NEWSLETTER: OCTOBER UPDATE
October 13th 2020
Dear Members and Supporters,
Before updating you on other news, we would you like to seek your views on:
1. The Government consultation on its White Paper “planning for the future" : click here
2. The related RBKC consultation on their draft New Local Plan: click here
These close on October 29th and November 10th respectively.
RBKC have released their initial response to the White Paper:
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/howwegovern/keydecisions/decision.aspx?DecisionID=5733
They have highlighted some key issues and are requesting feedback by 9am Monday 26th October via governance@rbkc.gov.uk. Please copy us in at hillgatevillage@outlook.com and we can include any points made in our formal response.
We are liaising with CHRA and the Pembridge Association and hope also to connect with other residents’ associations in the borough to calibrate our responses. We would welcome our members’ views, particularly on the issues outlined below.
Government White Paper
Fierce opposition is already building to the Government’s new ‘Planning for the Future’ proposals, which would replace the current planning regime with a zoning system. It is feared that these plans could hand over power to private developers, take away all semblance of local consultation on applications and further undermine the scope to build social and affordable homes for rent.
There has been widespread criticism from organisations ranging from The Local Government Association, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Greenpeace and the Royal Institute of British Architects. The RIBA described the plans as “shameful” and said they would do “almost nothing to guarantee the delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes”. “While they might help to ‘get Britain building’ – paired with the extension of permitted development rights last week – there’s every chance they could also lead to the development of the next generation of slum housing”. Even the Westminster Property Association, which represents developers and investors, has questioned whether the plans follow the principles of Good Growth, respond to local needs or deliver meaningful community benefits.
HVRA is considering the proposals in detail and will lodge a timely response, broadly supporting the London Forum’s views (see below), while adding points of special relevance to our area.
*We would request any comments/suggestions you may have by Monday 19th October.
Summary
The stated aim of the White Paper is to simplify and introduce greater certainty in the planning process, thereby reducing delays in bringing forward development sites and new housing. The proposals seek to designate areas on the map into three categories: Growth, Renewal and Protection. Detailed pattern books and design codes could be drawn up by local communities; permission would be automatically granted for developments which fall within those patterns. While heavy reliance would be placed on local community involvement in those early stages, there would be no right for residents to comment on individual applications - nor would there be any right of appeal for objectors.
The current planning system allows for residents and local groups to air their views on each individual development proposed for their neighbourhood – and there is a duty to take these into account. Under the new regime, new buildings which comply with a pre-agreed template of design standards would get automatic approval, no matter what the impact on local residents, except in a few ‘protected’ areas.
RBK&C residents have had the chance to comment on the new London Plan, local neighbourhood plans, regeneration proposals and many other initiatives but, quite understandably, most people don’t have time to get involved unless they are directly affected. The new system allows for democratic involvement only at the initial stage of drawing up detailed local plans, with every possible eventuality to be thought through and agreed in advance.
The details of these proposals have raised concerns that developers will be given free rein, and this has already stirred strong opposition among many Conservative MPs. For example, Harriet Baldwin (West Worcestershire) said in Parliament recently that the government was “concreting down rather than levelling up’”.
In London there is unease that the new system could threaten more towers in inappropriate locations such as Notting Hill Gate, which is regrettably outside the relatively protected Conservation Areas by which it is flanked. The imposition of deemed outline planning permission in “growth areas” would reduce the controls which are currently held by elected local authorities; new development may have much reduced benefit to the local community.
The ultimate success of the Newcombe tower application illustrated that the current system is already heavily weighted towards developers, overriding hard won policies on height restrictions. It looks likely that the White Paper proposals will only exacerbate this problem.
The White Paper is short on references to height restrictions, and shows no sign of restraining the GLA’s “Opportunity Areas” in which development already tends to be characterised by high towers. The development of a strong Local Plan will be key to ensuring developments brought forward are suitable for their context; no doubt this will rely on extensive input from residents’ associations and other local bodies. If a planning application accords with the Local Plan it will be determined by officers; the decision on developments which conflict with established local design codes will be made by a planning committee.
The current planning system requires developments to make provision for affordable housing. Under the new proposals, however, developments of under 50 units would not have to make any contribution to affordable housing. RBK&C will be given legally binding home building targets but no requirement that any of these should be affordable – and there is no mention of social housing anywhere in the document.
The proposals are designed to build on the findings of the highly publicised government “Building better, building beautiful” report, earlier this year. That report presses for early engagement, more co-design and community-led development and to allow “intensification with consent”. The emphasis of the report is on design codes and simple, visual, form-based codes to make building better but also easier and more predictable. Nicholas Boys Smith, Director of not-for-profit Create Streets chaired the Beauty Commission and was a member of the small White Paper task force:
“We need to turn our planning system round, from its existing role as a shield against the worst, to its future role as a champion of the best.”
Another leading member of the task force was Chris Katkowski QC – the same lawyer who acted for Brockton in last November’s Newcombe Inquiry. Katkowski is known for successfully representing the developers in planning disputes over the Heron Tower in the City of London, the Shard and the Paddington Cube.
The question we must consider is whether the simplified planning system will exercise sufficient control over inappropriate development and whether the result is likely to deliver the Beauty Commission vision of human-scale developments and beautiful settings in which to live and work.
The London Forum Response to the White Paper
Following their White Paper webinar, in which the same Chris Katkowski QC outlined the proposals set out in the White Paper, the Forum lodged its own response here.
Crucially, the Forum response highlights that the increase in annual housing targets for RBKC is 633% - the highest for any London Borough. Incidentally, that does not necessarily indicate such a rise in genuinely affordable housing; merely a potential increase in the overhang of “buy to leave” developments.
The Forum website also has this helpful 10 page “explainer” on the White Paper. Further detail can be foundhere.
RBK&C New Local Plan consultation
In response to Harriet Baldwin (quoted above) Boris Johnson said that No 10 wanted “to give young people the chance of home ownership ‘for the first time in a generation’ “. (Times report, October 5).
Our particular concern is how this will play out – regardless of the upshot on the White Paper – in the proposed RBK&C New Local Plan, which includes “Opportunity Areas” at the Kensal end of Ladbroke Grove, and in Earls Court; but as indicated in a letter from the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick (linked below), there is clearly also a threat around any station, including Notting Hill Gate.
The White Paper envisages that in “growth areas” the new Local Plan would act as an initial grant of planning permission. If this is implemented, the new RBKC local plan would have huge importance - particularly as a “growth area” could be of any size; for example, a “gap area“ such as Notting Hill Gate, lying between conservation areas.
A key letter from Jenrick, dated March 2020, berates the Mayor, Sadiq Khan for failure to deliver adequate housing levels, year-on-year. An ominous statement advocates “actively encouraging appropriate density, including optimising new capacity above and around stations”. This suggests a “Reach for the Sky” for property near any station, regardless of local height policy; clearly a further risk at Notting Hill Gate.
We are preparing a full draft response to the RBK&C 58 page consultation, based on the aim in our Constitution “to protect and preserve the unique character and environment of the conservation area in which Hillgate Village is located”.
Further detail can be foundhere.
*Please send HVRA any comments you have before November 3rd.
In other news: Newcombe House
After many years of representing residents in their opposition to the plans for the development of Newcombe House, HVRA was deeply disappointed that the Inspector recommended that planning permission should be granted, and that this recommendation was accepted by the Secretary of State. However, having taken legal advice, HVRA concluded that there was no scope to challenge the decision by way of judicial review.
We do not yet have any firm information as to the impact of the Covid-related issues in the property market, but we believe Brockton are already attempting to sell the project with the benefit of the recent permission.
If the development commences we will monitor the construction closely, with the aim of limiting the impact on residents.
Cycling issues
RBKC are proceeding with the “pop-up cycle lanes“ in each direction on Kensington High Street, and construction has already started. It appears that CS10 is on hold, but we will continue to monitor this through the SOS liaison group. (SOS10.co.uk)
Ruby Hotel (Frogmore)
We received a newsletter advising they will shortly begin preliminary works to the rear of the old M&S. The passageway by the mural will remain closed for about 4 weeks while that is carried out. (The mural will be preserved and restored). We expect demolition around the end of the year.
Coronet Theatre
We are pleased to see the current refurbishment works, and that a statue will be placed on the dome - though not the “Winged Mercury” which previously adorned it.
Licensing matters
One of our members kindly alerted HVRA to the excessive licensing application for the premises in Uxbridge Street, formerly the Malabar restaurant, and we lodged a suitable objection. The application has since been amended to reflect more acceptable hours, with restrictive conditions.
A number of premises in RBK&C have sought to exploit the current crisis by obtaining unusually long hours; “Dirty Bones” in the Church Street was another recent example. If any of you note any other such applications, please alert the committee. Once longer licensing hours are permitted, it is difficult to get them reduced.
Some light relief!
You may enjoy the Kensington & Chelsea Art Week walking trail https://www.kcaw.co.uk/kcaw20-public-art-trail
Newsletter: Local residents poked in the Eye
Monday 3rd August 2020
Dear Members and Supporters,
In our newsflash at the end of June we advised you that regrettably the Secretary of State (SoS), Robert Jenrick, had approved the Newcombe House proposal. He endorsed the planning inspector’s recommendation, despite criticism from RBK&C's Architectural Appraisal Panel, the breach of the Council’s guidance on height, the impact on surrounding conservation areas - and especially the Village - and the general backlash against tower blocks and “buy to leave“ properties.
Over 1000 residents signed an online petition against the plans, and more than 800 – a record – submitted individual objections to the RBKC website. The strength of local feeling was also underlined when many of you attended the RBKC planning hearings, the Mayor's hearing at City Hall and the second Public enquiry last November. Thanks again to those who came to demonstrate support on those occasions, as well as for your generous donations and other backing since the formation of HVRA in 2016.
We have had significant assistance from neighbouring residents’ associations SEBRA, BRA, CHRA and the Pembridge Association. RBK&C Cllr Quentin Marshall and our Ward Councillor Robert Freeman devoted considerable time and energies to our cause. We have also been fortunate to benefit from cross-party support by our outgoing and incoming MPs, Emma Dent Coad and Felicity Buchan, both of whom committed to representing the interests of the community.
We were astonished to learn from the inspector's report that she believed “the quality of the architecture and design of the scheme is exemplary“, envisaging it as a “landmark“, creating a new urban Quarter which “could be described as a mini bit of City“ in Notting Hill. Alas, the SoS chose not to question the inspector’s recommendation for approval. We have taken legal advice and while there is a 6 week period for appeal it appears this may be the end of the road from the legal standpoint.
We had hoped that Robert Jenrick’s warm words in support of the government’s own much publicised “Building better, Building beautiful“ report earlier this year might lead him to reject the proposal. Thanks to generous financial support from many of you, we had been able to counter the developers’ diminished representations of the scale of the development with more accurate and realistic images. The planning inspector and the SoS had been left in no doubt over the strength of local feeling against the plans. The SoS’ decision to permit these designs, with such devastating local impact, is particularly disappointing at a time when businesses and individuals are re-evaluating their accommodation requirements. It would be sad for Notting Hill to be scarred forever by a short-term “Build, Build, Build” agenda.
Our dismay at this outcome is summed up by the Skyline Campaign’s Barbara Weiss, who said:
“This embarrassing scheme has been rejected over and over again; so it is a total disgrace that it should have been recommended for approval by the inspector who was briefed in great detail as to why this went against all planning policies and local advice.
"Since its first conception it was branded as architecturally mediocre by the Council's own Design Review Panel. Not only does building this crass and clumsy tower add nothing to the character and identity of Notting Hill, it perpetuates the gross planning mistake already embodied in the original Newcombe house – a structure far too tall for its context, but – unlike the new Newcombe house – that nevertheless has some architectural quality.
"The proposed building will be seen from all the local conservation areas, a sad reminder of financial greed and of the architecturally illiterate custodians of London’s future, who are currently accelerating their “race to the bottom“, competing in terms of how much of our city’s heritage can be destroyed as quickly as possible. When will this end? Maybe the pandemic will at least stop these follies.”
As discussed at our last AGM and the 2nd Inquiry, Brockton have already tried to sell the project. It remains to be seen if and when any owner will actually break ground. The decision includes 10 pages of technical conditions. We will monitor these as closely as we can, in an effort to minimise the pollution, disturbance and disruption if the demolition proceeds. You are no doubt aware that HVRA have always advocated refurbishment and partial rebuild as a more eco and resident-friendly option.
With all property sectors now hit by the ongoing crisis, we doubt demolition will be swift. If the owners are going to perpetrate what Simon Jenkins so aptly described as a “poke in the eye of residents”, it may take them years to deliver the blow.
Note: In addition to Simon Jenkins’ "Short History of London", there is further interesting background on the issues which lie behind this type of development in Bob Colenutt's recent book "The Property Lobby" and Anna Minton’s “Big Capital”:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Property-Lobby-Hidden-Reality-Housing/dp/1447348168
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Capital-London-Anna-Minton/dp/0141984996/ref=sr_1_1?, =1&keywords=anna+minton&qid=1594833094&s=books&sr=1-1
Cycle Lanes
We remain active In the SOS group (sos10.co.uk) fighting the inappropriate proposal for Holland Park Avenue. That is on hold for the moment, as everybody is concentrating on immediate measures to help with the easing of lockdown.
RBKC - in addition to progressing its “quiet ways“ proposals - is planning temporary “pop-up” cycle lanes along Kensington High Street to continue the existing route from Hammersmith to Olympia along to Kensington Gardens and points East. This was discussed in a recent RBKC consultative concall, and RBKC is in discussions with TfL and other stakeholders.
Unlike the Holland Park Avenue “CS10” proposal, this would be separate east and west lanes on each side of the High Street, marked by wands. One of the main topics in the call was the provision of alternative loading bays to supply shops which lack rear access.
RBKC is also taking a close interest in the e-scooter pilot, and there is also “Gear Change – a bold vision for cycling and walking” the initiative issued on July 28th by the DoT, which is seen as more for the medium term. (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904146/gear-change-a-bold-vision-for-cycling-and-walking.pdf )
High Streets and London Forum
In a somewhat related initiative, on July 30th we attended the 5th London Forum zoom meeting, on the future of high streets in London. This will be summarised in a note on their website shortly - see londonforum.org.uk .
It was attended by about 40 RAs, and addressed by Ian Taylor of Civic Voice and Emma Robinson, town centre manager for Barnes. Ian Taylor’s presentation noted the importance of local involvement in planning matters, and the maintenance of conservation areas.
In her introduction, the Chair (Clare Birks, Bermondsey RA) noted that the UK has twice as much retail space as Germany, and that footfall in London’s West End is currently about 25% of normal. In the Q&A there was much discussion of Business Improvement Districts, and how to engage local communities more effectively in the future of high streets. We will follow this issue over the coming months, and keep you updated.
The Forum website has a wealth of information on the wide range of issues they cover, and includes a link to an article on the government’s controversial “New Deal” for planning
We are pleased to maintain HVRA’s Forum membership, and one of our committee is an individual member. We would encourage other HVRA members to consider joining up (as well as renewing your HVRA membership, if you have not got around to that this year).
AGM Deferral: Email contact
In view of the ongoing crisis we are still not ready to schedule a physical AGM, but if you have any questions or comments on any of these topics (or others) please mail Hillgatevillage@outlook.com - which is regularly monitored - and we will do our best to respond.
NEWSLETTER: COVID-19 LOCKDOWN UPDATE
17th April
Dear Residents,
We hope this email finds you safe and well. A quick update on some of the information in our last newsletter - volunteering, sources of help and how to support our local businesses. Please remember that staying at home is just as important now as it was at the beginning of the lockdown, otherwise the sacrifices so many are making to help those infected will be in vain.
We hope that you and your families stay safe in the coming weeks.
With best wishes,
The HVRA Committee
Information from the Council
The Council's main page for the situation:
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19
The Borough Emergency Control Centre (BECC) can deal with concerns or questions about local services and issues including support for businesses, and you can email them: covid-19enquiry@rbkc.gov.uk
If you or someone you know is elderly and/or vulnerable and does not have the support of friends or family, you should contact the Covid-19 Hub by email at: C19Hub@rbkc.gov.uk. You can also call their dedicated line on tel: 020 7361 4326.
For local businesses concerned about staff wages and support for their business there is a dedicated website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses or the hotline: 0300 456 3565
Volunteering, donating and helping
IIf you would like to help local housebound residents by shopping, collecting prescriptions etc there is a thriving Coronavirus Support Group of local volunteers. Phone: 020 3287 9928 and leave a message and one of the organisers will respond. Residents who want to register to volunteer can also go to the RBKC website and search www.voluntarywork.org.uk which has been set up by the Volunteer Centre K&C (VCKC) to find out more or directly to registrations@voluntarywork.org.uk
Another active group of volunteers covering the Hillgate Village area has been set up by Mutual Aid UK (you may have seen their leaflet through your letterbox). They are helping 100 families in the area and can be contacted as follows for help or to volunteer:
Website: https://www.kcmutualaid3.co.uk
Email: kcmutualaidzone3@gmail.com
Phone: 020 8144 2774
A number of food banks in the area are asking for donations. These are:
The Westway Trust: http://www.westway.org/covid-19/
Kensington and Chelsea Foodbank: https://kensingtonchelsea.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/
Age UK: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/kensingtonandchelsea/
The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation which supports many smaller local charities has launched a Covid-19 appeal for funds to support the activities of their partner charities to meet the needs of the most vulnerable during the pandemic and to rebuild services in the longer term afterwards. Kensington residents Julia and Hans Rausing have kindly undertaken to match every donation made. You can donate through their website at: https://thekandcfoundation.com/
Sadly, people are trying to exploit the vulnerable through a number of scams - see things to be aware of here:
https://www.kcsc.org.uk/sites/kcsc.org.uk/files/5193%20Coronavirus%20Scam%20Postcard%20V3.pdf
Supporting local businesses
A number of our local shops and restaurants are adapting to the situation by offering home delivery. In some cases this can get you the essentials delivered without the 3-4 weeks' wait for a supermarket delivery slot! Please support our local businesses.
Groceries
Chegworth Valley: Next day fruit and vegetable delivery
https://www.chegworthvalley.com/shop/
Notting Hill Fish Shop: Has expanded to include Natoora fruit and vegetables, Hedone Bakery, HG Walter butchers and Neal's Yard cheeses. Also offering delivery.
https://nottinghillfishshop.co.uk
Provenance Butcher
https://www.provenancebutcher.com/delivery/
Deliveroo: They deliver a limited selection of groceries from small local supermarkets (who knew?!)
https://deliveroo.co.uk
John & Jessie on Peel Street are usually known for their flowers, but have recently started selling fruit, vegetables and bread.
There are a number of stalls trading on the Portobello Market for fruit and vegetables, also Maison Puget is selling bread and patisserie from the front door of their shop (and are also on Deliveroo).
Daylesford Organic is also open and can deliver too: https://www.daylesford.com
Our local supermarkets M&S, Tesco and Waitrose are all open, as is Sainsbury's on Ken Church Street and Whole Foods and the larger M&S on Ken High Street. Supermarket delivery slots now seem to be easier to get in London, even for those who do not fall into the vulnerable categories.
Of course, our much-loved Farmers' Market on Kensington Place is also open on Saturday mornings, with social distancing measures in place.
There are also a lot of home delivery services springing up from wholesalers who need to find markets for their produce. An internet search will find these, but please check our local shops first!
Restaurants
Cottons (Caribbean)
Taqueria (Mexican)
Ranoush (Middle Eastern)
Bullgogi (Korean)
Cocotte (French)
The Poke Shack (Japanese)
Oree (French bakery)
Portobello Juice (Juices and breakfasts)
Chakra (Indian)
Arancina Pizza (pizza!)
Eggslut (American)
The Raj (Indian)
Fez Mangal (Middle Eastern)
Can all be ordered via Deliveroo: https://deliveroo.co.uk or Uber Eats: https://www.ubereats.com/gb/
Wine & Spirits
All offering delivery to help us through the lockdown....
Huntsworth
https://www.huntsworthwine.co.uk
Lea & Sandeman:
https://www.leaandsandeman.co.uk/
Kensington Wine Rooms are offering free local delivery from their wine list. Contact richard@winerooms.london
Majestic: Call our local store directly
https://www.majestic.co.uk/stores/notting-hill-gate
Sport!
To work off all of the above (whilst observing Government guidelines):
https://www.decathlon.co.uk for sporting equipment
Heartcore, with two local pilates and yoga studios, are livestreaming classes: https://www.heartcore.co.uk, as is the Life Centre in Edge Street: https://thelifecentre.com. YouTube is also a good source of workout videos.
We can still access our two beautiful parks, but please be considerate, especially if jogging - Paris has had to bring in severe restrictions on running, as people weren't doing so safely. There have also been reports of police requesting that dogs are kept on leads, to minimise the risk of dog to dog virus transmission via fur/collars/chew toys, etc. but this doesn't seem to be well publicised.
Entertainment
Many of the great cultural institutions have been live-streaming opera (the Royal Opera House, the Met) or theatre (the National). Likewise many museums and galleries have opened their virtual doors (the British Museum, the Uffizi). These have been covered extensively in many newspapers to tempt you away from Netflix or Disney+.
Closer to home, though, our local libraries offer much to keep us busy - from free newspaper and magazine access to language learning. You can sign up online if you're not currently a member:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKRBKC/bulletins/2834a03
The Design Museum has rebranded itself the Digital Design Museum and has lots of online content for adults and children, including a programme of talks and workshops: https://designmuseum.org
The Coronet is putting content online, including its recent production of The Tin Drum: https://www.thecoronettheatre.com
The Gate cinema is closed, but its most popular live event from last year, Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag Live, is available to rent from Amazon, with proceeds going to Covid-19 charities. Go to Amazon and type in Fleabag NT Live.
Kensington Palace also has some online content, including a free online course on the history of royal dress: https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/
And for those of a more practical bent, Leyland on Notting Hill Gate is still open for all your DIY needs. But please be careful - the NHS could do without having to deal with your DIY injury at the moment!
Apologies if this information is out of date when you try to use it - you will appreciate that the situation is changing all the time. Any glaring errors or omissions, please email us and we can try to include in a future update.
Covid-19: Newsletter March 2020
Dear Residents,
We hope this email finds you safe and well. Our friends at the Pembridge Association have recently compiled listings of the help available in the area, much of which we reproduce below with many thanks. All of the information below has come from trusted sources in RBKC, Transport for London or established community organisations working under government guidelines so we hope that it will be useful. Please do forward this to anyone you know who may need this information.
We hope that you and your families stay safe in the coming weeks.
With best wishes,
The HVRA Committee
Information from the Council:
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19 contains much useful, verified information about how residents can cope with the current situation.
The Council has a dedicated team of people dealing with the Corona crisis, and the Borough Emergency Control Centre (BECC) is now open every day and is staffed with officers from key services. If you have any concerns or questions about local services and issues including support for businesses you can email them: covid-19enquiry@rbkc.gov.uk
As the situation changes rapidly you may want to sign up for daily updates from the Council at: https://bit.ly/3a5Vbhw
For local businesses concerned about staff wages and support for their business there is a dedicated website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses or the hotline: 0300 456 3565
Volunteering, donating and helping
If you would like to help local housebound residents by shopping, collecting prescriptions etc there is a thriving Coronavirus Support Group of local volunteers. Phone: 020 3287 9928 and leave a message and one of the organisers will respond. Residents who want to register to volunteer can also go to the RBKC website and search www.voluntarywork.org.uk which has been set up by the Volunteer Centre K&C (VCKC) to find out more or directly to registrations@voluntarywork.org.uk
An Emergency Food Distribution Network has also been established bringing together NHS, Age UK, Volunteer Centre, Foodbanks, Al-Manaar and Westway Trust and plans are already in process to establish more food bank distribution points in Colville ward. The Westway Trust has just agreed to allocate £25k to support purchases for the food banks and the ward councillors are also allocating CLLL funds to the food banks. If you or neighbours want to make food donations then Al-Manaar at 244 Acklam Road , W10 5YR will accept these every day from 10am -5pm.
Age UK link https://www.ageuk.org.uk/
The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation which supports many smaller local charities has launched a Covid-19 appeal for funds to support the activities of their partner charities to meet the needs of the most vulnerable during the pandemic and to rebuild services in the longer term afterwards. Kensington residents Julia and Hans Rausing have kindly undertaken to match every donation made. You can donate through their website at: https://thekandcfoundation.com/
Government volunteering site to help the NHS:
https://www.goodsamapp.org/nhs
Supporting local businesses
A number of our local shops and restaurants are adapting to the situation by offering home delivery. In some cases this can get you the essentials delivered without the 3-4 weeks' wait for a supermarket delivery slot! Please support our local businesses.
Groceries
Chegworth Valley: Next day fruit and vegetable delivery
https://www.chegworthvalley.com/shop/
Notting Hill Fish Shop: Expanding to include Natoora fruit and vegetables, Hedone Bakery and HG Walter butchers
https://tx.vc/r/1k1q2
Provenance Butcher
https://www.provenancebutcher.com/delivery/
Sally Clarke: Although sadly shortly to close the shop
https://www.sallyclarke.com/shop/
Deliveroo: They deliver a limited selection of groceries from small local supermarkets (who knew?!)
https://deliveroo.co.uk
Restaurants
Farina (Neopolitan Pizzas)
Cottons (Caribbean)
Taqueria (Mexican)
Ranoush (Middle Eastern)
Bullgogi (Korean)
Cocotte (French)
Portobello Juice (Juices and breakfasts)
Can all be ordered via Deliveroo: https://deliveroo.co.uk
Chakra (Indian) - offering a free toilet roll with each delivery! Call directly.
https://www.chakra.restaurant/
Wine & Spirits
Huntsworth
https://www.huntsworthwine.co.uk
Lea & Sandeman: £500 minimum order (for now) - should help with lockdown!
https://www.leaandsandeman.co.uk/
Majestic: Call our local store directly
https://www.majestic.co.uk/stores/notting-hill-gate
Sport!
To work off all of the above (whilst observing Government guidelines):
https://www.decathlon.co.uk
Apologies if this information is out of date when you try to use it - you will appreciate that the situation is changing all the time. Any glaring errors or omissions, please email us and we can try to include in a future update.
Transport
All transport services and travel will now be focused on ensuring key workers can move around rapidly. TfL requests that nobody should be using public transport or travelling for anything other than essential journeys. The Mayor of London has also suspended the congestion charge, the Ultra low emission zone until further notice. These changes have been made to ensure London’s critical workers, particularly those in the NHS, are able to travel round London as easily as possible during this national emergency. It also supports the supply chain, the effort to keep supermarkets fully stocked and the city’s continued operation. The roads need to be kept clear for the emergency services and key workers who get around by car so drivers are asked to consider the wider implications when using their vehicles.
The following stations will be closed until further notice:
Bakerloo line: Regent’s Park, Warwick Avenue, Kilburn Park, Charing Cross
Central line: Holland Park, Queensway, Lancaster Gate, Chancery Lane, Redbridge
Circle line: Bayswater, Great Portland Street, Barbican
District line: Bow Road, Stepney Green, Mansion House, Temple, St James’s Park, Gloucester Road
Jubilee line: Swiss Cottage, Bermondsey, Southwark
Northern line: Tuffnell Park, Chalk Farm, Mornington Crescent, Goodge Street, Borough, Clapham South, South Wimbledon, Hampstead
Piccadilly line: Caledonian Road, Arsenal, Covent Garden, Hyde Park Corner, Bounds Green, Manor House,
Victoria line: Pimlico, Blackhorse Road
NEWSLETTER MARCH 2020
Please act on TfL CS10 cycle lane (urgent)
Dear Members and Supporters,
Following our last newsletter we received overwhelmingly negative comments from many of you about TfL‘s amended CS 10 proposal. Thank you for those responses. RBK&C is under pressure from the UK-wide cycling lobby, part-funded by TfL, to reverse its popular decision not to support CS 10 at the Town Hall meeting last May, which many of you attended.
The “Save our Streets” (SOS) coalition of local Residents' Associations (RAs) has just launched a new website which we would urge you to visit at www.sos10.co.uk. SOS has also produced the attached flyer outlining the issues with the amended CS10 plans. (We would welcome volunteers to help us distribute this in the Village and surrounding area; please email hillgatevillage@outlook.com if you can spare some time for this).
We ask you, once again, to send your comments on CS10 to RBKC and TfL/GLA to demonstrate the strength of local feeling. Please email both of the following addresses at :
OBJECT TO TFL AT WillNorman@tfl.gov.uk
OBJECT TO RBKC AT TFLCycleRoute@rbkc.gov.uk (a new, dedicated email address).
Please add your name and postcode (or street) when writing, to underline that we are the local Community (and to avoid accusations of double counting) – and copy us at hillgatevillage@outlook.com even if you emailed us before, so that we can monitor responses.
If you did email us before, you may wish to simply forward (or copy and paste) the same comments to TFL and RBKC. We have already compiled the comments previously sent in, but for you to send them directly to the TFL and RBKC addresses above will certainly assist our cause.
You can sign up for periodic updates from SOS at: www.sos10.co.uk/register and they will add you to their new mailing list. Please also help by spreading the word - and the SOS website link - to local friends and neighbours who may have missed this Issue.
RBKC Alternative Cycle Way
Last week RBKC launched a consultation on their alternative, parallel east/west “cycle way” along side streets (such as Queensdale Road) which is strongly supported by SOS (some of whose members were closely involved in designing it.)
SOS believes additional cycling in quiet side streets is vastly preferable to the upsurge in vehicular rat running which CS10 would certainly cause (as TFL openly admit). RBKC’s consultation closes on March 22nd and their survey is very brief, taking only a minute or two.
If you oppose CS10, please support RBKC’s alternative by responding positively on this link:
https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/parking-transport-and-streets/getting-around/cycling-and-walking/cycleway-consultation-shepherds
Royal Parks Consultation – “Movement Strategy”
There is also a current consultation by the Royal Parks on their “movement strategy”.
Following the introduction of the cycling lane through Hyde Park, traffic gridlock is the norm – a clear illustration of what may be to come in Holland Park Avenue/Notting Hill Gate. The resulting pollution is now a concern for the parks.
As a result of a significant reductions in public funding, the Royal Parks must hold a difficult balance between preserving the gardens as a peaceful and pollution-free environment and their need to bring in revenues by attracting crowds to Winter Wonderland and other commercial events.
We note that while there is very little pedestrian/cycling traffic in Hyde Park during the hours of darkness, the West End benefits from allowing visitors to use e.g. South Carriage Drive to return from theatres/restaurants in the evening, and this provides some relief for the traffic bottlenecks around the park. TFL’s new Lancaster Gate bottleneck has already reduced capacity (making buses even slower, and emptier) on Bayswater Road, which is particularly overloaded in the Christmas period, due partly to Winter Wonderland.
The question now under consideration is whether traffic should be excluded from the parks, with the inevitable effect that those vehicles, gridlock and pollution will be thrown into surrounding streets.
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/managing-the-parks/park-strategies/the-royal-parks-transport-and-movement-strategy
This consultation closes on 25th March. Please respond direct to Royal Parks, but we would be grateful to hear from you if you have time to share your key comments with us so we can take them forward, assuming there is a reasonable degree of consensus.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
We are planning to hold our next AGM before the summer, but are holding off announcing a date due to the restrictions on public gatherings which are likely to come into force over the next few weeks. We are monitoring the situation and will announce a date as soon as we can safely do so.
Newcombe House
Following the second public inquiry in November, we await the Inspector’s recommendation, which we were warned would come in “months, not weeks”.
Membership renewals
Thank you for your continuing support. It is now time to renew your membership for this year– at our continuing modest rate of £15 - and if you feel able to add a donation that would be much appreciated.
Subscriptions and donations can be paid directly to the HVRA account below; or you can send a cheque (made out to HVRA) to the Treasurer at 46 Sheffield Terrace, W8 7NA.
Bank account details:
HVRA
Sort Code 30 96 19
Account 26278986
Thank you so much for your support. The HVRA committee is entirely made up of local residents who volunteer their time - every penny you give goes towards supporting your local area.
Newsletter February 2020
Revised plans for TfL Cycle route
Dear Members and Supporters,
Your committee urgently needs your views on the TFL cycle lane issue, which is updated below. You can revisit the history at:
https://www.hillgatevillage.com/tfl-cycle-route-plans
At the end of January, HVRA and other Residents' Associations along Holland Park Avenue (the “liaison group”) met with TfL at the GLA to discuss their revised segregated 2-way cycleway (CS10) plans along Holland Park Avenue and Notting Hill Gate.
This is an on-going dialogue between the liaison group, TfL and RBKC.
We need your views on five changes that TfL have made in reaction to the many responses to their Consultation last summer on their original proposal.
For every change, there is a price to pay. The changes and their consequences are:
Reinstate the banned left-hand turn at Royal Crescent. Impact: No pedestrian crossing at Royal Crescent
Reinstate the Norland Square bus stop; Impact: Buses will stop the lane of traffic TfL estimate for 26 seconds each as passengers embark and disembark, causing additional congestion
Retain the parking and delivery bays outside the Holland Park shops. Impact: No pedestrian crossing between Portland Road and Clarendon Road
Retain the 2 mature plane trees on HPA. Impact: No right-hand turn onto Ladbroke Grove causing rat running
Retain all but 3 trees on Notting Hill Gate’s central reservation. Impact: No parking bays on the South side of Notting Hill Gate opposite builders' merchants
Whereas a dedicated 2-way cycleway would bring significant benefits to cyclists, especially the fast commuter, despite the changes now proposed by TfL we consider the scheme brings too many disbenefits to other road-users and particularly to the local community to be acceptable, for the following reasons.
The revised CS10 plans haven’t addressed our main issues as the proposed cycleway would still result in:
o Less healthy streets due to increased congestion, pollution and noise – TfL predict between 200- 400 extra vehicles per hour going down selected residential streets.
o Less safe streets, with:Pedestrians needing to cross fast flowing cycle lanes to reach bus stop bypasses and shops; pedestrians and cyclists sharing pavements where the cycleway crosses from HPA south side over to Royal Crescent pavement.Cyclists travelling at speed down Holland Park Avenue hill and risk of colliding with slower cyclists and people entering from side roadso
o A worse environment for bus users and pedestrians due to:The increased distance between bus stops and increased bus journey times in a congested single lane traffic lane.The relocation of pedestrian crossings, narrower pavements, reduced bus stops, unpopular bus by-pass stops, sharing pavements with cyclistso
o A risk of more shop closures as customers avoid the increased congestion, particularly during the construction phase, and shops in Notting Hillstruggle to receive deliveries.
o The cutting down of 3 established trees, reducing the wind break and carbon absorbing benefits that the trees were planted for.
o The loss of a major arterial route out of London, linking up with the M40 and A316, and used by the Oxford Tube as well as several local bus routes.
We promised TfL we would now consult with our members to understand their views. TfL are still insisting that this dedicated 2-way cycleway will reduce car use by providing a safe cycleway as an alternative way of travelling for all the family.
The liaison group supports TfL’s aims to encourage walking, cycling and public transport to make London greener and healthier, but cannot see how building CS10 (at a cost of £42m) would achieve this. The group is working with the Council to create more Quietway cycle routes which we believe are more cycle friendly than dedicated cycleways along more polluted main roads.
Please tell us if you are supportive or against the revised CS10 scheme, and why – and whether we have your support if we need to object again to TfL. Regardless of whether you use a car, ride a bicycle, take the bus or just walk, TfL’s proposed cycleway through Holland Park Avenue and Notting Hill Gatewill affect all of us.
The “rat running” issue could be especially bad for some HVRA members as the Kensington Place/Aubrey Walk rat run is already a problem (with 2 primary schools and a nursery in the immediate vicinity) - this scheme would reduce HPA to one lane westwards. The Lancaster Gate scheme already exacerbated the issue north of the Gate; this would make it a great deal worse.
Please send us your views at hillgatevillage@outlook.com
Many thanks,
Your HVRA Committee
Newcombe House update
Following the generous response to our request for additional donations around the time of the November planning enquiry (for which many thanks), we delivered the more accurate images of the proposal to the planning Inspectorate in Bristol on Christmas Eve. We await news on the inspector’s report, and also on the government reshuffle.
During the inquiry Felicity Buchan, now our new MP, added her written objections to those of Emma Dent Coad MP. The s 106 agreements were completed at the end of November.
We will update you further as soon as there is any significant news.