WEST END WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – March 2022
News from Councillor Pancho Lewis, Paul Fisher, Patrick Lilley and Jessica Toale
SOHO
Broadwick Street
We are supporting local residents’ objections to a proposed nightclub at National Magazine House. Residents in Stirling Court, William Blake House, Westminster Residences and elsewhere have objected to the proposed nightclub which will be open until 2am and will cause huge disturbance to people trying to sleep. The nightclub plans are inappropriate for an area with a high density of residents.
The Soho Society says:
“The tall buildings on Broadwick Street act to amplify the street level noise and another late-night venue will exacerbate the existing levels of antisocial behaviour. There are considerable problems with dispersal late at night in this area.”
You can comment on the proposals on the Council’s website, using ref 21/03136/FULL.
Residents say, “Many thanks for your continuing support. Living in Soho is becoming increasingly like being on a sinking ship!”
Wardour Street
An application under the Gambling Act has been submitted for 147 Wardour Street for a premises licence for an adult gaming centre for part of the basement. The rest of the basement and the ground floor would operate as a family entertainment centre. The application is for 9 am to 3 am every day. An adult gaming centre means gaming machines which have a maximum stake of £2 per game and winnings of up to £500.
Information on the application is on the Council’s website under reference 22/00920/LIGN.
Berwick Street
The local press reports on the problems caused for residents and shoppers by seagulls in Berwick Street
7 Dufour’s Place
At the request of residents, we have contacted Soho Housing Association and the Council’s Environmental Health team about long-standing heating issues.
Women’s Safety in the West End
In November, we ran a survey in response to concerns raised by women about their safety on the streets of the West End. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and experiences of what can be very difficult issues. We are taking action in response to the issues raised by the survey – and in particular the overwhelming need to improve policing and lighting in areas of the West End:
- West End ward candidate Jessica Toale has written about women’s safety for the latest edition of the My Soho Times. Read it here https://issuu.com/mysohotimes/docs/my_soho_times_spring_2022.
- The Soho Ward Panel agreed to put women’s safety on the agenda at their last meeting. We presented the findings of the survey and highlighted issues identified by respondents to PC Muldoon.
- We are in the process of organising a walk around of Soho with an urban planner and lighting expert to determine what improvements can be made. Details will be shared shortly.
20th Century House
We are supporting the Soho Society’s petition to Save 20th Century House on Soho Square. Its owners, Royal London, have applied to demolish and rebuild the building. Not only would this detract from the square, losing a building with deep historical connection to the film industry, it would also release a massive amount of CO2. Refurbishing the building could save 9.6 thousand tonnes of CO2. You can sign the petition here https://www.change.org/p/royal-london-insurance-society-limited-royal-london-to-withdraw-its-application-to-demolish-20th-century-house-in-soho-square
Soho Radio
West End ward candidate Paul Fisher appeared on Soho Radio to talk politics, toilets, the Middle East and gambling! You can listen to it here.
FITZROVIA
Holcroft Court
We have asked the Council to clear graffiti from the wall at the southern entrance to Holcroft Court.
New Cavendish Street
We have reported rubbish dumping on New Cavendish Street to the Council. It is unacceptable for rubbish to be dumped on the pavement.
Bolsover Street
We have continued to urge Notting Hill Genesis to fix a broken entryphone at Tabron Court in Bolsover Street. NHG say:
“Unfortunately, there have been many delays on repairing door entry systems due to parts coming from Europe and the effect Brexit has had on sourcing these. Our M&E team are working on contracts within the UK and have advised that parts for this system should arrive by March 1st and then an appointment will be booked in to have this repaired. In the interim, our contractors will be reattending to see if there is anything they can do here before parts arrive.”
FitzWest Forum
We attended the FitzWest Forum’s to discuss plans to use their Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allocation. Here is a note of the issues raised at the meeting
https://www.fitzwest.org/consultations/first-public-cil-meeting-fitzrovia/
Riding House Street
The University of Westminster is inviting local people to an open day on 29th March to learn about its plan to restore a small basement theatre at Riding House Street.
https://fitzrovianews.com/2022/03/04/plan-to-restore-fringe-theatre-in-riding-house-street/
MAYFAIR
Mayfair Library under threat
Leaked documents have revealed Westminster Council are quietly planning to close Mayfair Library. This has sparked outrage and very serious concern. With elections approaching on 5th May, we’re troubled that Westminster Conservatives appear to want to keep these plans secret. Our community deserves to have a say on the future of our libraries.
Councillor Pancho Lewis criticised the plans, saying “The threat to the future of Mayfair Library (and many others across Westminster) is particularly offensive to residents and tax-payers given that the Conservatives in Westminster recently wasted £6 million on the Marble Arch Mound eyesore.”
“Patrick Lilley, one of the three Labour candidates in the West End, added: “Mayfair Library is a huge community asset used by a multitude of local people and groups and should remain open. It’s disturbing that its future is at risk.” Do you agree? Please sign our petition:
https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/issues/2022/02/11/libraryclosuresrevealed/
South Street
At the request of residents, we have asked the Parking Team to take action against the drivers who park outside 38 South Street and leave their engines idling. The Parking Team say, “The matter will be highlighted to the enforcement team for further investigation by the parking Marshals”.
St George’s, Hanover Square
We agree with the concerns of St George’s, Hanover Square about proposals to build a ‘bypass’ pavement around the portico of the church which would have the effect of marginalising the historic public right of way that runs through the portico.
Grosvenor Chapel Public Meeting
We attended a meeting of Mayfair residents at Grosvenor Chapel and raised the issues of noise created by nuisance pedicabs, the rise in anti-social behaviour and licensing in the area.
£6 million Marble Arch Mound
The scale of Boris Johnson’s Westminster Conservatives’ £6m Marble Arch Mound financial mismanagement has now come into sharp focus as Westminster Council unveils its budget for the next financial year. As a result of the Conservatives’ financial blunders:
- Council rents are going up £5 a week, bringing in £3m extra income.
- Parking charges are going up, too, raising £1m extra income.
- Adult Social Services are being cut by £500,000 and
- Mayfair Library is under threat of closure to save £200,000 a year in rent.