HILLTOP ROAD DEVELOPMENT CAMPAIGN- TIME TO OBJECT
Property speculators are targeting N. 5 and 7 Hilltop Road as a development site once more.
The developers want to extend this property as part of their plan to turn it into a multi-occupancy.
To that effect, they have submitted two new applications, Nos 2013/7792/P and 2013/7801/P.
The developers are trying to get these applications approved as part of their permitted development rights. Local residents in the WHGARA are opposed to this and the local Conservative team support residents in their objections.
West Hampstead is already under stress from over-development with parking and local services put under pressure. This proposed development will also threaten the small green lung formed by the Victorian gardens along the back of St James Church, St James’ Mansions and West End Lane, degrading local environment even further.
If you share in these concerns, please write to Camden Council to register your objection. Points which can be highlighted in the objection are the following:
1. The extensions involve building to the side of the rear wall ‘steps’ of each house and the owner proposes to construct extensions which are wider than half the total width of each of the existing houses. This means it is too wide and therefore not permitted. (As you are aware, the extension as a whole cannot be wider than 50% of the total width of the house.)
2. At each house the extensions will involve the removal or alteration of one or more chimneys, flues and/or soil and vent pipes. (These are not shown on his drawings at all as they ought to have been, but they exist and are in the way of what he proposes to build.) This requires full planning permission - which he has not applied for.
3. The proposals show nothing at all about the materials which the owner proposes to use for the exterior. Given the past history when he simply ignored what was permitted development and then appealed (at great public expense) against each demolition order, the certificate should be refused because he has not shown at all how he proposes to comply with the requirements over appearance.
You can either write to Camden’s planning officer at this address: Jenna Litherland, Development Control, Regeneration and Planning Culture and Environment, London Borough of Camden, Argyle Street, London WC1H 8ND. Or you can go to Camden Council’s website, www.camden.gov.uk and under the Environment tab, search for the two planning applications and register your objections online. Use your own words and if there are other points you wish to add, please do so.
Objections have to be in by the 10th of January. Don’t delay in registering your objections. Let’s fight to retain West Hampstead as a community.
Your West Hampstead and Fortune Green Conservative Team
Andrew Saywell- Natalie Eliades- Ed De Mesquita- Ian Cohen- Tom Smith- Andrew Parkinson