HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – October 2024
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 very busy month right across the ward.
Rachel Blake MP led a House of Commons debate on Short-Term Lets on 12th September and you can read the debate here https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-09-12/debates/86995C15-B73A-4469-8FE6-F07285F4B710/Short-TermLetsRegulation
We met with the Paddington Partnership Team to discuss their plans to transform the organisation into the Grand Union BID https://www.thisispaddington.com/article/grand-union-bid-proposal
Following the Mayor’s announcement of Oxford Street proposals, the Leader of Westminster City Council has written to the Deputy Prime Minister and Mayor of London setting out our 10 key areas of concern. We believe that these important questions should be satisfactorily answered before any new arrangements are put in place in order to safeguard local residents, local businesses, shoppers and visitors.
We held a further meeting with the Short-Term Lettings Team and the Church Commissioners and West End Quay on 27th September to discuss progress on reducing the number of Short Term Lets. West End Quay has seen a big reduction in short-term lettings through the introduction of a new entry fob system which incorporates facial recognition and cannot be cloned.
We also attended the opening of the new accessible ticket hall at Paddington station on 27th September. The two new lifts give Bakerloo line passengers a direct step-free route from street to platform.
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 advice surgery will be on Thursday 7th November, 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 Church Commissioners Appeal against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the plans to build two houses in the Devonport Garden has been dismissed by a Planning Inspector who said,
“I have already identified the benefits of the proposal through an assessment of public benefits in undertaking the necessary balancing exercise in relation to the heritage asset. In terms of harm, the proposal would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area, in conflict with the development plan and this would be of greater significance so the appeal scheme would not accord with the development plan, when considered as a whole. For the reasons given above, the appeal should be dismissed.”
We supported residents’ objections to the proposed ‘bunker’ and are delighted at the Planning Inspector’s decision. Residents say, “Thank you so much for all your help and support”, “Thanks for your kind assistance with this”, “I want to thank you for your support. It is Great News”, and “very many thanks for all your work on our behalf.”
Burwood Place
We asked the Police to do extra patrols in Burwood Place following concerns raised by Water Gardens residents about large numbers of people congregating in the area at night. The Police say, “There have been some stop and searches conducted at the site and patrols are ongoing.”
In addition, the Council has installed a CCTV camera in Burwood Place which is monitored 24/7 and will provide evidence that can be used to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
We also asked the Highways Team to fix a broken kerb along Burwood Place and asked the Parking Team to investigate pavement parking by Barclay’s Bank.
Park West Place
We asked the Trees Team if a replacement tree can be planted in Park West Place as the current tree does not appear in good health. The Trees Team say, “A replacement tree is on the list for planting later in the autumn. The soil will be changed and a watering bag installed so that the tree can be irrigated through the summer months.”
Hyde Park Street
Hyde Park Street has been included within the highway buildouts programme as the street has currently no street trees, the parking occupancy is below the 80% threshold and there are no adverse implications for heritage architecture. Consultants have been appointed to carry out basement surveys as part of the feasibility study.
Sussex Square
Following reports from residents in Sussex Square about anti-social behaviour, we asked the police and City Inspectors to increase their patrols in the area.
Bathurst Mews
We asked the Planning Enforcement Team to investigate building works at a property in Bathurst Mews.
Porchester Place
We asked the Parking Team to remove a dumped and vandalised car in Porchester Place.
Kendal Street
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate the Kendal Street Car Wash where cars that use the car wash are regularly blocking the pavement for pedestrians, parking and idling outside permitted areas along the street and making unnecessary noise.
We also asked the Highways Team to fix a loose utilities cover on Kendal Street which makes a loud noise whenever a car passes over it.
Connaught Village Green
Work on creating Connaught Village Green has started. The scheme includes road narrowing and a raised table on Connaught Street, wider pavements, tree planting, new seating and cycle stands. Also, the crossing from the Duke of Kendal will be narrowed to make it easier for pedestrians to cross, with a raised table to slow down traffic entering and leaving Kendal Street.
See https://connaughtvillagegreen.commonplace.is/ for the phasing plan, scheme drawing, FAQs and contact email.
Park Lane
TfL have updated us as follows: “A number of individuals have now accepted offers of support and/or have moved from the location, however the large encampment remains. The situation is fluid with different rough sleepers coming and going, and we remain concerned about the health and safety of the rough sleepers. We have now obtained a writ of possession for the central reservation. We are working through the next steps with partners.”
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.
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Star Street
We asked the Planning Enforcement Team to investigate the shopfront 38 Star Street which residents say, “includes fake flowers attached to the building railings, misspelled and brightly coloured signs that are partially falling down, and a glowing LED sign.”
This is a particular concern as 34-40 Star Street are Listed Buildings https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1236685
Praed Street
We urged TfL to investigate the temporary traffic light sequence along Praed Street following long traffic tail backs stretching into Eastbourne Terrace.
We also asked the E-Bikes Team to tell the operators to remove excess bikes from the bay outside Tesco so that individual cyclists have room to park their bikes by the bike stands.
Sussex Gardens/Norfolk Place
We asked the Rough Sleeping Team to help a rough sleeper on the corner of Sussex Gardens and Norfolk Place.
Sussex Gardens
We continue to support residents in Radnor Mews objecting to proposals for the rear extension of a hotel on Sussex Gardens.
St Mary’s Hospital
A shortlist of architects for The Fleming Centre at St Mary’s Hospital has been announced. The Centre is due to open in 2028, to mark the centenary of the discovery of penicillin at the hospital by Sir Alexander Fleming. It will be the first new building to open as part of a full redevelopment of St Mary’s.
Edgware Road
Edgware Road/Sussex Gardens
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate ways of stopping the pigeon feeding by the tree at the corner of Edgware Road and Sussex Gardens. Residents say, “I’ve twice politely pointed out the sign to pigeon feeders, but it isn’t worth my saying anything from the reactions I got from the bird feeders. They have whole loaves, bags of rice etc.”
The Council continues to regularly jet wash the pavement.
Edgware Road/Kendal Street
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate the early morning construction work at the former bank at the corner of Edgware Road and Kendal Street. Residents say;
“For the last 3 days we have been woken up shortly after 6am by loud noises, as the contractors continue to strip out these premises for the new restaurant. Large chunks of masonry are being removed and loaded into a truck. The work continues for anywhere between 30-60 minutes.”
Edgware Road/Seymour Street
We asked the City Inspectors to tell the café owners at the corner of Edgware Road and Seymour Street to remove their advertising board which is causing an obstruction on the pavement.
Cambridge Court
We asked the Short-Term Lets Team to investigate flats in Cambridge Court which are suspected of being illegal Airbnb short term lets.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Informal zebra crossings
The Council has launched a consultation on plans for informal zebra crossings in Cabbell, Transept and Chapel Streets.
This follows changes to Rule H2 of the Highway Code in 2022, “Wait for the pedestrian to cross the junction before turning. This applies if you are turning right or left into and out of the junction.” It is further explained that, at a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning. As it is believed that many road users may be unaware of this guidance, the Council is trialling the informal zebra crossings at side road crossings, including;
- Chapel Street/Transept Street
- Chapel Street/Cabbell Street (North – outside Edgware Road station)
- Chapel Street /Cabbell Street (South)
We hope this will improve pedestrian safety for residents in Hyde Park Mansions and Oxford & Cambridge Mansions. One resident says, “this is the best news – had a close call at junction of Chapel Street and Transept Street. I do so hope they are given the go ahead.”
Cabbell and Transept Streets
We asked the City Inspectors to contact the Managers of Hyde Park Mansions and Oxford & Cambridge Mansions to discuss ways of improving the daily refuse collection arrangements.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Travis Perkins site, 149 Harrow Road, W2 6NA
Over 100 objections have been made to the planning application for the demolition of the existing Travis Perkins building and new buildings up to 20 storeys in height, comprising the reprovision of Travis Perkins builders’ merchant and 605 rooms of student accommodation above.
We have submitted our objections https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/planning/2024/06/21/labour-supports-residents-objections-to-baltic-wharf-overdevelopment/
The application documents can be viewed online at www.westminster.gov.uk/planning where you can also make comments. Please use the reference number 24/03600/FULL as the primary search criteria.
Dahlia House
We continue to work closely with the Short Term Lets Team to tackle the many illegal short-term lets in Dahlia House. MyLondon has undertaken an investigation of the situation at Dahlia House
Bishop’s Bridge
Bishop’s Bridge has new information panels with details of the history of Paddington Station and the Grand Union Canal.
https://www.thisispaddington.com/article/bishops-bridge-road-parapet-panels
We are also making enquiries about the lift from Bishop’s Bridge down to the canal by the Brunel building. Residents say, “It continues to be out of use, sometimes because it is often ‘out of order’ and has been taking place on and off for months/years.” We have been told, “the lift is awaiting a failed part replacement which is taking some time.”
North Wharf Road
The Council is planning to locate a cycle hangar on the east side of North Wharf Road, outside the entrance to Dudley House.
Hermitage Street
We asked Veolia to review their use of Hermitage Street for waiting refuse vehicles after receiving concerns from residents:
“We have been concerned about the many rubbish trucks that use Hermitage Street and the corner of Harrow Road as a holding/parking depot. There is considerable noise pollution, directly outside residents’ homes, from the early hours and much of the day, due to the loud vehicle reversing warning sounds and reversing lights.”
Veolia say, “We have some vehicles that come to the depot in the morning to collect the loaders and come back again around 1pm to drop off the loaders. I have asked for this current practice to be reviewed to avoid such prolonged parking around this area.”
5 Kingdom Street
Following our enquiries about progress in delivering the micro logistics hub in the basement area of 5 Kingdom Street, British Land say, “We are still committed to urban logistics and bringing this site forward as a ‘last mile’ low carbon hub. Discussions with potential operators are ongoing and we hope to update you further in the coming weeks.”
E-bikes
We have asked the E-bike Team to investigate concerns raised by residents about the parking bays on the corner of Hermitage Street and North Wharf Road outside Heist; on the middle section of the zebra crossing on Bishops Bridge Road as it meets Bishops Bridge roundabout, and on the Bridge corner as it meets North Wharf Road. The E-Bike Team say, “The operators are looking into improving parking compliance especially on Bishop’s Bridge Road/North Wharf Road junction. We will ensure the wider North Wharf Road area is escalated to operators.”
We also told Lime to remove an e-bike blocking the pavement by the bus stop on Marylebone Road, by Edgware Road Station, and fine the rider.