100 Avenue Road Update
Following the report in our recent newsletter we can now confirm the appeal by Swiss Cottage tower developer Essential Living has been rejected by the planning inspector. The inspector, Tom Gilbert-Wooldridge, rejected the appeal following an inquiry held 9-12 November 2021. Tom Gilbert-Wooldridge refused Essential Living’s attempt to renege on the 100 Avenue Road affordable housing agreement.
The inspector said, "The appellant claims to be stuck between not being able to sell the site or deliver the development as consented with its various planning benefits… However, I have not been persuaded that the financial position of the appellant means that the only option is the proposed modification to the S106 agreement… While a realistic alternative use value for the site may be lacking, this does not undermine the prospect that another residential-led scheme could be delivered on this site, particularly given the site’s urban location next to a London underground station.”
Janine Sachs of Save Swiss Cottage said, "We can't say what Essential Living will do next, but given the revelation during the appeal of their considerable deficit, it's hard to imagine how they will continue.” There has been no work on the site since mid-2020. Essential Living is now facing a massive £70million deficit over the project.
If Essential Living should go ahead with the project the developer must provide the full amount of affordable housing that they agreed to provide in the original proposals – namely, 28 Affordable Rent units, 8 Intermediate Housing units, and 18 Discounted Market Rent units for a minimum of 15 years post completion.
Belsize Baroque Concert, Sunday 23 January 2022
St Peter's Church Belsize Square
Concert of colourful music featuring Handel, Albinoni and Graupner
Door time: 6:00pm, Start time: 6:30pm
Tickets £15
wegottickets.com
Belsize Winter Lights
There was an excellent turn out for the carols on Saturday 18 December with a keen group of young children leading the singing.
PLEASE make a donation to the winter lights. The Belsize Village lights are not provided free! We all benefit from the lights at this time of year. Kindly scroll to the bottom of this page to make your donation.
Village Lights and Summer Flowers – YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
On behalf of the Belsize Village Association Angela King of Heywoods Estate Agents collects the donations and organises the winter lights & flowers as well as the installation every year.
Donations Please – Drop Cash or Cheques in to
Heywoods Estate Agents 27 Belsize Lane - NW3 5AS
(Cheques payable to Heywoods Estate Agents attn Angela King)
For online donations please scroll down to bottom of this page
With many thanks to the organisers
September 2021: Mayoral visit to Belsize Village
The Mayor of Camden visited Belsize Village as part of her efforts to support small business in Camden. The Belsize Village Streatery, which attracted the Mayor’s visit, holds a special place as the first alfresco dining event after Lockdown 1. It inspired the Streatery/al fresco movement across London and beyond. Notably, according to Cllr Oliver Cooper (Hampstead Town) the beautiful streateries in Sloane Square and Duke of York Square in Chelsea were directly modelled after the Belsize Streatery.
Mr Khan of Pyramid Dry Cleaners, Belsize Village Business Association (BVBA) co-coordinator Robert Stephenson-Padron of Penrose Care, Perkin’s / Pyramid Dry Cleaners manager Mr Rahman, Mayor of Camden Sabrina Francis, Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant for Camden Roxane Zand, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Camden Cllr Adam Harrison
Following the visit, Cllr Adam Harrison said: “Lots of people out in the amazing Belsize Streatery this afternoon. Mayor of Camden Sabrina Francis visited, highlighting the importance of supporting hospitality and independent businesses and helping them recover. In The Square local magazine has also just launched.”
And Cllr Anne Clarke AM said: “Beautiful day for it! Wonderful to see the excellent streatery doing so well! Thanks for all your hard work.”
BVBA gardening volunteer Luisa Vasquez / Louise Lawson, BVBA co-coordinator Aya Khazaal of Pivoine Nail Spa, BVBA head of gardening Jane Lyons, Mayor of Camden Sabrina Francis, BVBA co-coordinator Robert Stephenson-Padron of Penrose Care, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Camden Cllr Adam Harrison, Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant for Camden Roxane Zand.
First edition of In the Square magazine launches
September 2021 and magazine editor Nikki Manasseh launches the first-ever printed magazine for the Greater Belsize area, featuring local people and businesses with stories to tell and wisdom and joy to share. The first issue of In the Square introduces some of our community heroes, upcoming events, places to dine, and things to buy offline.
interviews with celebrated artists, daring designers, a psychologist with a powerful message and a resident who never knew he was making history with his universal tech invention. Producing this magazine has shown how much locals love living and working in this part of London that is so keenly connected to its history and yet regenerating too.
Pret a Manger is expanding
Pret a Manger is here in Belsize Park. The company said it is drawing up plans to open about 100 franchised outlets – restaurants that will be run by independent operators on its behalf – over the next two to three years. The move follows the launch this year of a partnership with Tesco to trial Pret shops inside Tesco branches in Kensington in west London and other locations as part of a shake-up of its business model after the pandemic.
A Pret spokesperson said: “In some areas such as regional towns and parts of northern England, our shops are busier than they have ever been… We’re looking to establish new partnerships with franchise partners to bring Pret to more people in towns and travel hubs across the UK, and we’re also looking at where we can open more shops which we run directly.” Read more here
August: The Ancient Belsize Mulberry tree
The Ancient Mulberry tree on the corner of Belsize Terrace looks very sad this year. Following consultation with a Mulberry tree expert this is due to the exceptional weather so far in 2021. The tree has suffered from a hot spring which probably affected its fruit development. This was compounded by an extremely wet July with the leaves not drying out, developing spots and bacterial blight. Apparently other ancient Mulberry trees are similarly affected. Hopefully the tree will return to normal next year.
Abacus Belsize Primary School News
The Ham&High reports that Haverstock School is in discussions with the Department for Education and Abacus Belsize Primary School over a deal which would see the Free School move onto the Haverstock site. Abacus has lacked a permanent home since its founding in September 2013. A Camden Council spokesperson said the aim is to have the new site ready for the 2022/23 school year. More details here and also read about Abacus here
The Belsize Village Streatery – 2021
Belsize Village locals are now enjoying the reopened streatery, especially with the arrival of the warmer weather. Camden Council conducted a survey on local streateries. The Councill survey reported that out of the 416 respondents 381 (91.5%) supported the Belsize Village Streatery.
News: 20 March 2021
The Belsize Village Bambi artwork has been restored. Belsize Village Business Association’s volunteer project foreman and local resident Richard Lagani restored the artwork originally created by street artist Bambi in 2010. Since then the artwork had become mired with mould that had overtaken it and the original perspex had been badly damaged. Richard Lagani removed the mould and replaced the perspex restoring it to its former glory. Read the full story
Pears Building on Hampstead Green – Update 2021
Philippa Hutchinson, Interim head of communications, Royal Free Charity reports that as part of the works Camden Council is planning to start work on the Hampstead Green footpath in February 2021. Works are expected to take about eight weeks and the footpath will be closed during this period. This will affect pedestrian access to the hospital from Haverstock Hill. The trust is discussing with the council appropriate signage to divert pedestrians.
Despite slight delays caused by pandemic restrictions, the building is on track to be completed and handed over in the spring to the three organisations which will occupy it. The work will include the new car park.
The charity, the trust and UCL communications teams have discussed the details of future communication plans with the community. We are looking at having a two-stage opening process. A virtual event later this year and an on-site event next year. We are also planning to commission a "virtual tour" of the building as well as look at ways to facilitate virtual and later in-person interactions between the researchers and the community.
January 2021: Stop the Haverstock Hill Cycle Lanes Crowd Justice Campaign February update: Haverstock Hill Cycle Lanes plan dropped by Camden Council
Due to a minor technical error, Camden Council has stated that it is looking at the plans for Haverstock Hill again. The plan was to remove all parking bays along a mile of Haverstock Hill and replace them with two cycle lanes – without any consultation. Businesses said this will force them to close, and older and disabled residents have said this would have a deleterious impact on them. Camden Council did this without any consultation – and tried to cover it up until the decision is made. Read more here
Amit Shah is requesting your urgent support. He is a Local resident who lives on Haverstock Hill, works in the area, supports local businesses, and has a strong sense of community spirit. Please Pledge your Support.
More on the update here
November 2020: Haverstock Hill Cycle Lanes
The Haverstock Hill cycle route will see parking spaces removed from a stretch of the road running from Pond Street to Prince of Wales Road. Read more here
