City Hall gives the go ahead for 187-199 West End Lane
It was the news many residents feared. On Tuesday, City Hall decided not to raise any objections to the proposed development of 198 flats, including a 12-storey tower, in West Hampstead. Here’s the relevant extract from an e-mail sent by the public liaison team:
“On 27 March 2012, Sir Edward Lister, the Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff, acting under delegated authority, considered a further report on the matter (PDU/2832/02) and decided that he was content to allow Camden Council to determine the application itself, subject to any action the Secretary of State may wish to take and therefore did not wish to direct refusal.”
Camden has already approved the plans, so it rather seems as if that is that. The developers had previously stated that work would start in spring 2013 and it’s a two-year build. It will be interesting to see whether the height and scale of this development prompts other developers to be more ambitious with their own plans for other sites as and when they come up. Are we entering an era of high-rise West Hampstead?
We have been sold out by the council members who voted for it . Ballimore have already advertised the office spaces . Its all been a PR exersise , they had been told from the start and led by the council , as to what to do . They must have had the large organic store Partridges intrested right from the start , thats why they pushed for the open square , the store wanted a space to put a famers market . The list of these things go on and on. What I cant understand and I was shouted down by Camden in one of pointles consaltation meating , why when a smaller development of just over 100 dwellings , over a decade ago , was turned down for being too dence and when a propper week long noise assesment was done , at that time,considered too noisy an area to live on ? Why now over over 200 dwelling , it is some how ok . Why are huge skyscrapers allowed in West Hampstead , they wouldnt be allowed in Hampstead or Highgate . Cllr Andrew Marshall , who passed this development , living in Camden , but not in this area , prides himself , rather sugly on bringing in conservation measures , to Hampstead , Belsize , south hampstead and Swiss cottage , but west hampstead can be sharfted . This is not just about height and over crowding . Its also about the local community , something those 7 Cllrs forgot , it wsnt their comunity , so why should they care. The parking will be a night mare , tube and busses ar already over crowded ,schools , nurseries ? Doctors and dentists ? 2 years of noise , dirt and inconviences . It is no surprise that Sir Edward Lister passed it with his conections , veiw his details/interests – hes in faviour of a 3rd runway. The 106 money seems alot , but it will be devided between so may things it will end up as pennies and the primery school they are proposing to build , will be turffing out more established busnesses from the area. But Camden council dont care , becouse it is all about the money and only the money and we who are already living hear , just dont count.
Who are the councillors who voted this through against the wishes of the residents??
The list of who voted for and against is at the bottom of this blog http://www.westhampsteadlife.com/2012/03/camden-approves-187-199-west-end-lane.html
Was in West End Lane recently for first time since lived in area many years ago. Was appalled by the level of pollution (from exhaust emissions) along the overcrowded road with its narrow pavements. If councillors who passed this development really have local residents’ best interests at heart, they’d put improving air-quality at the top of their agenda. Smog kills – over 4,500 extra deaths in London a year from pollution-related causes – and the PM10/PM2 particulates – particularly present in diesel – are known to cause (irreversible) reduced lung capacity in children: http://bit.ly/hXY73G. Cllr Andrew Marshall would be better persuading his party colleague and the city’s mayor Boris Johnson to act promptly on this issue. West Hampstead would benefit.
So what are the next steps – are there legal grounds to appeal the GLA's decision?
Perhaps the QC referred to in the objection letter can advise?
From memory, if you want to apply for a judicial review of a decision made by a public body, you have three months to do so – the clock's ticking.