༺⚜️༻ Spring Newsletter ༺⚜️༻
Looking back to look forward
Many long-term members will know that I have served in my role as Chairman for quite a few years. Indeed, in the fifty-three years since the Belgravia Residents Association Amenity Society came into being in 1972 there have only been three Chairmen.
Firstly, Lord Derek Ezra, who in former days Chaired the National Coal Board, and secondly a local and well-respected local architect Arthur Shannon succeeded Lord Ezra. Sadly, both have passed away, but both gave enormous and well-lasting benefit to Belgravia where they both lived.
Now that I am also getting on in years, I am looking to find a suitable candidate to take up my role as Chairman and leave the Association in good, safe hands. A great deal has changed for the better in the thirty years of my involvement with the BRA and some not so good but on balance more positives than negatives.
The most difficult task with any voluntary body is in getting enough dedicated people together who live locally to carry out the workload that is constant from all the varying authorities, whether the council, the mayor’s office or indeed consultations from the police or Transport for London and even central government directly.
We have some good, dedicated councillors in our wards, but political change seems never ending whether it be over boundary changes or dependant on the local elections change of councillors or our MP. In simplicity keeping abreast of this constant change is quite a task in itself!
Planning applications are never ending, and Randa Hanna has, like myself for many years, spearheaded our responses to the plentiful “E applications” that are sent to us for comment. Due to resource, or rather the lack of resource we no longer respond to applications for change of windows or for air conditioning plant but simply comment on members' requests for help when a neighbour perhaps puts forward a contentious application. These mainly come from developers wanting to gain maximum square footage of a property to maximise its sales potential but often ignoring the blight such a scale of their project will cause to their immediate neighbours. This is where we can be effective, having a good relationship with the planners at Westminster. Indeed, many of our members join up initially due to being given advice or through our intervention on their behalf.
Credit: Chelsea Barracks
Local News
Credit: Cleo
Cleo
54 Elizabeth Street
Cleo deli / restaurant on Elizabeth Street has opened recently and has had mixed reviews. However, it is much better to have these units occupied rather than remain empty. The issue with this outlet as well as others nearby is the harmony factor that needs to be balanced between residents living in the vicinity and the need for the outlet to have outside seating to make their businesses viable. The timing of the outside dining is where the problem arises. From the BRA’s perspective, we think 8-9pm is a good watershed to cease outside dining on Elizabeth St, which is predominantly a bespoke store shopping experience having its own defined character, rather than turning it into another Soho type street with predominantly outside catering outlets. Longer later hours then present a noise issue. Please do get in touch if you have concerns or suggestions over this issue for it is not simply Elizabeth Street that is affected but Motcomb Street/ Eccleston St/Lower Belgrave Street to name just a few.
In and Around Belgravia
South Kensington Tube Station
South Kensington
Finally on appeal, South Kensington tube station is to have its long-awaited makeover. This will provide step-free access, improvements to the ticket hall, and bring the disused Northern platform back into service. The developers Native Land, we are told, will spend circa £110m on these upgrades together with affiliated developments in and around the underground station itself. The scheme was opposed by the local Knightsbridge MP and the Knightsbridge Association for being overdeveloped.
Credit: Native Land
Credit: The Park Tower Hotel
Park Tower Hotel
Knightsbgridge
Already by far the tallest building in the area, we will now see it becoming ever higher thanks to plans for its refurbishment being passed recently. This will see several more floors added on top and probably more positively and significantly rearrange completely the two-storey ground floor section and street scene. The benefit to the community will be a Section 106 imposed on the developers to give £16.5m towards the provision of affordable housing elsewhere in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
A blessing for the community, a blight for the developer!
The Royal Parks
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
Upgrade works will hopefully continue at the Diana Princess of Wales memorial playground, where over one million children each year enjoy and pass through this playground. After 25 years, much of the equipment needs replacement. The old Pirate ship will be replaced by a new wheelchair-accessible Galleon complete with a telescope, a ship's wheel, and a double-storey stern (rear of the ship for those not accustomed to seafaring terminology!). Additionally, a multi-level tree house for encampment will also be built in this original Peter Pan- inspired space. Subject to approval, the gardens will close in the autumn for circa six months.
The Serpentine Pavilion nearby celebrates its 25th year anniversary with a new commission by the Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum. It's well worth a visit to see this pioneering work which continues Dame Zaha Hadid’s thoughts by pushing the bounds of architecture. It's open from 6th June for public viewing.
Credit: The Royal Parks
Credit: sloanestreet.co.uk
Upper Sloane Street
(from Knightsbridge to Sloane Sq)
Wonders will never cease. The works to this street which have taken years and caused enormous traffic hold-ups for literally several years have now been completed and the street looks good and more attractive. However this illustrates quite starkly how bad London has become when it comes to managing its roads and public realm pavements. No urgency seems to exist, and roadworks spring up without notice with temporary traffic lights being put in place with no cohesion as to the chaos it causes to traffic. Lights are set on lengthy time cycles; works are spasmodic and often left for weeks with no activity, yet roads remain closed. The authorities will say that they are dependent on scheduling from a given utility power or company, but no one takes responsibility to sort out this ever-growing problem.
The loss of productivity is enormous and seems ignored by those in power to change matters. Perhaps we ought to have a Minister for London roads who can draw up a code of practice on timings and offer bonuses and in turn penalties for completing jobs before schedule and fines for delays in schedule, similar to such practices adopted in other countries.
Policing
In and Around Belgravia
I hope many of you will have noticed a much requested and needed police presence around our local streets of late. The police have listened to our concerns, for we were concerned especially over the increase in phone thefts from the person. Patrols are now carried out during dusk as well as in broad daylight, which is most encouraging to see our “bobbies back on the beat” once more.
We now have several acoustic cameras in place to track and fine errant drivers revving their engines and catching motor bikes which themselves can make as loud noises than some of the cars themselves.
Westminster is now rolling our surveillant cameras to combat anti-social behaviour and theft and recently another camera has been placed at the junction of Elizabeth and Ebury streets.
Should you have any issue you would like us to attend to, please do get in touch.
Belgrave Square BBQ Dinner
19th June
Finally, you are all welcome to join us at the Annual Belgravia Garden Party held in Belgrave Square Gardens and arranged impeccably as ever by Amanda Bond-Elliot from our committee. Tickets are available on our website:
As the cherry blossom passes, and the roses start to bloom for the summer season ahead, here’s wishing all of you from myself and the BRA committee good health and happiness for the coming season.
James Wright,
Chairman
Other Attractions
Afternoon Tea @ The Peninsula
– A New Offering for Children
A delightful new addition to The Lobby’s offerings, The Peninsula London has launched a specially crafted Children’s Afternoon Tea from the 24th March (£55pp), available year-round for young guests.
The Chelsea Barracks Spring Fair
21st May – 24th May
Chelsea Barracks is delighted to welcome back the highly anticipated Chelsea Barracks Spring Fair in partnership with House & Garden magazine. Returning for its fourth edition, this annual celebration of spring will once again captivate visitors against the iconic backdrop of Chelsea Barracks.
Coinciding with the renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Fair continues to showcase an exceptional selection of artisan products, cementing its reputation as a cherished tradition eagerly awaited by both residents and visitors, promising spring attractions, expert-led seminars, the Artisans’ Market, and an enticing array of food and drink experiences..
'Spring into London' in style
April – May
21st June
The Belgravia Dog Party
During your Easter holiday gatherings, add this summer retreat for the doggies at home in the calendar – buy your tickets for this year's Belgravia Dog Party. This annual Belgravia tradition will include food, drinks, market stalls, fun doggie competitions, doggie photography, and an experience pod. Note that children under 10 years old will enjoy free entry.
Celebrate the coming of spring this season with The Peninsula London’s Spring into London family package. From amenities to walks among the daffodils in nearby Hyde Park, this delightful experience offers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation for your whole family.
Belgravia in Bloom festival
19th – 26th May
Per tradition, the Belgravia in Bloom flower festival will see the neighbourhood's streets, boutiques, cafes and restaurants come alive with majestic floral displays. This year's theme is 'Seasons' with installations reflecting spring, summer, autumn and winter. Best of luck to all local businesses who will participate and vie for the several awards available – especially the Best Overall Winner, which was nicked last year by Bayley & Sage at 141 Ebury Street.
Chelsea Flower Show
20th – 24th May
Per tradition, the Belgravia in Bloom flower festival will see the neighbourhood's streets, boutiques, cafes and restaurants come alive with majestic floral displays. This year's theme is 'Seasons' with installations reflecting spring, summer, autumn and winter. Best of luck to all local businesses who will participate and vie for the several awards available – especially the Best Overall Winner, which was nicked last year by Bayley & Sage at 141 Ebury Street.
From all of us at the BRA, keep in touch.
The Belgravia Residents Association (BRA) has brought residents together since 1972. The BRA engages the community on a range of relevant matters, from building developments, waste collection and recycling, to policing, crime prevention, and noise pollution. We are committed to promoting a greener environment through initiatives like tree planting and the protection of London’s historic garden squares. By engaging with all stakeholders, the BRA aims to provide a forum and a voice for local people, enabling them to build a warm, welcoming, and sustainable neighbourhood.
Our purpose is to serve our community, and we care deeply about the views of our community and our neighbourhood. Please contact us with your views.
If you would like to become a member of the BRA, or invite a fellow resident to become a member, please feel free to share this page.