Kilburn Park Road: Planning Application

Sad to report that Brent Planning Committee passed the application last night.

We'll write more soon ...

Alastair, Jan and Lee

Kilburn Park Road: Site Visit

We've just been informed (at quite late notice) that the Brent planning committee who will be deciding on the Kilburn Park Road roundabout proposal next Thursday will be undertaking a site visit tommorrow (Saturday) around noon.

If any residents, wish to bring up any issues with them, please do feel free to be in the area at around that time! We will also be too.

Jan and Alastair

Paddington Sports Club: Planning Application

Planning officers at the Council have now confirmed that the planning application for Paddington Sports Club will be heard next Thursday, 24th February, starting at 6.30pm.

The papers for the hearing have now been published. Planning officers, having considered the application, have recommended refusal on the grounds of (i) potential to harm the character and appearance of the area and (ii) potential to harm the amenity of the residents living closest by.

The full papers are available here.

The final decision rests with the planning committee (who can choose to accept or ignore officers recommendation next Thursday). Please do feel free to come along if you wish - the meeting is open to all. We will be there.

Alastair, Jan and Lee

New Approach to Estate Repairs Launched by CityWest

Last month, CityWest Homes launched a new handyman repair service which local residents can call on when they've got a problem in their Estates.

The repairman will be charged with improving estates throughout Westminster for those things that contractors don't normally do - things like painting of fences or gates, or repairing potholes and paving stones.

If you spot any issues that you think the handyman might be able to assist with, please do get in touch with the Estate Office.

Lee

Randolph Avenue: White Paint

A number of residents have contacted us recently about the spillage of some white paint near the top of Randolph Avenue. The paint, spilt by unknown person or persons has stained the pavement and residents think it unsightly and quite rightly want it removed.

We've reported it to the cleaning people at the council and it will hopefully be removed shortly. The added complicated is, given that it is dry, it becomes much more difficult to get rid of. We should see movement soon!

Jan

Kilburn Park Road Planning Application: Date Set

We've chased Brent and have been able to confirm that the decision on the roundabout application will be taken on 24th February at Brent Town Hall (Wembley) starting at 7pm.

We'll be in touch with more soon ....

Jan

Paddington Sports Club: Planning Application

A number of local residents have been in touch with us over the last week or so regarding the recent planning application made by Paddington Sports Club.

The club is proposing the erection of a metal and canvass structure over two of its tennis courts (closest to the entrance of the club on Castellain Road). We understand that the structure might be up to 10m high (at its highest point).

As local Councillors, we would very much like to hear from any local residents who has a view on this issue. We have circulated a letter to residents on Delaware, Castellain and part of Elgin today to highlight that the application has been submitted and seeking comments (and encouraging comments to be provided to Council officers in the usual way).

If you are a local resident and would like to discuss the application, please get in touch (maidavale@maidavaleconservatives.com). We'd be delighted to hear from you.

Alastair

PS And if you want to make comments to officers to be considered at the planning committee (when the application will be decided - and currently scheduled for towards the end of February), you should e-mail those to northplanningteam@westminster.gov.uk, marking it for the attention of the case officer, Robert Winkley. The reference is 09/10162/FULL.

Visit to the Yoga Centre

Last Saturday, all three of us had the privilege of being able to visit (and take part in a class) at one of the many small businesses in our area, the Iyengar Yoga Institute on Randolph Avenue.

The Institute is well known throughout the area for its yoga classes which it puts on throughout the week for local residents in Maida Vale, St. John's Wood, Kilburn and beyond.

Personally, having never taken part in a yoga class before, I was a little apprehensive at first - however, it was much fun and it was great to see so many people taking part in the class (and quite early in the morning!)

All three of us would like to thank the Institute for the invitation and for the warm welcome we received.

Lee

Kilburn Park Road: Westminster committee

Last week all three of us, along with many local residents, attended the Westminster Planning Committee considering the Kilburn Park Road roundabout application.


Although the committee had no formal powers, it was asked to consider the application as it stood and provide comments - comments which would be conveyed to Brent Council when they actually formally consider and decide on the application.


Alastair spoke on behalf of us, outlining our views on why the application as it currently stands should be re-considered. We talked, amongst other things, about the issues regarding light, overlooking, design, transportation, air pollution, noise, loss of the greenspace, the lack of an environmental assessment and parking.

We are very pleased that, following our representations, all four member of the committee agreed that Westminster Council should object to the application and recommend to Brent that it should not go ahead in its current form. In fact, the lanning committee were so concerned by the proposal that they specifically asked that Westminster's comments were toughened up to make it clear to Brent that they had real concerns about the roposs about the proposal - with the chairman commenting that had Westminster been asked to decide the application it would have been refused in its current state.

We are very glad that the committee agreed with us and it strengthens the case of local residents who believe that this proposal is inapropriate for Kilburn Park Road.

The next milestone will be the Brent Council meeting - due to be held in late February. We'll let you know when we have a date.

Alastair, Jan and Lee