February and March 2007
Planning
Your local Abingdon Ward councillors have been concentrating on Planning. As you will know from previous months, the major issue for many residents has been the proposed development at 100 Warwick Road, “Tesco Towers”. This is a development by Multiplex and both Tescos and the Borough have an interest in this site.
Although your councillors all objected, this scheme was passed in principle by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Major Planning Committee. However there have been several meetings with residents groups and the Planning Department at the Borough with regard to the community facilities and the "106 agreement" with the developers.
In addition there are plans for the other sites in Warwick Road - the old petrol station, the BT building, the TA centre and Charles House. We are extremely determined as Councillors to ensure that these are not developed piecemeal and there should be a proper planning brief for this area.
We have been working with ESSA (the Edwardes Square Residents Association) the Kensington Society and other interested residents about the development of Warwick Road. We would welcome input from residents who will be affected by these developments. Cllr.borwick@rbkc.gov.uk.
Odeon Cinema
The developers, Northacre have been meeting local residents and your councillors regularly and have made improvements to their scheme, including reducing the height of the scheme and the overlooking and views from all sides that would affect residents. They will be holding further consultation with residents, so if you are interested in knowing about the Odeon scheme, contact Nick Sutcliffe: nsutcliffe@apcoworldwide.com
Policing Update
The next Police and Community Working Group is due to be held on 14th March at 6.30pm at the K&K Hotel George, Templeton Place SW5 9NB, which is just off the Earls Court Road. All are welcome to attend. If you run a residents association and would like to meet our local community support police officers, they would be happy to attend your residents meeting, and answer resident's questions.
If you would like to contact our local Sergeant Don Casey, here are the details:
Don Casey PS 97BS
Metropolitan Police
Kensington and Chelsea
Phone: 07920 233803
E-mail: Don.Casey@met.police.uk
Post: Sergeant Don Casey
Abingdon Ward Safer Neighbourhoods Team
Kensington Police Station
72 - 74 Earls Court Rd
London W8 6EQ
Litter and Rubbish Collection
A number of residents have again raised the problems of rubbish collection and bin bags strewn across the pavements, particularly in Cheniston Gardens. If you have a problem in your block or street please let me know. Cllr.borwick@rbkc.gov.uk
Devonshire Arms
Residents nearby have been meeting with the landlord and manager of this pub to reduce their list of complaints - principally the timing of the rubbish collection, street drinking and general noise from the pub. Please let me know if you have problems with your local pub as by working with the licensee and environmental health these can usually be addressed or reduced. Cllr.borwick@rbkc.gov.uk
Commonwealth Institute
Unfortunately this building is reportedly occupied by squatters. The building is owned by the Commonwealth Countries who are obviously keen to ensure that it sells for a high price as this is then shared between the owners. However as the building is currently “listed”, it puts off some who may wish to re-develop the site. There is a suggestion that the current owners are not maintaining the building properly, so that it can be “de-listed” which would probably increase its market value. We shall await developments over the next few months.
Sloane Square
You may also have seen coverage of the various plans for Sloane Square. The Council wish to remodel this on a crossroads, which would also change some traffic flows and access to local streets. The local residents have a campaign for renovation. See: SSS Save Sloane Square Home Page, which has both options.
Conservative Party, Spring Forum in Nottingham
I am off to Nottingham for the Spring Forum to hear the shadow cabinet and an update on Cameron's policy groups, let's hope that we get some good coverage and policies for the elections in May. No elections in London this year - May 2008, is our next chance.
Contact me
Click here to email me
