Labour Westminster Council has approved more than £1 million in new investment to deliver improvements to public spaces in Paddington Green and Little Venice Canalside, helping to make the area greener, safer and more inclusive.
The Paddington Place Plan is part of Labour’s “Fairer Westminster” strategy. It will bring real, tangible benefits to local communities by upgrading underpasses and canal bridges, supporting new uses at Stone Wharf, and creating an inclusive new playground at St Mary’s Churchyard. These projects follow public engagement in spring 2025 and will be delivered in stages over the coming months.
Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said:
“This is Labour delivering for Little Venice and Paddington. We’re investing in public spaces that local people actually use, with safer routes, more green space, and places for children of all abilities to play. These aren’t just cosmetic upgrades. They are practical improvements that support active travel, reduce antisocial behaviour and improve wellbeing.
This part of Westminster has some of the highest levels of deprivation in the city. It’s exactly the kind of place where public investment should be going, and under Labour, it is.”
The funding package includes £700,000 for early delivery and design work, plus £353,139 for associated project management and council costs. The projects are fully funded through Westminster’s capital programme and align with long-term goals to improve biodiversity, promote walking and cycling, and celebrate the area’s heritage.
Early works will include:
- Improvements to dark and underused underpasses with better lighting and new community artwork
- Temporary facilities and flexible uses at Stone Wharf, working with local groups like the Floating Classroom
- A new inclusive playground at St Mary’s Churchyard designed with accessibility and safety in mind
The Paddington Place Plan is part of a wider vision to transform Paddington’s fragmented neighbourhoods into vibrant, connected and healthier places.
