News from your local Labour Councillors for Lancaster Gate Ward – Ellie Ormsby and Jude Ryan
Here’s our February Action Report with news about Lancaster Gate Ward and the issues we’ve taken up on behalf of residents in the past few weeks
Please do GET IN TOUCH if there’s something in your area that needs action or an issue we can help with.
ADVICE SURGERIES – no appointment needed
1st Thursday of each month 5:30 pm-7 pm – Pickering House, Hallfield Estate and 3rd Saturday of each month 11 am-12:30 am – Sheila’s Cafe, 24a Craven Terrace, London W2 3QH
St. Mary’s Hospital
The Government has confirmed a £50 million investment over the next three years to allow Imperial College Healthcare to continue to the detailed design and planning phase for its St Mary’s Hospital redevelopment.
Labour Leader Councillor Adam Hug said: “The Council is proud to be working with the Trust in a joint taskforce, including our MPs and a range of other stakeholders and experts, to deliver a new 850-bed hospital and world-leading research centre – securing the best care and new jobs for Westminster and beyond.” We know residents across Lancaster Gate and Bayswater are desperate for this project to start as soon as possible – the biggest ever government investment in the project is a massive vote of confidence that we very much welcome. More details can be found here.
Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour
In previous updates, we announced the launch of 100 CCTV cameras across Westminster. We are delighted the Council is moving forward with the next stage by expanding the Council’s CCTV network to 200 cameras. We will be working hard to ensure we secure additional cameras in Lancaster Gate and Bayswater and welcome any suggestions for locations. Further details can be found here.
The Council has also confirmed that it will be doubling the size of the Short-term Lets Enforcement Team and expanding the number of Noise Investigations Officers in the Noise Team. We already have several live investigations into illegal short-term lets across the ward. Westminster has the highest number of short-term lets in the country – with a disproportionate number located in Lancaster Gate and Bayswater so this news is especially welcome. Further details can be found here.
Major £3 million Refurbishment At Porchester Centre
The Porchester Leisure Centre is back in business after a £3m refurbishment! We’re proud to be home to London’s oldest spa – built in the 1920s. These renovations have greatly improved its facilities and will allow more residents and visitors to enjoy the centre. See here for more details.
Queensway Post Office
We’ve previously mentioned the ongoing work to find a new location for the closed Queensway Post Office. We have been working hard behind the scenes to connect the Post Office with potential sites and existing retailers, and we’re now delighted to confirm the Post Office will relocate to a site on Westbourne Grove to ensure this provision is secured for local residents. See here for further details.
Royal Parks Police
The Royal Parks including Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are currently policed by the specialist Royal Parks Police. We know so many of our residents rely on the open green space for exercise, leisure and wellbeing. We’ve joined our MPs in calling on the Metropolitan Police to retain the Royal Parks Police Unit, which is threatened by plans to cut the unit to balance the Police budget. See here for further details.
Joe Powell MP Coffee Afternoon
We hosted a coffee afternoon with Joe Powell MP and our ward police officers in the Hallfield School earlier this month. We discussed issues such as e-bikes, short-term lets, St Mary’s Hospital, speeding, anti-social behaviour, flooding and Thames Water. Thank you to all that attended and contributed to the productive discussion.
Hallfield Major Works
Residents in Phase 3 (Winchester, Worcester and Lyton) have highlighted issues with the quality of the work delivered by Axis on the Estate, with damage done to brick work. Cllr Ormsby attended a walkabout with residents, Axis and WCC to view a window installation and to understand the process by which damage may be caused. Cllr Ormsby also attended a resident working group with Axis and WCC representatives to work through other issues.
We are also aware that Phase 4 (Clovelly, Exeter, Carnarvon, Brecon and Bridgewater) of the Major Works have been contacted about the work commencing in their blocks. We have fought hard to ensure Carbon CIL funding remains available for these blocks to partially offset the costs of the works given historic mismanagement of the project under the previous administration.
Hallfield Estate Parking Infringements
We are aware of persistent issues relating to parking infringements on the Hallfield Estate. Cllr Ormsby organised a resident walkabout with officers from housing, parking and ASB, as well as residents impacted by the issue, to discuss potential solutions. We will be working with officers, the RA and residents to discuss whether a move to a TMO (Traffic Management Order) would be desirable given the continued problem.
Residents who attended said: “It was excellent that you invited several of our local parking marshals to join us… again many thanks for arranging the walkabout and allowing us to bring to your attention the various issues around the estate.”
Hallfield Paint Damage
We identified that individuals had dropped several large pots of paint, presumably from the balcony of Pembroke House, onto the road and pavement. We reported this immediately to the council highways and cleaning team, who attended on the day to attempt to remove the paint. We have also reported this to ASB and policing teams to see if they can identify the culprits through CCTV and bring them to justice.
Queensway Planning Enforcement
We previously identified a property on Queensway with the front facade in a state of disrepair. We raised this with Planning Enforcement who have now reported back: An inspection of the property had revealed that the front facade of the property was in a state of disrepair, and this was adversely impacting on the appearance of the property and on the character and appearance of the Queensway Conservation Area. However, following action taken by the Planning Enforcement Team, including the issue of a S215 Notice on 20 September 2024, remedial works have been undertaken to suitably address the poor condition of the facade.
Queensway Station Scaffolding
Business owners on Queensway and Bayswater Road have flagged that scaffolding on Queensway Station had been in situ for a prolonged period with no works taking place. We have liaised with TfL, who have provided reassurances that the scaffolding should be removed within the next fortnight.
Craven Hill Gardens Abandoned Vehicle
We are aware of an abandoned vehicle on Craven Hill Gardens in which it appears individuals are sleeping within it. Both the police and WCC are aware, and we are working with both to ensure action is taken to get this vehicle removed so it is no longer a nuisance to residents.
Stay Vigilant!
Residents in a mews property have flagged that they were approached by individuals with jet washers offering to wash stone work. Residents have flagged the astronomical price they were pressured into paying after the works and the aggressive tactics deployed by the men. This has been reported to the police. Please be vigilant if you are approached on the doorstep by individuals offering this service.