Last week, the Fordwych Residents Association discussed concerns about the number of large developments being proposed in the area. James Earl, vice-chair, told me that the meeting came up with this list of 10 developments that have been recently built, are under construction, or have been proposed:

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN WEST HAMPSTEAD & FORTUNE GREEN
Sager development (FortuneGreen )	Residential block – built
Mill Lane	Residential block – under construction
Maygrove Road	One Housing Group/residential block – under construction
Handrail House (+car park), 65 Maygrove Road	Possible demolition & new residential block
Liddell Road	Proposed new school [pdf p39] & possible residential development
Iverson Road (old garden centre)	Likely development of hotel or flats
156 West End Lane (council building)	Likely demolition & new residential development [pdf p38]
Blackburn Road	9 storey student block approved & to be built
187 West End Lane	Proposed 9-11 storey residential development
O2 Centre car park	Possible future housing development

The meeting concluded that there seemed to be no over-arching plan to deal with these developments, which are all very close to each other, and which have the potential to change the character of West Hampstead and Fortune Green for ever.

At the recent placeshaping events, residents have expressed a desire to preserve the ‘village’ feel of the area; to reduce traffic and to create more green/open spaces. These developments, argue the residents association, appear to be focused on the complete opposite.

The FRA is proposing that a coalition of local residents associations use the powers of the Localism Bill (now going through Parliament) to create a “Neighbourhood Development Plan” for West Hampstead and Fortune Green. It is proposing that this issue to be on the agenda of the next Area Action Forum – with the aim of having a draft document in place by the end of the year.