Bayswater Labour Councillor Maggie Carman has been working with local campaigners to try to protect residents’ access to the square amid attempts by the current owners of Prince’s Square Gardens to flog it off to the highest bidder.

Along with residents, Cllr Carman has been working to draw the attention of Westminster Council and media to the situation. Under pressure from campaigners, who have now formed the Friends of Prince’s Square Gardens Group, Savills estate agents have had to amend the particulars, asking bidders to “please specify how you intend to use, manage and preserve the Garden following completion and how you would propose to allow local residents to have access to the Gardens.”

Residents made an offer for the Gardens which was sadly rejected. However, they have now applied to have Prince’s Square Gardens designated as an Asset of Community Value, which would give residents more time to work on their proposals and provide other safeguards.

Cllr Carman has been speaking to a known bidder about ways to retain the rights of existing residents and potentially providing wider public access around community events.

Cllr Maggie Carman said: “I will keep fighting alongside local residents to protect their rights to use Prince’s Square Gardens. I urge the owners to see sense and come to a settlement that puts residents in control, but whoever owns the site they must protect the rights of local people.”