Admiral Property Partnership

New building on Hampstead Green UPDATE

More news April 2015 read details here...

Work has commenced on groundworks for the new Pears Building on Hampstead Green. Construction of the new building is being steered by the Royal Free Charity, the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, and UCL – who together are raising £42 million for the project.

Royal Free Building
Work now underway, 9 March 2015

Royal Free new building
Proposed new Royal Free building on Hampstead Green

Update Following the Development Control Committee decision
By Chris Fagg

In short, we lost. No councillor was moved to question the sheer bulk of the proposed building, or whether it might not be set back from the absolute limit of the RFH curtilage, although one councillor did at least raise the question as to whether the facility might be located elsewhere on the RFH site, at which a full Professor was parachuted in to explain how the future of medical research at RFH (and perhaps in the UK as a whole) would be fatally threatened by even the prospect of such a move.

Meanwhile Camden Planning Officers explained that the building was no more than a revisiting of the original Hampstead Hospital which had been demolished in order to create the Royal Free, although did not explain why the new building had to be seven storeys rather than the original four. Great play was made of the use of red brick which would somehow echo the character of the Victorian and Edwardian clusters arund Rosslyn Hill.

The applicants (really both Camden Planning and the RFH working jointly) admitted that the development would do 'some harm' to the heritage aspect of the environment but that the 'public good' (as defined by Camden and the RFH, of course) would offset this. There was at least some conditionality set on safety concerns in re the foundations of St Stephen's.

If there is anything to be learned from this experience, it is that there is a need for a much wider-ranging, more forceful, more consistent scrutiny of Camden's policies on development, perhaps focusing on and through new, funded, Neighbourhood Forums such as Hampstead Forum and Fortune Green & West Hampstead Forum (both to be found on Google), and involving Conservation Area committees, which might help to take strain away from ad hoc and underfunded residents' groups.

Many thanks to everyone who supported this campaign. There are certain issues arising directly from the hearing, so we're keeping the campaign going. Watch this space! Before and after images below:

Royal Free new building

Royal Free new building

Royal FreeBefore – Haverstock Hill Hampstead GreenRotal Free afterAfter – Haverstock Hill Hampstead Green

Before – Pond Street View
Royal Free After
After – Pond Street View


Hampstead Green Neighbourhood Group Is a group of local residents, organisations and businesses dedicated to protecting, promoting and improving the local environment and the interests of people living and working in the area.


 
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BELSIZE VILLAGE NEWS ITEMS



"We fainted alternately on the sofa"
Jane Austen in the Making
Burgh House 15 May 2015

More info about the evening here...


Essential viewing:
Milionaire Basesment Wars

BBC iPlayer
View here...


100 Avenue Road Proposed Development

UPDATE here...




PUBLIC MEETING
At a public meeting arranged by the local campaign group
on Tuesday 20 January 2015
Tesco was invited to share its plans and listen to the residents of Belsize. Watch the video...

 


 

Boycot Tesco



 

Hampstead Film Society
Regular screenings take place at the Hampstead Town Hall run by Wac Arts. The Hampstead Film Society features a season of world cinema, documentaries and must-see movies followed by lively discussion.



 

Grow London
19 – 21 JUNE 2015

In a glorious setting on Hampstead Heath, GROW London will welcome thousands of visitors, all seeking the very best in stylish garden furniture, interesting and unusual plants and handcrafted tools, pots and planters.

 


 

BE AWARE OF
MOPED MUGGERS

Beware of moped riders snatching bags, watches and jewellery.

As mopeds rarely carry passengers, please be wary if you see moped with two male riders. The pillion rider usually does the snatching.

Please remain vigilant and contact the police if you see anyone behaving suspiciously in our area.

Police

Call Camden Police on
0300 123 1212
or dial
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

In an emergency, always dial 999