HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – July 2023
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Dear Resident,
We hope that all is well. It has been another few weeks of activity right across the ward.
We attended the launch of the High Streets initiative on Edgware Road on 27th June. It was a packed event with standing room only. For more information see https://www.westminster.gov.uk/place-shaping/westminster-high-streets-programme
We also did a walkabout with the Leader of the Council on 7th July and met businesses along Edgware Roadto ask their thoughts on how we can improve the area. Beforehand we saw comments from residents at the Praed Street consultation hub.
We hold a regular advice surgery at St John’s Parish Hall, Hyde Park Crescent, on the first Thursday of the month from 6-7pm. The next will be on Thursday 3rd August, 6pm-7pm.
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road/Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Devonport
The Planning Committee has refused permission for the Church Commissioners’ plans for two houses on the site of unused garages in the Devonport car park. We spoke against the proposals and in support of residents’ objections to the size and inappropriate design of the plans, the loss of two mature trees, the loss of part of the garden area and the proximity to adjacent houses in Somers Crescent.
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/2023/07/12/great-victory-for-devonport-residents/
Le Pain Quotidien, Kendal Street
We are shocked that Le Pain Quotidien on Kendal Street has gone into administration and closed. This is bad news for the Connaught Village area.
It is crucial that this site is not left empty for too long (like many others in the area) and we have asked the Church Commissioners to do everything possible to attract a new operator, including independents, by offering attractive terms. The whole future of the Connaught Village area depends on getting in an appropriate new operator speedily.
Oxford Square
We asked the Church Commissioners and the Council’s Enforcement Team to investigate residents’ concerns about short-term Airbnb letting in Oxford Square. “Homeowners here feel it is unsafe to use our rear communal gardens as some of the Airbnb-ers are quite aggressive,” say residents.
Connaught Street/ Portsea Place
We asked the City Inspectors to take action against those responsible for dumping rubbish at the corner of Connaught Street/Portsea Place.
Park West Place
We asked the police and the Parking Team to take action against those responsible for the regular late-night noise, drug dealing and disturbance at Park West Place.
Porchester Place
We continue to ask the Environmental Health Team to monitor smoke emissions from restaurants in Porchester Place which is causing a nuisance for nearby residents.
The Quadrangle and 25 Porchester Place
Following our reports to the Church Commissioners about Airbnb short-term lettings at The Quadrangle and 25 Porchester Place, the Church Commissioners tell us:
“We have now installed posters regarding subletting in English and Arabic across the Estate. This week I received an email from someone who had made an AirBnB booking at Quadrangle Tower and, having seen the signs and been told by their ‘host’ to not give any information to the onsite staff, decided not to stay at the property. This is only one case amongst many instances of subletting, but good to know that the posters are starting to have an impact. We have also now referred the flat to our solicitors as it was not one that we were aware of previously.
We have also funded additional security for a 3-month trial period at 25 Porchester Place to assist the on-site staff with challenging arrivals at the block who may be short let tenants. This is alongside a programme of cancelling fobs and asking leaseholders to attend in person to have their fob re-activated.”
Strathearn Place
We asked the Highways Team to contact the builders working on a property in Strathearn Place where there was a large mound of debris. The Highways Team said, “All the waste has now been removed but we have spoken to the site/contractors to communicate that they should not be putting any waste on the footway. They have assured us that it won’t happen again.”
St George’s Fields
The Council has introduced a communal food waste recycling service for St George’s Fields. For further information contact foodwaste@westminster.gov.uk
The Heron, Norfolk Crescent
We are liaising with the police and the City Inspectors about the late-night noise and anti-social behaviour around The Heron pub and have requested more evening patrols.
Southwick Place/Hyde Park Crescent
The Environmental Health Team met a resident of Hyde Park Crescent to assess the scale of the pigeon feeding problem affecting neighbours of a house on Southwick Place. Officers visited the property for nearly an hour and checked all outdoor areas and gathered photographic evidence of the problem.
One resident said, “our children can’t go out to the garden because of the pigeon poo everywhere and the continuous rats crossing the garden.” Another resident said, “the Pest Control officer has informed me that my neighbour’s top gulley is now so full of toxic pigeon poo that it is only a matter of time before the rainwater will not be able to travel along the gulley and it is likely that if will back up into my property.” The Team is now considering the options available to deal with these problems.
Kendal Street
We again asked the City Inspectors to ensure that the car wash activities do not encroach on to the Kendal Street pavement. A resident told us, “I went by about an hour ago. It was impossible to pass with safety as huge vehicles blocked the entrance to the facility. I had to step into the road, only to find two cars parked up on the pavement at the exit, as the assistants were polishing them.”
Hyde Park Estate security
For residents living on the Hyde Park Estate, the Croma mobile security supervisor contact number is 07880 680257. The mobile team provides 2 patrols each evening between the hours of 19.00pm – 07.00am. This is paid for via the service charges at blocks managed by the Church Commissioners, who also pay for the patrol at Portsea Mews and around Connaught Village.
Please note, you can only use this number to report incidents within the boundary of the Hyde Park Estate as Croma are paid to operate within that area only.
Park Lane
Transport for London has decided to retain the Park Lane cycle lane following consultation earlier this year https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/park-lane-cycle-lane-permanent-transport-for-london-tfl-b1093913.html
To read the consultation report see https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/park-lane
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Bouverie Place
We asked the Highways Team to remove a paint spill from the pavement on Bouverie Place. The paint has now been removed.
Sale Place/St Michael’s Street
We asked the Highways Team to fix a dangerous section of pavement where a gap had opened up between a utilities fixture and the pavement causing a trip hazard. The problem has now been fixed.
Star Street/Sale Place
Veolia have increased their collections at the Star Street bins from twice a day to three times a day. We hope that this ensures the area is cleared of dumped items very quickly.
Star Street
We have asked the Council’s Enforcement Team to investigate reports of continuous short-term letting of a flat in Star Street. Residents say, “This flat has at least 2 or 3 lettings a week. People come and go at all times.”
Southwick Street
We asked the Highways Team to fix a dangerous pavement trip hazard on Southwick Street.
Praed Street
Following our enquiries about the need for signage on the pavement, some of which were obstructing pedestrians, the Highways Team tell us;
“Our team has been to site to review the signage in place on Praed Street and have confirmed that the ‘diversion ends’ can be removed and has now gone. Unfortunately, the remaining signage is required due to a combination of the works to finish the Cube development and the Balfour Beatty works repairing damage at Paddington Station. We will continue to monitor the situation on site and try to minimise signage left on the network where we can.”
Norfolk Square
We asked the police to arrange extra patrols in Norfolk Square following reports from residents about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.
Junction Place
We asked the City Inspectors to remove a bed base dumped in Junction Place.
London Street
Following contact with the Dickens Inn in London Street, we asked the Waste Team to investigate this issue, “Every day we find rubbish dumped all over the pavement of our outside wall, belonging to the apartments next to us. This is turning into an unpleasant and frustrating situation as all the rubbish is attracting mice,” says the pub manager.
The Waste Team say, “It seems that residents living in the mews have brought their own bins and probably think they’re being helpful by leaving them outside the pub close to where the collection vehicle pulls up. We’re going to write to the residents asking them to only leave the bins directly outside their own property and also instruct the collection crew to always return them to the same location.”
Edgware Road area
Edgware Road
We asked TfL to remove a redundant pole on Edgware Road following a request from a resident, “When TfL moved the ULEZ zone out to outer London they left this at the end of my street. It used to have the ULEZ sign on it. I was told by Tfl that it is indeed not required but I have had no luck in actioning its removal. These pointless things are street clutter and also get in the way sometimes for disabled people.” TfL say, “There is an order in for its removal”.
We asked TfL to repair a damaged signpost outside 145 Edgware Road. TfL say they will arrange the repair.
We also asked the City Inspectors to contact the business at 210 Edgware Road to ask they repair their broken canopy. The City Inspectors say, “The business is aware and are making arrangements to have it replaced. They could not do this sooner as they had to liaise with LYCA mobile, who are advertisers on the canopy. They will ensure this is structurally safe to be in situ for the time being.”
Voug, 45-49 Edgware Road
We are continuing to support Connaught Court and other residents who are being inconvenienced daily by the anti-social activities at Voug, 45-49 Edgware Road with problems of rubbish dumping, noise, parking and a general disregard for their neighbours. We asked the Council’s City Inspectors and Environmental Health Team to take action to stop the anti-social activities.
The Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Chapel Street
Following our enquiries with the City Inspectors about rubbish dumped on the pavement by residents of Tigris House, on the corner of Chapel Street and Edgware Road, the managing agent of the block has written to residents to say:
“We have received an official complaint from the City of Westminster Council that household waste was not placed into the allocated bin room on the street level next to the main door to the building and left on the pavements. We have arranged the keys for access to the bin room and passed them to all tenants. Additionally, there are notices in the lift and in the lobby remaining the waste disposal place.”
Old Marylebone Road
We have asked TfL to remove the graffiti from Griffith House on Old Marylebone Road.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
The future of the canal network
A Government announcement about the funding of the UK’s canals has put the future of the canal network at risk, including Paddington Basin, the Grand Union and the Regent’s Canals. We live in a densely populated area that needs access to nature. The government seems bent on another act of environmental vandalism instead. Find out more at https://ow.ly/TLX750P7xJu
Dudley House
Following requests from residents we asked Pinnacle Housing to investigate concerns about mice infestation in the external parts of Dudley House, including balconies and the basement area.
Brunel Building
We again asked Derwent when the long-awaited repairs will be undertaken to the sprinkler system. Dudley House residents say, “how much longer are we going to be subjected to this noise every single week? It’s months since Derwent promised this would be resolved and yet here we are in July – more time at home, more time to have the doors and windows open and yet we can’t with this racket.”
Sheldon Square
We asked the Licensing Team to take action to stop the late evening drinking outside the restaurants and bars in Sheldon Square which has been disturbing the residents in the flats above.
5 Harbet Road
We contacted Octavia Housing about the service charge increase at 5 Harbet Road and asked if anything be done to review the service charge increase to acknowledge the financial pressures on residents during the cost-of-living crisis.
We also asked Octavia to clear the 9th floor grassed area of the debris that has gathered over recent months.
Tanner Lane
We have asked the Highways Team to review the traffic signs on the pavement on Tanner Lane to see if they are still required, and if so, to replace them with smaller signs so that pedestrians are not obstructed. The Highways Team say, “We have asked for the ‘traffic lights ahead’ sign on Tanner Lane to be repositioned to improve pedestrian access.”
Eastbourne Terrace
A revised Servicing Management Plan and Operational Management Plan for the hotel and restaurant uses at 40 Eastbourne Terrace has been submitted to the Council and you can see the revised plans and make comments online at www.westminster.gov.uk/planning Please use the reference number 22/01773/ADFULL.
End our Cladding Scandal
The Campaign Group, ‘End our Cladding Scandal’ say.
“Over a year after the Government’s leaseholder protections came into force, too many ordinary people are still trapped and still no closer to being able to move on with their lives. The protections have also ruled out too many leaseholders from help, despite all being equally as blameless for this collective state and industry failure.
Alongside our sister campaign group, the Non-Qualifying Leaseholders, we have written to Michael Gove with Five Asks and this letter is available on our website https://endourcladdingscandal.org/category/posts/”