have ensured that Westminster Council has been in regular contact with residents to keep them informed and reassure them that their safety is of utmost importance.
There is just one estate - Little Venice - that has cladding with some similarities to Grenfell Tower. A panel has been tested by the Government and like everywhere else in the country, it did not pass. But it is important to note that the Little Venice cladding system is very different to Grenfell Tower. For example, the insulation is called ‘Rockwool’ which is non-flammable and made of ground stone.
Your Councillors have also been working with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and they have completed their detailed inspections of all six of the tower blocks at Little Venice. They have confirmed that they are satisfied we are putting in place appropriate fire safety measures to mitigate the risks from fire and Westminster Council have written to residents to let them know.
We are confident the council’s buildings across Westminster are safe but Westminster Conservatives want to make them safer. Currently, building regulations are that new build flats over 30 metres should have sprinklers fitted. We announced that sprinklers will be fitted in all existing buildings above 30 metres managed by CityWest Homes across the city, which will typically be blocks of over 12 storeys, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of sprinkler systems in buildings below 12 storeys.
We will go further than the regulations in retro-fitting sprinklers in existing buildings at the same height across Westminster, as well as looking closely at all the issues regarding sprinkler installation.
CityWest Homes, which manages Westminster’s housing stock on behalf of the council, has a comprehensive programme of fire safety looking at more than 20 projects and we will keep you updated with progress. For example, there is a comprehensive review of signage and access points.
In addition, Westminster Council are introducing enhanced fire risk assessments for all blocks of 10 storeys or above. The Council are working closely with the LFB on this and are hoping to complete this work with them in the next fortnight. When the LFB report back, their findings will be shared and subsequent action plans of works that may need to be undertaken. We have ensured that the Council will provide residents in high-rise blocks with copies of the inspections when they are complete.
Aiken takes action on Affordable Homes
Conservative Leader of Westminster City Council, Councillor Nickie Aiken, signalled a change in the Council’s policy on affordable housing at a keynote speech to the London Real Estate Forum, where she called upon developers to ‘build more homes that people from all backgrounds can afford’.
Councillor Aiken spoke about the fundamental change needed to build a Westminster of aspiration for future generations. She indicated that she wants to partner with developers to ensure more affordable and intermediate housing – with a target of 60% intermediate built in future years. In a stark warning to property developers who have previously relied on contributions and viability assessments,
Councillor Aiken said: 'Being friendly to business does not mean engaging in some cosy cabal and we will not allow our residents to be short-changed' adding ‘there’s no time for on-going pleasant and cosy chats, glossy plans or brochures that don’t reflect people’s lives. My view is that too many times we have not always pushed back enough'.
Working with her Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Realm, Councillor Daniel Astaire, Councillor Aiken announced that the City Plan is to be fully redrawn to reflect this new priority and, citing the immediate need for action, revealed that an interim statement on planning policies to support housing delivery will be released shortly.
She also cited a number of achievements under her Conservative administration, including: 197 affordable homes in the new Dudley House development, 86 affordable homes as part of the regeneration of the Tollgate Gardens estate, a new, state-of-the-art 84 bed care home at Beechcroft and a brand new 840 pupil school in Marylebone.
Councillor Aiken said: “If you are a developer who wants to invest in, and be invested in, the future of our city, you are welcome. However, if you are just a speculator who wants to make a fast buck by building properties that only oligarchs and absent overseas investors can afford, you are in the wrong borough! We will never be a borough whose stock in trade is simply to sell its golden post codes to the highest bidder".
Ex Labour Councillor joins Westminster Conservatives
A former local Labour councillor has joined the Conservative Party as he believes it better represents residents’ concerns and interests.
Murad Gassanly, Councillor for Churchill Ward in Pimlico, will now sit on the Westminster Conservative benches. His move comes after discussions over recent months with Westminster Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Nickie Aiken and representatives of the Cities of London & Westminster Conservative Association.
His application was fully endorsed at a meeting of the Westminster City Council Conservative Group on 5th July. He has officially informed the local authority’s chief executive of his wish to represent the Conservative Party.
Commenting on becoming a Conservative Councillor, Gassanly said: “I am proud to live in the community I represent and have seen first hand the positive difference the Conservative Council has made to local peole’s lives. I want to ensure my ward secures the best services and new homes to safeguard our truly unique neighbourhood, which I have been proud to represent since 2014.
“I have been on a political journey over the last few years and have come to the conclusion that it is only the Conservatives who want to support people and help them no matter what their background.”
Said Cllr Nickie Aiken: “I am delighted that Murad has decided to join us on the Conservative benches. He will make an outstanding contribution to both our Group and Council, ensuring his residents are well served. I believe he has a very bright future.”
