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NEWS CASEWORK ACTION
Residents’ Survey
It would be great if you could take a few minutes to fill in our residents’ survey.
Labour gained control of Westminster Council from the Conservatives in May 2022. We’re keen to hear how you think we’re doing, as well as your views about your area and what the Council’s priorities should be for the future.
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Bakerloo Line – New Trains Coming!
After years of Transport for London being starved of funds under the previous Conservative Government, the Chancellor’s Spending Review has unlocked the long-awaited Bakerloo Line upgrade.
Thanks to a £2.2 billion new capital renewals program TFL are now able to get on with buying new trains to replace the rolling stock on the Bakerloo line that is now decades past its use-by date.
TFL have confirmed that they are taking more action to tackle the graffiti and improve cleaning on the Bakerloo trains in the here and now, but this investment in new trains will help transform both reliability and passenger experience on the Bakerloo Line, which stops at 11 stations in Westminster, including Warwick Avenue and Maida Vale.
Dog Fouling Campaign
You’ll have seen the posters all over Maida Vale and Little Venice advising dog owners to pick up after their pets. The campaign is backed by a dog-patrol which has already issued warning letters to residents in Shirland and Kilburn Park Roads.
One resident wrote: “The posters you speak of are around the area I live in and have proved to be very successful, no more fouling. Hope they are displayed in most streets in Westminster. It’s made a big difference.”
If you have any information about dog fouling hotspots, please share them with the Council via this survey.
A Bright Future For The Lodge
We’re delighted to announce that Park Lodge, a disused building at the entrance to Paddington Recreation Ground, will be converted into much-needed specialist housing for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
The project, led by Labour Westminster Council, will transform the derelict site into two high-quality, self-contained studio flats, complete with communal areas and dedicated staff support. The new homes will provide a safe, comfortable, and accessible living environment specifically tailored to the needs of neurodivergent residents. There’s more information on our website.
Topping Out at Carlton Dene
Councillors Geoff Barraclough and Nafiska Butler-Thalassis joined the construction team to celebrate “topping out” of the new Carlton Dene development – the moment the development reaches its highest point.
Once complete in Spring 2026, the development will provide 65 truly affordable extra care homes and 22 family-sized apartments for affordable rent, as well as new green space, a community café, hairdressers and a resident lounge.
Lanark Road
Working with the City Inspector, we’ve got UK Power Networks to partially shield its sub-station on Lanark Road. The area had become a magnet for flytipping and the new gate should act as a deterrent.
Essendine Road Pavements
We understand that the long-delayed project to refurbish the pavements on Essendine Road will begin during the school summer holidays.
Philip Mole House
We have been in touch with Octavia Housing Association about the bin-store at Philip Mole House, at the junction of Chippenham and Lanhill Roads. This is badly designed and frequently overflows, leading to opportunistic flytipping, which only makes matters worse.
Octavia’s head of estate services wrote: “ I believe the current bin location is not suitable for the scheme in the long term. To address ongoing issues with fly-tipping and misuse, we are exploring the possibility of relocating the bins to a more secure and controlled area.”
Widley Road – New Block
The developers have completed a further round of consultation on the proposals to build a new block of flats on the site of the old garage. More details here.
New housing is very welcome. The latest proposals are an improvement on the scheme refused by the planning inspector on appeal in 2018, but neighbouring residents still have serious concerns; including about the design (especially at the rear), the impact of daylight/sunlight on Southwold Mansions and the likely affordable housing contribution.
We’re expecting a formal planning application later this year and will keep everyone updated.
80th Anniversary of VE Day
You may have seen the large mural at Paddington Rec to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Oak Tree House
We brought together residents from Oak Tree House and senior officers from the Council’s Housing Department to discuss works that are needed to improve the block and to ensure refuse is collected appropriately and gardens are well-maintained.
We have a list of works that need to be done and will be following up with housing officers.
Latest Cycle Hangars
There are 81 people on the waiting list for spaces in cycle hangars in Maida Vale. This is the most of any ward in Westminster so we’re pleased that the Council is consulting on plans to install three new ones. However, we appreciate that not all residents are pleased with the proposed locations and we will be following this up with Council officers. You can download the detailed plans here
BBC Studios
Plans for a thorough refurbishment of Maida Vale Studios have been approved by Westminster Council’s Planning Committee. The site has been bought by a consortium led by Hans Zimmer, the famous music composer and will be used for film and TV production.
The new plans give new life to an historic building, and we’re pleased that the new owners are committed to developing links with the local community, including the new North Paddington Creative Enterprise Zone. This should help young people from the area develop their careers in the creative arts.
Mindful of the impact of both the construction phase and the likely increasingly intensive use of the building, Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis addressed the Committee on behalf of residents of Delaware Mansions.