Residents First

Plans by a Knightsbridge resident to field 20 independent candidates in the spring 2010 round of council elections under the banner "Residents First" deserve our support.

Like many of us, Justin Downes – who lives in Hans Place– has been unhappy with the way in which the local authority has handled works in the public realm, in his case the semi-pedestrianisation of the area outside Harrods.

His aim now is to challenge the Conservative party majorities on Westminster Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, fielding a body of independent candidates who have been specifically elected to protect and promote the interests of residents.

You might remember that some time ago the BRA opposed plans to replace Sloane Square with Sloane Crossroads. We were extremely dissatisfied with the way in which debate on the scheme was handled and regard the £750,000 of council cash spent on consultation as effectively wasted. We are equally unhappy about the time taken to implement the "improvement" works at Holbein Place. This crucial area directly outside Sloane Square tube station,the entrance to Chelsea has been barricaded and closed up for over six months- an unacceptable time.

Mr Downes' Residents First campaign echoes our own feelings about the way in which local authority affairs have been run.

It is my belief that democracy is always better served when a ruling party faces the regular challenges thrown up by a strong opposition and Mr Downes' initiative should be supported for that reason, if for no other.

Anybody who feels strongly enough about these issues to want to stand as an independent under the Residents First banner should make themselves known as soon as possible.

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03 June 2008

Boris brings great expectation

Out with the old

Many of you with vehicles over 3,000cc will no doubt have been relieved to find out that you will not now be subject to £25 a day charge, as was mooted by the former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. We wait with interest to see what changes the new Conservative Mayor, Boris Johnson, will bring about. He has been ushered into his post with similar great expectations to those that accompanied Tony Blair in 1997 when he was elected Prime Minister for the first time.

Barracks proposals

A planning application has now been submitted for the former Chelsea Barracks site, provoking much debate among members of the Belgravia Residents Association. Bearing in mind the huge price paid for the site, and developer Candy and Candy’s obvious desire to have a commercial success, we have taken the following view:

We have very particular concerns about the relationship of the development to the urban scale of Belgravia, the architectural style and the impact of the development upon the local amenities currently enjoyed by the residents.

We also feel that many of the scheme proposals regarding the original design submitted to us have not been carried through in the planning application to Westminster City Council.

We believe that the current Lord Rogers design is too functional, and lacks an appropriate residential ambience. We had hoped for something more innovative. The BRA was a little disappointed with Candy and Candy’s other smaller development, the former telephone exchange site next to the Sheraton Belgravia, which seems functional but a little uninspiring. We had hoped that the design for the former barracks would feel more residential and less stark than the former telephone exchange project.

BRA is urgently requesting the local planning team at Westminster City Council to hold a half day workshop at a suitable local venue in order that local residents and businesses can have a worthwhile dialogue with officers. The very same exercise that was carried out for the Victoria Interchange project which in itself proved highly successful and helped the council in making its decision to reject the Land Securities planning application.

Digging deep

The BRA has written a report to Westminster council making specific recommendations about the plethora of applications to dig out basements to create more living space. We recommend that no more than three units per street be permitted in one year. We also advise that the developers pay neighbours directly affected by the work £5,000 per household for the enormous inconvenience caused while such work is being undertaken. This is especially relevant in mews properties where access is generally restricted. Our full proposals can be found at www.belgraviaresidents.org.uk.

Planning volunteers
If anyone would like to join our planning committee, please contact me. We are looking for at least four volunteers plus someone who can offer secretarial help. You would need to give up one evening every six weeks. You need not be qualified, but must be an interested resident with a love for your area. Your input into vetting applications made for developments will help to mould Belgravia’s future. You can reach me via the BRA website, by email (jameswright4@btinternet.com) or by writing to me at 102 Eaton Terrace, London SWIW 8UG, or to Randa Hanna, head of the planning committee, by email at randa.hanna@mapprojects.com.

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15 January 2008

Home thoughts from abroad

We could learn a few lessons by looking at systems in places overseas, says BRA chairman James Wright

When not pursuing my role as chairman of the Belgravia Residents Association, I travel extensively to further my business interests. I am always alert to new ideas and like to see what other countries are doing to tackle issues that are similar to those that we face here in London. Here are a few suggestions.

Green light

Let our civic leaders take a quantum leap in making our cities greener. In Toyko, where I have just returned from a post-Christmas trip, Governor Ishihara is planning to plant 500,000 new trees in San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is aiming to plant 5,000 every year. Let’s get cracking here in London. I applaud Grosvenor’s link with the Jan Gehl Partnership and Westminster City Council on the works due to be carried out this year to transform Elizabeth Street.

Rubbish idea

Zurich’s smart rubbish and recycling bins ought to be adopted not only here, but worldwide. Each of the stainless steel rubbish bins can hold the weekly waste from an average 60 homes, but since two thirds of the container stretches down to 3m below the pavement, the bin looks unobtrusive. As a result, the bins fit in the urban landscape and do not scar the view, unlike our ugly and often messy recycling centres. Benjamin Wittwer, the head of Zurich’s underground container project, began this scheme in May 2005. So far, about 70 containers are dotted around the city, but the aim is that there should be around 200 when the installation is completed this year. The bins are also safe. The underground compartment opens only once the lid is closed, allowing the rubbish to fall. The Finnish company Molok makes similar bins from wood. Come on Westminster, let’s be bold and show UK plc the way on this issue.

Senior service

Is it not time for our senior citizens to be given access to services that let them lead their lives with dignity? We think Westminster should investigate a scheme operated in Stockholm. Any one over the age of 75 can call City Hall there and ask for the help of “Fixer Sven”, a handyman service provided free by the local authority. The aim is to try and prevent older people from taking risks, while trying to put up pictures or change light bulbs, or whatever. The idea was cloned from the small town of Hoganas, which managed to halve the number of injuries caused by falls among its elderly citizens and saved one million euros in healthcare costs. It makes sense to me, so let’s give it a try here please, Social Services.

Public car pool

Car share schemes get our vote for better urban planning. Such a scheme is already in operation in Genoa. The successful government-backed scheme offers citizens use of bus lanes, preferential parking, smart card technology and a 24-hour service. It also provides commercial vans for deliveries or trips to out-of-town hypermarkets. All vehicles run on green fuel and the scheme is well ahead of rival projects in Rome and Milan. It is also being constantly enlarged to cope with demand.

People power

One of the legacies of the German alliance of Social Democrats and Greens from 1998 to 2005 is a law that requires power companies to let independent energy producers transfer excess electricity to the national grid. The producers might be small power plants to residential windmills and solar-powered homes, but they all have the right to make the transfer. The law also raised the price energy companies pay for power from 10 cents to more than 50 cents per kilowatt hour. This changed the economics of solar power overnight. Such a scheme has huge potential in areas like Westminster. If you are wondering what a series of mini-windmills on our roof tops would look like, just take a look at all the television aerials in place. Surely they would not look as bad and would provide a more beneficial service.

I have outlined just a snippet of the many ingenious ideas I have come across around the world. It would be wonderful to see some of them put into practice on our doorsteps.

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07 May 2007

The true meaning of a residents association

As most of you reading this magazine will know, Sloane Square has been a victory for the BRA. It waged a two and a half year campaign to stop the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's plan to destroy the existing square and drive a crossroads through it, and won with a massive public rejection of the council’s design.

This has been a long hard slog with a great deal of time expended by the BRA committee and much heartache too. At times, it seemed like a David and Goliath struggle with the council having seemingly unlimited funds and publicity to back its cause, while the BRA had miniscule resources to combat the council. From the start, though, it was clear that we would have to organise ourselves if we were to turn over the might of the Kensington and Chelsea-based council.

Therefore, at a public meeting which I chaired, the Save Sloane Square campaign was launched. Our committee members give their time freely, and like yourselves we all hold down jobs or have run our own businesses. When issues such as this come up, the amount of time required to combat such threats to our neighbourhood can be very considerable and often the midnight candle needs to be burned to be effective. Many candles have been burned in the past two years, I can tell you!

I would like to say a great thank you to all the many residents who helped in this campaign, particularly from the BRA end: Caroline Haubold, Carl Muller, James Vallance White and Michael Ridley. Instead of destroying the square, there will now be a design to renovate and upgrade it. James and Margaret Thompson and all the Save Sloane Square committee deserve a big pat on the back for their similar efforts.

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Campaign for Clean Air in London

Air pollution in London is more than double World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended levels in some of the busiest streets near us and resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people in 2005 across London (which is more than four times the number that died from road traffic accidents). We need the Govenment to take measures that only it can take, such as setting an ambitous, robust and consistent framework to tackle air pollution, so please sign the Campaign for Clean Air in Londonʼs petition to the Prime Minister asking him to Pledge the Governmentʼs full support to achieve urgently WHO recommended standards of air quality throughout London: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/LondonCleanAir/

We urge all our members and readers of this column to register your support for our UK government to take more robust steps to ensure cleaner air in London by clicking on the link mentioned below.

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19 September 2006

TRAFFIC STUDY CONFIRMS BRA'S VIEWS THAT THE PROPOSED CROSSROADS SCHEME FOR SLOANE SQUARE WILL DRAMATICALLY IMPACT ON INCREASING TRAFFIC LEVELS THROUGHOUT BELGRAVIA

For ease of explanation the following may help you decipher the figures.

1. The number of vehicles mentioned is expressed as per hour.

2. There is more than one number for each street...this is because the vehicle
flow varies at differing times in each street.

3. The "actual" column are measurements derived from The Project Centre's various traffic counts between 2003-2006. Unfortunately their latest work combines the effect of the congestion charge and the crossroads scheme when and if implemented.

4. To make matters simple if you look at the highlighted figures and number in RED shows an increase in traffic per hour in those streets.

5. Any figure highlighed in green sees a decrease in traffic levels post the congestion charge extension being intorduced together with the crossroads scheme for Sloane square being implemented.

This information is being posted on the site in order for you to make an informed opinion when you are asked to vote on whether you wish to see Sloanes Square restored and upgraded or whther you want to see it torn up and made into a crossroads as proposed by K&C council.

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Crime Patterns for Belgravia

2. Residents should be aware of persons following them from Banks after changing large amounts of money. The M. O. is to splash substances on their coats, thus distracting them whilst an accomplice 'lifts' the envelope containing cash from bag or pocket. These suspects are very, very good at what they do. Usually a male & female team of eastern European description. They have operated in and around Banks in Sloane Street and West Halkin Street.

3. Residents should ensure that their door locks are in good order and always double locked. There have been a few Burglaries in Belgravia where the front door lock has been 'slipped' using plastic or Formica strips. Residents can always call me (020 7321 6814) for a free survey.

4. Security of door keys is vital. Do not give keys to workman who you do not know very well.

5. Although this is a very rare crime in Belgravia. Youths using scooters or motorbikes have 'mounted' the pavement and grabbed handbags from pedestrians. The last occurrence was in Lowndes Square a few Months ago.

6. Finally, Beware of scams involving emails or letters received. Although these practices have been widely publicized people are still being caught out. So if you are told that you have won the Lottery be a little suspicious. They are basically after your bank details in order to remove money from your account. You can check out the latest scams on Fraud Alert website.

DAVID PULLAN
Crime Prevention Officer
Belgravia Police Station
Tel: 020 7321 6814

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Update on Sloane Square

2. Putting a crossroads through the square would destroy it.

3. By closing Symons Street and banning a right turn into Upper Sloane Street and closing Holbein Place the ramifications of traffic flows would change and residents and local businesses fear rat running.

As an example the council figures show surprisingly that more cars exit Symons Street into the Square than they do from Kings Rd. (some 400 an hour in rush hour). Where will these cars go… the residents of the Cadogan environs believe they will rat run through these local streets.

4. Currently there are NINE lanes of traffic around the existing Square with one set of traffic lights and SIX exit roads (3 lanes opp Hugo Boss and two lanes West, North and East sides of the Square). The new crossroads scheme will have simply TWO lanes each way and three exits. The BRA committee remains skeptical regarding the traffic engineers’ findings that this new scheme will NOT involve traffic queuing or rat running. Common sense tells us that more traffic lights mean more queuing and fewer exits mean more rat running. Similar to water, which finds its own path, so do cars and especially regular commuters.

In rush hour the report from the traffic engineers indicate over 2,400 cars will pass through the Square and in light of that fact we do feel that no matter what timing is used on the traffic lights queuing traffic will ensue with all the allied pollution and fumes that this will cause… directly beside some new pedestrian areas.

What would the BRA like to see for Sloane Square.

In one sentence… a revamp and restoration of the existing facilities, including the closed toilet facility and measures to make the Square more accessible to the public.

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BELGRAVIA PARKING SPACE INITIATIVE

The following list has been put forward for consideration to Martin Low at Westminster Council and the feedback is that these matters will, if accepted take circa six months to implement and change.

The preference would be resident’s bays over pay and display but the twenty two requests indicate circa thirty extra car bays.

1. South Eaton Place. Two resident parking bays to replace single yellow line directly outside No. 39. (sufficient without impeding mews access).
   
   
2. South Eaton Place. Similar to above two spaces outside 28 towards 26.
   
   
3. Lyall Street. Two extra parking meters outside side entrance of Irish Club No. 82.
   
   
4. Lyall St. By redundant cross over replace single yellow line with two further meters/pay and display bays by No. 7 and towards Eaton Mews North.
   
   
5. Chesham Street single yellow line opp No. 12 replace with residents parking bay.
   
   
6. Opposite Lyall Mews. Redundant cross over. Extend residents parking bay in place of single yellow line.
   
   
7. Opposite 38 Finland Embassy. One more bay to add onto existing residents bay directly next to diplomatic bay and towards entrance to German Embassy.
   
   
8. Extend Residents Parking Bay in Chesham Place up to and including 23 same side as No. 23 German Embassy s/steel sign…going towards Belgrave Square.
   Create two more spaces.
   
   
9. Outside 11a Belgrave Square entrance in Wilton Terrace extend Res Bay by two more spaces where currently single yellow line.
   
   
10. Anomoly? Junction of Wilton Crescent and Wilton Place a single yellow line and residents parking bay are duelled……either one or the other but suspect it should be single yellow line in view of proximity to junction.
    
    
11. 16 Wilton Crescent Double yellow requested in view of garage access to replace single yellow as after 6.30pm cars found sometimes blocking garage access.
    
    
12. Wilton Place (cul de sac at side entrance to St Pauls church). Extend to give one further parking meter leading towards junction instead of single yellow line.
    
    
13. Wilton Place (cul de sac) Remove single yellow line outside 33 in between Dr bay and pay a display and replace with one more pay and display bay.
    
    
14. Kinnerton St. Opp No. 3 and up to junction with Motcomb St. Replace single yellow line with pay and display (also help Waitrose for parking).
    
    
15. Kinnerton St. Outside Nos. 7 & 9 add another two meters in place of single yellow line.
    
    
16. Kinnerton St. Outside No. 29 >Replace single yellow line with further resident parking bay.
    
    
17. Kinnerton St. two more bays of residents parking by Estate Agents. Directly by entrance to Kinnerton Yard and replacing single yellow line.
    
    
18. Eaton Terrace between Antelope Pub and Cliveden Place. Replace single yellow line with one residents parking bay (by telephone junction box on pavement) and this will not interfere with pub deliveries or crossover.
    
    
19. Cliveden Place Outside No. 17 extend pay and display by deleting yellow line and still space for junction with Eaton Terrace.
    
    
20. Bourne Street. Opposite church of St Mary’s and from stretch of Graham Terrace to Chester Row. Replace single yellow line with residents parking bays..circa six spaces. .outside 60/61/62 Bourne Street.
    
    
21. Reinstate three residents parking bays from single yellow lines directly outside Graham Terrace school. Still leaves sufficient space for beer delivery lorry to call each Friday to Grosvenor club.
    
    
22. Ebury St By recycling centre Extend res parking bay by one space and this will not interfere with recycling pick ups.
    

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