HYDE PARK WARD LABOUR ACTION REPORT – July 2026
News from your Labour Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury and the Hyde Park Ward Labour Action Team
Dear Resident,
We are delighted to send you our latest Action Report.
Shamsed attended the St George’s Fields Garden Party on 13th June and had a very enjoyable time.
Shamsed attended meetings of HyPER on 18th June and HPEA on 22nd June to outline his priorities for action and to report on the work he has been doing in the ward since the elections. He also took up a number of individual concerns raised by residents.
There will be another Community Mobile Recycling Centre event on Saturday 18th July 2026, from 10am-4pm at Norfolk Crescent W2 2YS. The Community Mobile Recycling Centres allow residents to drop off bulky waste items, electric appliances and other hard-to-recycle items locally to be reused, recycled or safely disposed of. There will be a Swap Shop where residents can take home items. For more information about how the event works please visit: Community Mobile Recycling Centre | Westminster City Council
Councillor Shamsed Chowdhury holds a regular advice surgery at St John’s Parish Hall, Hyde Park Crescent. His next advice surgery will be on Thursday 2nd July 2026, 6pm-7pm.
Please let me know if I can be of help or assistance at mdschowdhury@westminster.gov.uk
NEWS AND ACTION
The Hyde Park Estate area, bounded by Edgware Road, Bayswater Road and Sussex Gardens
Duke of Kendal
We are very sorry to see the closure of the Duke of Kendal public house and we asked the Church Commissioners what their intentions are for the future of the pub. They say,
“The timing of the cessation of trading reflects the arrangements agreed between the tenant and the Commissioners following the Notice of assignment served by the tenant and the statutory deadlines which then had to be followed.
Following the surrender of the lease the Commissioners have already agreed an extension of the existing lease from the end of May to the end of June following discussions with the tenant. This extension will come to an end on 30 June and the pub will close at that point.
Following vacant possession, we will be undertaking a review of the property and will give due consideration to its future use. We recognise the importance of the pub to the local community and those factors will be taken into account as part of that process.”
Portsea Place
We asked the Trees Team to prune the large tree in Portsea Place after receiving this request, “Is there any chance we could get the Tree team to come and trim some of the branches on the big tree in front of Portsea Hall? Especially on the left-hand side of the tree. All the branches are covering the Acer tree we have planted and it’s dying due to no sunlight.”
The Trees Team tell us that the tree will be pruned in early July.
Park West
Freshwater has submitted a planning application at Park West for “Alterations to windows and doors at ground and first floor level with some being increased in size and some being altered to a bay window, replacement of and installation of roof lanterns and associated works.” (ref 26/02299/FULL)
Residents have contacted us to say, “this is a precursor to a change of use from offices to flats. We know this because a previous application for the full works to convert to flats was rejected last year. Freshwater is adopting a twin track tactic to bulldoze this through the WCC. They have already had pre-meetings with planning officers and have been advised to get the planning for windows and doors granted first before advancing with change of use of the flats. This approach is totally unfair as there has been no pre-planning consultation with the existing 534 residential flats.”
You can see the plans and comment online here https://www.westminster.gov.uk/planning-building-control-and-environmental-regulations/planning-applications/search-and-comment-planning-applications-and-register-email-notifications/comment-planning-applications
Kendal Street
We asked Forest to fine an inconsiderate e-bike rider who dumped their hire bike in Kendal Street.
Connaught Village Green
We asked the Street Sweeping Team to regularly clear the area around Connaught Village Green of discarded bottles, cans and bottle tops. We also asked the Church Commissioners if they have any plans to install low barriers to the planted area to stop dogs from using the area as a toilet.
Connaught Street
We again asked the Church Commissioners to ensure that the burglar alarm for 55 Connaught Street is fitted with an automatic cut-out device to stop it ringing indefinitely.
Connaught Square
We again asked the Highways Team to install bollards outside Connaught House School to improve the safety of children entering and leaving the school. The new lowered kerbs outside the school are encouraging cyclists to turn from Seymour Street across the pavement into Stanhope Place. This is not only putting children at risk during school drop-off and pick-up times but also endangering any pedestrians using the pavement at the corner of Seymour Street and Stanhope Place. We have asked the Team to consider installing measures to prevent cyclists from riding across the pavement, such as bollards or cycle stands.
Hyde Park Crescent
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned bike attached to the bike racks outside 9 Hyde Park Crescent.
We also asked the Highways Team to fill a dangerous pothole in Hyde Park Crescent.
Southwick Street
We asked the Trees Team to remove a dead tree in Southwick Street to be removed.
Sussex Mews East
We asked the police to increase their patrols in the Sussex Mews East area following reports of drug activity in the area.
Bathurst Mews
Residents can make comments on the Bathurst Mews stable planning application here
The Star Street area, between Sussex Gardens and Praed Street
Norfolk Place
We asked the police to increase patrols in Norfolk Place at the request of Edna House residents who raise concerns “about the roaring motorbikes and vehicles menace that we live with 24/7 at Edna House?”
St Michael’s Street
We are continuing to press the Council to install CCTV cameras in the St Michael’s Street area. Council officers say, “I made an application for a camera in St Michaels Street in November last year. My request for this location was not approved. I am currently gathering details to understand if the current situation and need have changed. My assessment including identification of suitable columns will be completed shortly.”
London Mews
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate a property in London Mews where local businesses and residents say there are the following issues:
- Materials being stored there (wood, bedding, debris), which is worrying from a fire safety perspective
- The general condition of the space, which is becoming increasingly unsanitary
- Regular late-night and early-morning activity, including suspected drug use
- The volume of items being kept there, which has raised concerns locally around potential criminal activity
- Ongoing noise and disturbance affecting guests and neighbouring businesses
Shamed says, “I have also spoken with other local businesses. In my view, this situation appears to be more than homelessness and may involve organised criminal activity, including the storage of stolen goods and drugs. I have escalated these concerns to the police and the council team.”
UPDATE – The London Mews encampment has been cleared
We also asked the Highways Team to repair a broken kerb stone in London Mews.
We also asked the Planning Enforcement Team to investigate a suspected illegal Airbnb letting in London Mews and an unauthorised structure on the roof of another property.
Praed Street
We asked the E-Bike Team to issue fines to Lime and Forest for their failure to control the large number of bikes parked on the pavement outside West End Quay on Praed Street.
We asked the City Inspectors to again contact Tesco who have been informed several times over the years not to store their empty cages on the public highway in Praed Street.
Swe also asked the Highways Team to tell Thames Water to repair a broken water cover which is a pedestrian hazard just outside 37 Praed Street.
Sussex Gardens
We asked the City Inspectors to arrange for dumped bedding to be removed from Sussex Gardens.
We are also making enquiries into building works at 229-233 Sussex Gardens.
Southwick Street
We have asked the Highways Team to investigate problems in Southwick Street following the recent repaving which have resulted in a basement leak at one property.
Edgware Road
McDonald’s, Edgware Road
Following the tragic death of a local young man at the Edgware Road McDonalds who suffered a medical emergency inside the toilet, we have asked the Environmental Health Team to investigate why emergency access was delayed. Ultimately, the toilet door had to be cut by the Fire Brigade to gain access and the family are concerned that this may have contributed to the delay in reaching the young man and starting resuscitation.
Edgware Road/Sussex Gardens
We asked TfL to fix the traffic lights at the Sussex Gardens/Edgware Road junction.
Edgware Road rain garden
We asked the Council and Marble Arch BID to clear rubbish from the new Edgware Road rain garden on a regular basis.
Chapel Street, Cabbell Street and Transept Street area
38-47a Chapel Street
We asked the Housing Team to remove a key box outside 38-47a Chapel Street used by a leaseholder illegally letting their flat as an Airbnb short term let. The Housing Team say,
“Despite our attempts to engage with the leaseholders, we have not received a satisfactory response. As a result, the matter has now been referred to our Litigation Team for consideration of further legal action in respect of the alleged breach of lease arising from the reported short-term letting of the property. Regarding the key safe, we have been advised that the key safe is scheduled to be removed on 23 June 2026.”
Transept Street
We asked the City Inspectors to investigate a fly-tipper dumping building rubble in Transept Street after a resident sent us a picture with his car registration number.
Chapel Street
We asked the City Inspectors to remove an abandoned bike attached to the bike racks outside M&S on Chapel Street. The City Inspectors say, “The bicycle was inspected and a 48-hour notice attached, it will be reinspected and if it has not been claimed or removed it will then be submitted for removal.”
Hyde Park Mansions
We asked the Police and City Inspectors to investigate a flat in Block 11 Hyde Park Mansions. Neighbours say, “it seems more like a late-night party establishment, which the whole neighbourhood can hear and it seems they are dumping waste as well without following the council timing of collection.”
Paddington Basin/Sheldon Square area
Starbucks, Paddington Central
We asked the Paddington Central Management Team to stop the early morning working by Starbucks contractors. The Team said, “We have completed investigation to understand how, despite the processes we have in place, our residential neighbours were again disrupted by works, on this occasion, unapproved. I am embarrassed to have to apologise for this second incident. We have subsequently, further reinforced the measures to ensure this does not happen in future. We take these matters very seriously especially noting that this situation has arisen again despite the controls we had in place.”
Harrow Road subway
We asked the City Inspectors. Police and TfL staff to patrol the Harrow Road subway regularly following more reports of drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.
Montgomery House
For many years, Montgomery House has been affected by a persistent leak on the side of the building caused by faulty internal pipework. Despite this ongoing issue, no permanent solution has been implemented, and residents continue to suffer the consequences year after year. We have told Peabody that the repeated failure to address these issues is causing unnecessary distress and inconvenience to residents. We have asked Peabody for an urgent update on what immediate action is being taken to resolve the leak in the flats affected, as well as what long-term measures will be put in place to permanently address the recurring internal pipework problems affecting Montgomery House.
We are also helping a resident in Montgomery House with their housing situation.
Sheldon Square
We continue to urge SNG and NHG to fix the faulty aur conditioning equipment in Sheldon Square flats.
Paddington Gardens
We asked the Animal Warden to investigate the regular siting of a fox in Paddington Gardens about which residents are concerned.
Hermitage Street
Residents in Hermitage Street have raised concerns about “large groups of school pupils gathering at the rear of Hermitage Street before and after school” and “the level of noise has become unacceptable”. We have asked the school to ensure there is proper supervision of pupils.
North Wharf Road
We asked the City Inspectors to jet wash blood from the pavement in North Wharf Road, following an altercation between three men last month. The Inspectors say, “We will request a hot flush to ensure that the stains are removed from the pavement to prevent any unnecessary distress.”
UPDATE – The blood stains have been removed.
In addition, the Council say, “Individuals have been arrested and charged. The police investigation and case-building will continue and what caused the altercation will form part of that investigation. Currently there is no information received that indicates it is gang-related activity. Two individuals in Westminster lived in Hyde Park ward the third individual lived in the London Borough of Redbridge.”
St Mary’s Hospital
The first images of what the redeveloped St Mary’s Hospital might look like have been unveiled by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Earlier this year, Stanhope and Allies and Morrison were formally appointed to lead the masterplan to redevelop the hospital. A planning application is due to be submitted next spring. The NHS trust said that if it got planning consent in 2028 construction work could get underway immediately.
https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/about-us/news/emerging-designs-for-new-st-marys
Cleaning up the canal
The best contact for anyone interested in volunteering to help keep the canal towpath clean is Sophie Ford, who is the Canal & river Trust’s Volunteering Leader for the Paddington Arm. She is contactable via email or text on 07557138665 and sophie.ford@canalrivertrust.org.uk. Sophie also publishes all volunteering opportunities on the Canal & River Trust website https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer