HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – April 2024
News from your Hyde Park Labour Councillors Judith Southern, Md Shamsed Chowdhury and Paul Dimoldenberg
Dear Resident,
We hope that all is well. It has been another very busy month right across the ward.
We attended the ceremony to mark the installation of Edgware Road’s first ever Ramadan light installation organised by Marble Arch BID and the Portman Estate on 10th March https://marble-arch.london/news/edgware-road-ramadan-light-display/
We visited the temporary pop-up parklet on Connaught Street, outside La Maritxu and Assal, on 14th March. https://www.westminsterlabour.org.uk/ward-news/hyde-park/2024/03/14/connaught-street-pop-up-parklet/. The parklet was organised by EX-TRA in conjunction with HyPER https://hyper.uk/pop-up-parklet-on-connaught-street/
We arranged a meeting with West End Quay, Church Commissioners, Freshwater and the Council’s Planning Enforcement and Private Sector Housing Teams to discuss ways of tackling the problems caused by Short Term and Medical Lets.
The Paddington-Bayswater High Streets Programme aims to improve the local high streets north of Hyde Park – Edgware Road, Praed Street, Queensway and Westbourne Grove. The report is available at https://www.westminster.gov.uk/place-shaping/westminster-high-streets-programme
We hold a regular advice surgery at St John’s Parish Hall, Hyde Park Crescent, on the first Thursday of the month from 6-7pm. The next will be on Thursday 4th April, 6pm-7pm.
Please let us know if we can be of help or assistance on any local issues.
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road/Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Sussex Square/Bathurst Street
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate this issue raised by a resident:
“I witnessed the dumping event in Sussex Square last night, when a fridge, chairs, a mattress, and other items were rolled out and dumped in the middle of the square by a local resident. I spoke to the man responsible, who had to make several journeys from Bathurst Street to wheel out this material, which he then dumped. He refused to comment. A gentleman was standing outside their house and said that “he is bringing a car to take it away”. It is all still here now.”
Oxford Square
We are making enquiries about broadband after receiving this message from an Oxford Square resident, “We on the south side of Oxford Square are in a “not spot”. All houses adjacent and across, including blocks of flats all have fast broadband. But the 11 houses on the south side aren’t connected. BT say not before 2026. It is very frustrating.“
Cambridge Square
Following our enquiries with the Church Commissioners about illegal short-term letting of a house in Cambridge Square, the Commissioners tell us, “The leaseholder had a licence to sublet granted by the Commissioners for an AST agreement and that sub-tenant was causing the nuisance with short letting. Chestertons were assisting the leaseholder with taking action to remove this tenant and we had not received further reports. However, it appears that the issues are continuing, and we have now instructed solicitors to take direct action against the leaseholder.”
We also reported this to the Planning Enforcement Team who say, “We have an investigation open for this address and will also get a Planning Contravention Notice served. We will also send out an Agents warning letter to Chestertons.”
Connaught Street
We are pleased that, following our objection to the application for a pavement licence at Bursa Evi Ltd, 1 Connaught Street, the application has been refused.
There is an interview with Lucia, founder of La Maritxu https://www.lamaritxucheesecake.co.uk, the Basque cheesecake shop in Connaught Village, in the latest Marble Arch BID update https://marble-arch.london/hidden-heroes/lucia-la-maritxu/
Kendal Street
We asked the City Inspectors to arrange for the graffiti on the building at the corner of Kendal Street and Edgware Road to be removed.
In response to concerns raised by residents about vehicle speeds along Kendal Street, we asked the Highways Team to investigate. The Team says, “Analysis of the data shows:
- Westbound traffic: a mean speed of 17.4mph
- Eastbound traffic: a mean speed of 15.6mph
We have ordered additional 20mph marking on the carriage way to remind drivers of the speed limit.”
Sussex Square
We told Lime to remove badly parked e-bikes from Sussex Square and ensure that the parking bay is kept tidy at all times.
Sussex Gardens
We asked the Planning Enforcement and Property Licensing Teams to investigate a flat in Sussex Gardens after we were told, “the tenant has turned his roof extension into a walk-on terrace and has BBQs which are effecting residents of Radnor Mews.”
We also asked the Highways and Parking Team to consider a long-term solution to this issue raised by a resident – “The bike lane at the end of Sussex Gardens is still being used as free parking, day and night – a Mercedes driver is currently wanting to park on the bike lane and is honking his horn at a van which is also trying to park for free on the residents’ parking.”
Southwick Street
We asked the Church Commissioners and the Council’s Short Term Lettings Team to take action against the leaseholder of a Devonport flat in Southwick Street which is being advertised on Airbnb at over £500 a night.
We also asked the Highways Team to repair a pothole by a noisy manhole cover on Southwick Street. The area has now been made safe.
Radnor Place
We asked the Highways Team to arrange for a telecoms box to be painted black. The Highways Team say, “Orders have been raised to paint the cabinets black”.
Hyde Park Street
We told Lime to remove badly parked e-bikes from Hyde Park Street and ensure that the parking bay is kept tidy at all times.
Connaught Place
Historic England has listed 16-18 Connaught Place, a 20th century office building by Whitfield Partners, at Grade II, for the following principal reasons:
- Architectural interest: a work by the noted practice of William Whitfield and partners which demonstrates a sensitive reaction to a complicated site. A carefully detailed design, both in terms of the materials used and the quality of the individual features, including hand-crafted ironwork across the principal fronts and landscaping of the immediate surroundings.
- Historic interest: an impressive example of a later-C20 commercial building which makes an impact while also respecting its setting.
- Group interest: with numbers 1-12 Connaught Place (Grade II), 9-10 Stanhope Place and 11-15 Stanhope Place (all Grade II).
For further details see https://services.historicengland.org.uk/webfiles/GetFiles.aspx?av=9CA18E0A-EE33-4FA6-8126-E81EDC13BB47&cn=41102516-3ADC-4014-B587-63E3037EB00D
Park West Place
Following requests from residents we asked the Planning Enforcement Team to inspect building activity at 2 Park West Place. An investigation has now been opened into a breach of planning control in respect of the plant which has been installed on the roof of this block in connection with the Self-Storage unit in the basement.
Park Lane
There has been an increase in people sleeping in tenants in the central reservation along Park Lane. We asked the City Inspectors to investigate and they say, “Our outreach services engaged with all persons in encampments, preparing for any abandoned encampments on TfL land being removed, supported by our services.”
Hyde Park Estate security
For residents living on the Hyde Park Estate, the Croma mobile security supervisor contact number is 07880 680257. The mobile team provides 2 patrols each evening between the hours of 19.00pm – 07.00am. This is paid for via the service charges at blocks managed by the Church Commissioners, who also pay for the patrol at Portsea Mews and around Connaught Village.
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
St Michael’s Street
We asked Notting Hill Genesis to repair the faulty stairs leading down to the basement of a flat in St Michael’s Street, after a resident told us, “it’s become more and more difficult to get up and down them with heavy shopping.” NHG say, “Upon receiving the carpenters report, NHG building surveyors have instructed a contractor to make the required repairs to the staircase.”
Nat West, Spring Street
We urged Nat West to reconsider the decision to close the 26 Spring Street branch from 7th August. Also closing is the Baker Street branch, so there will be no Nat West branches in Paddington and Marylebone following the past closure of Nat West branches in Edgware Road and Marylebone High Street over recent years. There will be just one Nat West branch left in the West End – in Regent Street.
Spring Street
We asked the High Streets Team to take action on this issue raised by a resident,
“We are concerned by the proliferation of so-called souvenir shops in Spring Street. These outlets which have sprung up on the west side of the street bring no retail value at all to residents but also downgrade the area. Paddington Hardware has done a good job in supplying residents with a range of basic products over a number of years, including the pandemic and there is no reason to replicate this offer in 2 other outlets within 10 metres.”
Talbot Square
We are pleased to see that the grass at Talbot Square has been returfed and protective posts have been installed to enable the turf to take root.
We asked the City Inspectors to visit a property in Talbot Square after we received complaints about regular rubbish dumping outside the property.
London Street
We asked the Highways Team to repair a stretch of defective roadway on London Street, near the Praed Street junction.
Praed Street/South Wharf Road
We told the e-bike operators to keep the Praed Street, South Wharf Road parking bay, outside West End Quay, tidy and to remove excess bikes.
Praed Street
We are supporting Paddington Now’s Projection Lighting Project to light up the Hilton Hotel Towers in Praed Street over the winter months. The project will improve lighting and increase local cultural activities in the area
Edgware Road area
Joe Strummer subway
Work will start on the rain gardens at the Joe Strummer subway on 16 April to create one of London’s biggest sustainable urban drainage systems. Three of the four ramps will be planted gardens to collect rainwater and prevent localsed surface flooding. The fourth set of ramps, next to M&S, will be retained by TfL for access and maintenance to the subway drainage system.
The work will take place in several phases, starting with the two northern sections, outside the former Paddington Green Police station and the Bakerloo line station. The third section, outside the Hilton London Metropole, will then follow.
https://marble-arch.london/news/joe-strummer-rain-gardens/
Edgware Road
We asked for additional rubbish bins to be located on the pavement at 145 and 185 Edgware Road. The bins are now in place.
Burwood Place
We asked the Highways Team to fix a loose paving slab on Burwood Place.
We are delighted to see new streetlights being installed in Burwood Place to improve safety for residents and visitors.
Park West
We are making urgent inquiries about issues at Park West raised by residents concerning anti-social behaviour.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
Oxford and Cambridge Mansions
We asked the City Inspectors to take action against the person responsible for regular rubbish dumping outside Block 3 Oxford and Cambridge Mansions.
Transept Street
We reported the address details of the residents who dumped rubbish outside the entrance to 38-47a Chapel Street on Transept Street and asked the City Inspectors to issue fines. We asked the Housing Department to remind residents of 38-47a Chapel Street not to dump rubbish by the gates and to deposit their rubbish in the bins provided for them.
Hyde Park Mansions
We asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate a water leak coming from a damaged pipe on the top floor of a flat in Hyde Park Mansions. The Team Leader says, “There is clearly defective drainage here that can be dealt with under the remit of the Private Sector Housing Team. This can be dealt with using Section 59 of the Building Act 1984 (defective drainage) if necessary.”
We also asked the City Inspectors to remove a key box to be removed from a post outside Hyde Park Mansions.
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
South Wharf Road
We asked the Rough Sleeping Team to offer help to the people who have been sleeping outside Gregg’s on South Wharf Road.
We also asked the Highways Team to investigate this issue raised by the West End Quay management, “We are having residents complain due to a change in delivery hours to Greggs and Tesco on South Wharf Road. They are now taking deliveries at between 4.30am and 5 am.”
Marylebone Boys School, North Wharf Road
We are supporting Marylebone Boys School’s proposal to use a vacant piece of school land to create a peaceful, green space for groups of students to enjoy, particularly pupils with mild autism. This area will include plants, flowers and also a herb area so students can see the process of how vegetation grows.
Harrow Road/North Wharf Road
Following resident enquiries about Getir bikes parking on double yellow lines at the corner of Harrow Road and North Wharf Road, the Parking Team say, “The Marshals have visited the location and spoke to the manager of Getir explaining that the vehicles should not be parked unless genuine loading/unloading is taking place.
The yellow lines at the location are very badly faded and these will be refreshed in order to better clarify the regulations. In the meantime, the Marshals will monitor the area and encourage vehicles to park compliantly.”
We also asked the Highways Team to repair a damaged area of roadway along Harrow Road near the North Wharf Road junction.
Fleming Library, St Mary’s Hospital
We raised concerns with the Planning Department about a potential risk to the Fleming Library in the medical school building on the St Mary’s Hospital site which has been sold for redevelopment.
Aster House
We told Lime to remove two abandoned e-bikes from outside Aster House and fine the riders.
North Wharf Road
We told Lime to remove a badly parked e-bikes from on North Wharf Road and fine the rider.
Montgomery House
We continue to urge Peabody to fix long-standing water leaks to flats in Montgomery House. Peabody say, “Unfortunately, there are numerous leaks in Montgomery House. Saltash Construction has been appointed to resolve these but it is taking longer than expected.” We will continue to press Peabody to resolve these long-standing problems.
Dudley House
We asked Pinnacle Housing to check on a suspected Airbnb letting at Dudley House advertised at £180 per night.
Paddington Basin
We asked the City Inspectors to contact the Canal & River Trust about this issue, “There is a large industrial sized barge that has been slowly filling up with waste, empty plastic bins and rubbish which appears to have just been dumped there randomly.”
A40 flyover
We asked the City Inspectors to arrange help and assistance to all those sleeping in tents under the A40 flyover, and to arrange for graffiti to be cleaned from the flyover and the Burne House BT Telephone Exchange Building.
Eastbourne Terrace
London Buses has now reviewed its access to the Eastbourne Terrace Bus Stand and has provisionally agreed to permanently relocate the National Express Bus Stop from Bishop’s Bridge Road to the southern end of Eastbourne Terrace, as per the two recent trials.
The southern bay enables an easier pedestrian transfer of Airport Coach passengers down into the Paddington mainline, Elizabeth Line and Underground station for onward journeys. Also, the ‘inswing’ of the longer 15m coaches into the northern Eastbourne Terrace bays from the Bishop’s Bridge Road left turn is tighter than desired – whereas access to the southern stands is a more gradual approach angle for such coaches. Therefore, the London Bus Route 46 buses will occupy the northern end Bus Stand bays.
The registered route for the access and egress route for all National Express coaches will remain as Bishops Bridge Road – Eastbourne Terrace – Praed Street and onto Edgware Road during both during the current redevelopment works and thereafter.
Rachel Blake, Labour Candidate for Cities of London and Westminster
Rachel Blake is the Labour Candidate for Cities of London and Westminster at the next General Election https://www.rachelblake.co.uk. Rachel says,
- Campaign to save homes – “Residents tell me about the impact of short term lets on local communities. It is not just noise and additional waste, it is the loss of homes which should be for local residents. Westminster is seeing a rapid growth in these short term lets and it is reducing the number of homes available and damaging communities. I regularly speak to landlords and residents who are affected and report that they struggle to tackle the issue. I know that Westminster City Council is doing what it can to stop these, but they need more powers and resource to do this. That’s why I am campaigning to save our homes. The Government has finally published its plans for a short term lets registration scheme. But it does not go far enough. I am calling on the Government to introduce a compulsory registration scheme; introduce powers for local councils to prosecute the hosts for anti-social and illegal activity; revise the current bureaucratic and slow mechanisms proposed so that local councils can restrict the number of short term lets in an area.”
- Supporting private renters – “The Conservatives have been promising to end no-fault eviction for years but failed to deliver on their promises. Thousands more families who the government promised to protect, now face the prospect of being threatened with homelessness or kicked out of their homes by bailiffs. Labour will bring in Private Renters Charter.”