Appeal: 100 Avenue Road
As you will all remember that last September after a strong local campaign, we were thrilled to annouce that Camden’s Planning Committee had rejected Essential Living’s planning application to build a 24-storey tower alongside the Swiss Cottage open space. It was so disappointing to hear, just a few months later, that the developer was choosing to ignore local people’s views and had decided to appeal the decision.
The Public Inquiry starts next week at 10am on Tuesday, 14th July 2015. The first two days will be held at the British Medical Association (BMA) House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP. The hearing is scheduled to last 8 days and you may attend if you wish and, at the discretion of the Inspector, give your views.
We would all really welcome the support of local people in defending our community against Essential Living’s plans, so do please come along if you can.
Essential Living has hired an expensive and strong legal team to try to undermine the planning committee’s decision. And Camden Council has also appointed a barrister to defend the refusal, focusing on the two principal reasons that were given at committee. In addition, the Belsize Residents’ Association (BRA) and several other local groups have been granted Rule 6 status and will also put forward their case, highlighting the concerns and views of local residents and the impact on our unique conservation areas.
We’d like to acknowledge the extraordinary hard work that has been put into this campaign by local residents, the BRA and Camden council. It is so important that we remain united as a community and work together over the coming fortnight to safeguard this area that we all love so much.
Sir Richard Steele Pub
Jonny attended the appeal made by Faucet Inn against the Planning Committee's decision to refuse planning consent for an application to turn part of this pub into residential units. He shared the concerns that local people feel about losing this much-valued community space. The appeal against listing the pub as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) will take place later this month.
Community Street Parties
We are being contacted by residents from all across Camden about the enormous increase in the cost and bureaucracy of holding an event in their street or neighbourhood. We are supporting people to fight these changes, as we know just how important these events are for building community cohesion, for supporting local businesses in Camden and for bringing a bit of fun back into everyday life.
Neighbourhood Planning
We are watching with interest to see the results of the Referendum (being held this Thursday, 9th July 2015) on the Fortune Green & West Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan. You may remember hearing about Neighbourhood Development Forums from James Earle at our AAG on neighbourhood planning. Over the summer, we will be meeting with residents and local groups again, to set up our own Belsize NDF committee.
Our Belsize Area Action Group
We held a successful Area Action Group last month, hearing from Camden staff about changes to waste and recycling. Local police popped by to reassure residents and to talk through some of the concerning local incidents that had been reported in the press. Here are the minutes from the meeting: Minutes_Belsize AAG 24.06.2015
All the best,
Claire-Louise, Jonny and Leila
Our ‘surgeries’ offer residents the opportunity to drop by and speak to us about issues or concerns. We'll also be offering a 'roving' street surgery for residents in different parts of the ward, so call us if you'd like to arrange this!
Cllr Claire-Louise Leyland
M: 07798846240
[email protected]
Cllr Jonny Bucknell
M: 07941028088
[email protected]
Cllr Leila Roy
M: 07467338854
[email protected]
You can come and speak to us:-
- on the first Monday of the month from 5.30-6.30pm at Belsize Community Library, Antrim Road NW3 4XN;
- on the third Friday of the month from 9.30-10.30am at Blashford TRA Hall, Adelaide Road London NW3 3RX and Burnham TRA Hall, Fellow's Road, NW3 3JR;
- on the first Saturday of the month from 10.30-12.00pm, we'll have our street stall outside 44 England's Lane, NW3 4UE.
Promoted by David Douglas on behalf of Camden Conservatives, all at 1a Heath Hurst Road, NW3 2RU