SEBRA NEWS W2

AND THE POLE CAME TUMBLING DOWN!

ISSUE No 86 SPRING 2016

1 CONTACT CHAIRMAN Contact John Zamit Email [email protected] Phone 020 7727 6104 From the Mobile 077 6806 8277 Address 2 Claremont Court, Queensway, Chairman W2 5HX

he production of this edition of or ‘anti-business’, nor are we "Nimbys." We for the site and sufficient value to improve the SEBRA magazine has been seek proper debate with Westminster City the entrance to Paddington Station and a Herculean task. I have often Council to find common ground on how to access to the Bakerloo Line. wondered if we would see light develop our neighbourhoods for the benefit Tat the end of the tunnel. We missed of all while preserving our rich heritage for Create Streets Christopher Tanous, our retired Editor! future generations. A social enterprise and research institute is I would like to thank Steve Olive of Missing In this case, many people felt that the running a competition for alternative, street- Man Media and also Wilford Augustus for council and developers were attempting based designs for the Paddington Sorting their invaluable assistance. Thanks also to to sneak an extremely tall building through Office site. They welcome submissions Broad Oak Colour, who will have printed the application process over the Christmas from professionals as well as residents, the magazine in record time and to Adrian and New Year period. There was a feeling neighbours, local schools and people who at Edox Ltd for his patience in printing out of being let down by the people they elect work in the area. Closing date for entry is numerous drafts for me! to serve their interests. 9th May. Visit www.createstreets.com I hope you think all the hard work has been I was often asked how Westminster City Soulless, Lifeless and Lightless worthwhile. Please feel free to let me know Council could consider entertaining an Developments what you think of the new look; suggestions application which flew in the face of their to improve the magazine are welcome. tall buildings policy, if, as is customary on The lights are out in Westbourne House large applications, pre-application advice is in and in the Queens 'Poles Apart' sought. I explained that one cannot stop building along the road. Hardly anyone an owner submitting an application but lives in these luxury apartments. SEBRA As I move on to more pressing issues, I ask believes these developments should myself why it had to go so far and how it is the general feeling was that some people in the council, along with the GLA, had serve as examples for WCC. Such luxury that the council and residents remain poles developments only exacerbate the apart on their views for local development. given their blessing as they found the public realm benefits very tempting. The situation, by forcing communities to Special thanks to all of our members, local level of discontent which lies in the wake disintegrate when starting new families. councilors, especially Brian Connell and his of this application is something that leader fellow Ward councilors,w plus Philippa Roe and her deputy Robert Davis Westminster Council is aware that many other local resident's associations for their must address. of the foreign investors who buy these support. Huge thanks to Barbara Weiss at flats are not eligible voters and they do not the Skyline campaign for the monumental A Better Plan spend money in the shops and restaurants efforts she made in getting the Pole axed. in our neighbourhood. This "buy to leave" The SEBRA view on the harm caused approach does nothing for our community. Let's not rest our laurels though as we by a skyscraper in the area has been well expect that this was merely the first round publicised. Sir Terry Farrell, a respected local of what could be a long battle. architect, was a strong opponent of the Renzo Piano tower. Like many residents and I would also like to establish that SEBRA SEBRA, he believes Brunel’s Grade 1 listed welcomes development; we understand our Paddington Station is the wrong place for existing infrastructure needs maintenance a skyscraper. His masterplan demonstrated Best Wishes and modernising. SEBRA is not ‘anti-growth’ that streets can deliver enhanced volume John Zamit - SEBRA Chairman SEBRA SUMMER GARDEN PARTY

4th July 2016 - Cleveland Square 6:30pm Make a Date in Your Diary!

2 SAFETY VALVE & LOCAL NEWS

SEBRA Safety Valve This popular forum enables SEBRA and its members to "blow off steam" about anything affecting their lives, activities and freedoms and those of other local residents and local businesses. E-mail: [email protected] THE BAYSWATER ROAD / QUEENSWAY DEVELOPMENT - "A BULBOUS BLOCKHOUSE" icky Hessenberg, local resident heavy duty slabs with wind ruffling the My question is, which I have put forward of Westbourne Park Villas, water on the Round Pond. over and over again is – why is there no writes: Councillor Robert Design Review Panel for Westminster? Davis, Deputy Leader/Cabinet Furthermore, I would like to point out A Design Review Panel would ensure NMember for the Built Environment is that ‘affordable housing’, a contribution to that these truly dreadful types of quoted as saying: “Westminster has a which will be made by the developer to ‘architectural-abhorrence’ would be rich architectural heritage and it is the the borough as printed in the statement weeded out well before they could even council’s duty to protect this” – why then from PLP Architecture, is not the same as come before the planning committee. is he and Westminster City Council hell- ‘social housing’ and that is what is needed bent on trashing this heritage? in our area. Developers have the money, but they do not necessarily possess the architectural Yet again, as local residents, we have to In addition, what have the poor residents taste required for big developments such as this; which if passed, would be write to protest about the new building of Fosbury Mews done to deserve such there for many years to come. Please development that is being proposed for high-handed treatment by Fenton Whelan support us in condemning this scheme Bayswater Road and Queensway. The and PLP Architecture? Have the architects with no equivocation. images on the WCC website show a of this scheme even paid a visit to the bulbous blockhouse which is quite out site? It would appear not; because if they of keeping with the generic architecture had, perhaps a more sympathetic building along the Bayswater Road. might have come about.

Although in general the design of the has quite delivered a buildings in Bayswater Road is a mixed total condemnation of what is being bunch, this particular proposal has to take offered to us as a replacement for the the prize in being the most unattractive buildings that are already there, and on in its size, bulk and so-called “decorative the effects that this scheme will have on features” which are apparently (according views from the parkland. It is hoped that to the statement from PLP Architecture) Westminster Council will send the whole supposed to bring to mind “ripples of project back to the drawing board for water”: quite difficult to equate these major reconsideration.

3 SAFETYLOCAL NEWS VALVE & LOCAL NEWS

"SAVE WHITELEYS' HERITAGE" - CAMPAIGN UPDATE

arl Montgomery, local SEBRA Committee and I write now to object to of significance of a designated heritage member of Westbourne Street, the application due to the substantial asset, local planning authorities writes: "SWH" have organised and unjustified harm it would cause to should refuse consent, unless it can a petition to Westminster City the listed building and the deleterious be demonstrated that the substantial CCouncil with the purpose of ensuring the impact it would have on the Queensway harm or loss is necessary in order to proposed redevelopment of Whiteleys Conservation Area. achieve substantial public benefits that retains the principal architectural outweigh that harm or loss” or all of features of this Grade II listed building The most significant elements of this for the benefit of the community. four criteria apply. listed building and its interior include the circular and octagonal domes and the These elements include Historic England area beneath their corresponding atria. They raise concern and consider the 1) The octagonal and round atria with Within the circular atrium, accessed by Plans to be harmful in letter of 15 their magnificent Edwardian domes, way of the impressive main entrance December to WCC. “Westminster 2) The ornate Italianate staircase - a replica vestibule, is a spiral staircase. Although City Council should give great weight of the La Scala Opera House in Milan - to the conservation of heritage assets they have been restored over the situated below the round atria and dome for their special architectural or decades, the atria remain largely in their historic interest. As heritage assets 3) The central pillared entrance with its original form and together they provide intricate vestibule, stonework and bronze are irreplaceable, any harm or loss an eloquent and dramatic evocation of statues. should require clear and convincing the spatial and sequential grandeur of the justification. 4) A retail ground floor with north to south building’s interior. entrances that allow visitors, shoppers We urge you to support this campaign. and the community, access to view and The relocation of the staircase and Please write/email expressing your enjoy these delightful historic features. entrance vestibule screen and the re- support to: siting of the circular dome would fail to The Victorian Society preserve their significance, which lies Several respected Conservation SAVE WHITELEYS HERITAGE Organisations object strongly to this in their being experienced sequentially March House, 14 Westbourne and as an ensemble. This space was, proposed scheme. The Victorian Society, Street, London W2 2TZ, Email: and remains, the most significant in supported by The Ancient Monuments [email protected], Society and The Twentieth Century the building and it must be preserved. and write to Westminster City Council Society, have stated in their letter of 22 January to Westminster City Paragraph 133 of the NPPF states that, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP or Council, “This case has been considered “where a proposed development will email: northplanningteam@westminster. by the Society’s Southern Buildings lead to substantial harm to or total loss gov.uk

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View of Whiteleys redevelopment from "GET WHITELEYS RIGHT" - CAMPAIGN west side of Kensington Square Garden

estminster City Council Conservation Area. The proposal will 100 plus flats, issues with privacy and is considering a planning also demolish the historic Whiteley’s encroachment – all driven by the very application for a massive re- building and many of its heritage extensive height of the development. development of Whiteleys'; assets, retaining only the façade. Residents on all sides will be impacted – Wthe decision-making committee is likely to not just those on the east side.” • Level of Disruption & Timing - A be on 29th of March 2016. This article development of this height that • Concerns are increasingly being reflects on the history of Whiteley’s includes mass demolition, digging raised about the impact on local origins and it’s polarity to the proposed out and construction will drive issues businesses - “The development will re-development, which dwarfs the with noise, traffic and severe loss of deliver a large number of expensive Bayswater Conservation Area skyline and light and risk to fabric of neighbouring luxury flats, meaning many will likely be listed buildings. buildings and in particular Kensington bought by non-residents. Flats empty Gardens Square. It is projected to for 70% of the year hurt, not help local • Whiteleys' Heritage – William take to take 4 years with no delays. businesses. In fact local businesses Whiteley’s new 1911 shopping centre • Action Groups - Two local groups: are already suffering from this; the had a golf course on its roof, a theatre “Get Whiteleys Right” and “Save redevelopment of office space into as well as diverse retail shops serviced Whiteleys' Heritage” are working luxury flats on Westbourne Grove has by the newest ‘moving mechanisms’ to promote a more mindful reduced some trade up to 30%.” of their time – namely lifts and redevelopment of Whiteleys that escalators. Whiteleys stood hip to hip is in keeping with needs of the Please urgently share your concerns with , and Libertys. local residents, conservation area by signing this quick e-petition: Whiteley was also most concerned and heritage of the building – and www.change.org/p/westminster-city- about affordable housing. He importantly - reducing its height and council-get-the-redevelopment-of- bequeathed £1 million (worth £110m massing to ensure their ‘right-to-light”. whiteleys-right now) to enable the purchase of land and housing to benefit those in need, • A spokesperson from “Get Whiteleys Or via our facebook page: especially the elderly. His legacy Right” group says - “We welcome www.facebook.com/getwhiteleysright lives on through ‘Whiteley Village’ a redevelopment; it is much needed. charity which after over 100 years still Whiteleys has been flagging; especially To view and comment on planning provides housing and support. since Westfield opened. However the application – on the council planning ‘cost:benefit’ ratio for local businesses • Redevelopment is a stark contrast website, use the following link; and residents doesn’t seem balanced. A to Whiteleys' housing heritage – www.idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online- large number of residents in Kensington The current redevelopment proposal, applications - then go to the ‘simple Garden Square could be badly affected designed by Foster and Partners search’ tab and type in ‘whiteleys’. if the development goes ahead as- contains no affordable housing - is. There is significant loss of light to even though it is shifting from purely retail and entertainment to a more residential focus. • It's just too big –The vast scale of the development towers over adjacent Grade II Victorian buildings in Kensington Garden Square blocking light and eroding privacy. The plans comprise of 103 luxury residential units, a boutique , retail shops, a cinema and gym. It will involve a towering construction of 11 storeys above ground and 3 levels of basement – and will effectively almost double the height of the current building. This will dwarf and dominate the skyline of the Bayswater

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SUPERTOWERS ALERT! dmund Hornby, of Westbourne cosmetic, which could already be made and there will be more at the old Post Terrace, writes: The Planning far more pleasant with its fine Victorian Office end. There is also ample space in Application for the Paddington buildings at relatively low cost. Paddington Station’s main Underground Pole at 254 metres has been Hall, which is large enough to have three Etemporarily withdrawn - to have its The jewel in the developer's crown is retail outlets, but has no information height reduced, BUT we had better be claimed to be the new Bakerloo Station office for tourists and visitors. ready to defend our Heritage-rich, low- and Ticket Hall, but there are possibly 4. Poor signage (as for the only sign rise residential area from the nightmare much cheaper alternatives. over by Platform 1, nowhere near the of ‘supertowers’. Underground!) is another long standing 1. Half the problem already went away problem and contributor to tourist THE PROTEST will only grow louder, until when Crossrail decided to aim its foot confusion and congestion. It would seem moderate common sense prevails. There tunnel towards the north end of the to be symptomatic of failed cooperation is already another supertower application Bakerloo platforms, and not the rush between Network Rail, GWR, TfL and at West End Green, at 138 metres, far hour crowded south end. There will WCC – nothing new there. Paddington beyond Westminster City Council's policy then be another set of escalators and Station is still a hard place to find. for tall buildings. two completely separate access areas at either end of the platforms, easing any This is just my impression from walking It is also important to examine the other overcrowding at rush hour. around and asking questions, but it part of the argument; exactly what illustrates that we need to look more the ‘Section 106 pay-off’, is for the 2. Then there is, and it seems always has closely, and with impartial eyes, at all council and the other interested parties; been, an ample empty tunnel, nearly six the claims involved in promoting the including, Network Rail, and TfL. We are metres wide, blocked off from the public, applications for these ‘supertowers’. promised a ‘regenerated public realm’ running the entire length of, and between with shops and a new Bakerloo Station the two platforms, which, one assumes BE READY! THERE WILL BE MORE with upper level ticket hall. could easily provide more platform SUPERTOWER PROPOSALS with more access points and further free up any debatable ‘regeneration benefits’ to DO WE NEED THEM? AT WHAT overcrowding and foot flow. justify them. PRICE? There is the proposal for the public realm area, most of which is 3. As for ticketing, mostly a concern of already public roadway and walkway. tourists and visitors to London, there is This could be an improvement, in a already space for more ticket machines corporate plaza sort of way, but mostly at the Praed Street entrance lobby,

GAGGING THE RESIDENTS ophie Massey-Cook, of Bark Councillor Robert Davis argues that Developers always have the immediate Place, writes: I attended a Westminster planning committees are right of appeal if a decision goes against Westminster Council meeting in the busiest in the world. This reflects them. A similar right of redress is not April 2015 where a motion was the very high profits from development allowed to objectors, which creates a Sdebated for residents to be permitted in a prestigious location – profits for fundamentally uneven playing field. to represent themselves and their developers, not residents. communities at planning meetings. Objectors are only able to go to Judicial Westminster planning committees will need Review if there has been a breach of law. It was disappointing to see Councillors to work hard if they are not to be seen It is therefore all the more important that on both sides of the aisle adopt voting as pushovers. Were the council to take a patterns on party political lines. This only tougher line, insisting on high standards residents and other interested parties be served to strengthen residents’ suspicion of design, finalised plans and proper allowed a proper voice at the application that Councillors are more interested construction management plans, maybe stage, which is their only permitted in tribal politics than representing the volume of applications would decrease. opportunity to raise concerns. their constituents. This makes it even more important that residents Some Councillors claim that if residents A disturbing feature of the planning have the opportunity to make direct were allowed to make representations, process is the tendency of Councillors to representations to planning committees. then the applicants on the other side engage in horse-trading with developers would in response employ professionals at the eleventh hour, where they have At the moment, it appears to residents to represent them and this would cause been known to surrender undervalued that their representations are simply outweigh residents who “would be no public assets in return for minor ignored by the planning committee, match for them”. concessions, such as small numbers of and there are many cases where large affordable housing units. The requirement numbers of residential objectors have As the residents’ comments on the to provide affordable housing should be been ignored in favour of the more Paddington Pole have made clear, in fact powerful influence of the developers. there are a large number of very articulate mandated in policy as a pre-requisite and residents. Developers already make not to be proffered as an inducement. The Sainsbury’s building at 88/94 representations direct to members of the Westbourne Grove, 154 Bayswater Road, planning committee in private meetings If our elected Councillors are going to 3 Orme Square, Esca House in Palace with Councillors, while residents are ignore voters’ views, they could at least Court…the list goes on. given no such privilege. make a good show of having listened!

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"IS THIS WHAT IS NEEDED TO SAVE WHITELEYS?" John Zamit - SEBRA Chairman

e featured this proposal must be "Is this what is needed to save SEBRA put forward basic objections and with several illustrations Whiteleys and kick start the regeneration questions in late December. We have in the last issue's 'The Big of Queensway?" held several meetings with the owners Three' section on pages and their architects Fosters & Partners. W16 and 17 under the heading "Whiteleys The residential blocks, raising some - development plans to be revealed". 10 stories on top of ground floor will Many matters still need to be addressed, tower over Square not the least of which is how damaging, The final proposal was revealed when the and the adjoining Porchester Gardens in terms of loss of light and being application was submitted to the council and Redan Place. Even along the main overlooked, the development will be on 17 November and there was a large Queensway frontage there are several to the neighbouring properties. The display at our AGM on 18 November. added new floors and the central dome is outcome of these evaluations may being raised by some five metres or more. determine the height of the residential Just as in the case of the Bayswater Road / tower blocks. Queensway development (page 16) this is All that will remain of the original Grade 2 listed building is the façade facing a massive undertaking. The work involves The question of affordable housing Queensway and Porchester Gardens. the demolition and redevelopment of the contributions is unknown as the report Much to the disappointment of many building behind retained and refurbished from the applicant remains confidential people and several heritage groups is the facades to Queensway and Porchester and is being evaluated by the council's loss of the iconic hexagonal glass dome Gardens to ultmiately provide a mixed- appointed consultants. and the relocation of the famous staircase. use development. The front central entrance stone façade Other matters on the outstanding This will comprise of 3 basement levels, is dismantled and being relocated to question of the operation of the hotel, ground floor and up to 10 upper floor form the entrance to the new thirty room the mix of retail and restaurant units, levels, containing 103 residential units hotel in Redan Place. The article by "Save trading hours of of the shops, restaurants, including some town houses with garages Whiteleys' Heritage" can be found in the crèche, gym and the multiplex cinema are in Redan Place. Additionally there will "Safety Valve" section of this magazine being addressed. We await the crucially be retail floor space facing Queensway deals with these matters of preserving the important analysis of the Construction and arranged around a new retail arcade character of the building. Management Plan (CMP). below the central atrium, along with a central retail courtyard. Also planned are a Another active campaign group calling Very disappointingly, despite our pleas boutique hotel, cinema, gym, and crèche, themselves "Get Whiteleys Right" no provision has been made for public with associated landscaping and public (See "Safety Valve") which argues that toilets in the shopping area. realm improvements. There is provision present proposal is seriously flawed. They for 146 basement residential parking consider that there must be a better way. The good news is that there is to be a spaces, cycle parking and associated cinema complex (although no return of basement level plant and servicing. To balance the debate there is an article "All Star Lanes" bowling) but worrying to from the owners on page 39 "Whitelys many was the loss of the large public car There are so many 'pros and cons' to take Development - The Journey" putting park and will there be an "anchor" food into account but the overriding question forward the merits of their scheme. tenant such as M&S.

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STOP PRESS Minor changes to the original application have been recently been submitted. These include omission of the garages for the town houses along Redan Place, slight cut backs on top floor overlooking Porchester Gardens, a small reduction of half a metre in height of extensions along retained frontage in Queensway and Porchester Gardens and drop-off facilities on basement 3 for the hotel.

Following on from these minor changes a more substantial amendment has just been submitted for a public cark park of 36 spaces in the third floor basement, which is welcome news to residents and shopkeepers.

PUBLIC REALM Redan Place is to be improved with new paving - slightly wider in places, new lamp columns and trees. The present traffic We do not even know if the car parking Unfortunately we have no details of arrangement to remain as now. Nothing is to be 'wiped out' on the eastern side, the affordable housing contribution as has been applied for at this stage to with its loss of income and inconvenience none of the 103 units are for the public improve the 'public realm' in Queensway. to business and shoppers that has been housing so badly needed in Bayswater. muted for some time. The matter was We also need to know more about what On that matter we are still somewhat raised at our AGM with the leader of the funds are being provided for public in the dark as to what the council is council but despite promises we are still realm improvements in Queensway. proposing with regard to long promised none the wiser. and awaited improvements to the eastern side of Queensway facing over to We are against the removal of car parking Until we receive all of this information Whiteleys. in this part of Queensway as businesess we cannot assess the full merits of the will need all the help they can get to development. Despite emails and personal requests, we survive when Whiteleys closes its doors haven't received any information from the for four years. (subject of course to PLANNING COMMITTEE relevant council department. However, as obtaining planning approval). The application is due to go to a we go to press hear that a Cabinet Report Planning Applications Committee on may be published shortly. Now that a public car park is to be 29 March. Although highly unlikely this provided in the development we will have could be delayed if the analysis of the an open mind when reviewing the street viability report has not been completed parking situation in four years time. by the council.

As we go to press a minor part of the The meeting is being chaired by council's pubic realm improvement for Councillor Tony Devenish, interestingly Queensway is being implemented, namely not by Councillor Robert Davis whom laying of paving slabs and the removal of we understand has a conflict of interest guard railing in Bishop's Bridge Road from in this matter. Inverness Terrace to Queensway. Visit the council's planning website SEBRA'S POSITION (Ref:15/10072/FULL) to see the views At present we cannot support the already expressed, several in favour application as we consider it is too high and a number of others objecting to and we await analysis of how many the proposal, and make your views known. homes are badly affected in terms of loss of light and being overlooked. Further You can also email: details are awaited of the effect on the [email protected] Bayswater and Queensway Conservation Areas - especially viewed from the west side of Kensington Gardens Square.

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BAYSWATER ROAD / QUEENSWAY DEVELOPMENT - THE DILEMMA John Zamit - SEBRA Chairman e also featured this major the adjacent Royal Bayswater hotel, now Our Current Position development at length in closed, was a very "down market" hostel in The application ticks various boxes in Wour "Big Three" article in the recent years. terms of mix of flats (although some very last issue of SEBRA NEWS under the large), parking, servicing etc. A substantial The quality of the present shops and shop heading 'Luxury block coming soon'. sum is being offered in respect of 'public fronts along Bayswater Road is not good. The application was received on 7th realm' improvements, not only around Unfortunately nobody asked for the Black December. the site and in front of the Hilton London Lion pub to be made a 'community asset', Hyde Park hotel but also for two improved probably because it was mainly frequented The proposal is for the demolition pedestrian crossings on Bayswater Road. and redevelopment of a new building by tourists and not local residents. comprising 3 basements, ground and 9 We would like to retain the three "unlisted No plans have been agreed with the upper storeys to include 55 residential council and The Royal Parks but the buildings of merit" but we acknowledge units. There will also be a retail and/ developer is also offering to fund or car showroom unit, a retail and/or that this site, or part of it, does need to better pathways and improved gates to restaurant unit, a dentist and a health be developed in some form or other as Kensington Gardens. The present very club, highway works and car parking the situation cannot stay as it is for ever. narrow paths, either side of the public within the basement of Consort House. There are aspects of the new building conveniences, do need to be enhanced. upon we are divided as it is bulky, tall and The proposed building is not everyone's "top heavy". The curvy features of the There is no affordable housing on site and "cup of tea" or as Councillor Robert Davis design, especially on the overhang on the as the viability report is confidential we do not know if adequate 'off site' housing famously remarked on granting planning main ground frontage, are controversial is being offered elsewhere in the city or a a year or so ago, against numerous and not to everyone's liking - see article commensurate contribution in lieu. objections, on a development in nearby in Safety Valve on page 4 under heading Orme Square, ''It's like Marmite - you ''A Bulbous Blockhouse'. either love it or hate it ''. Our members have firm views and one Historic England strongly opposes the loss commented; of several of the existing buildings and they do not like proposed new building. The Royal ''Owners of the penthouse (if they are Parks have also objected as the new building ever resident) will be blessed with a will be clearly visible from the Grade 1 Listed fabulous vista over Kensington Gardens Kensington Gardens opposite. to Westminster; meanwhile the public will suffer with long views of a monstrous, Without the benefit of a full breakdown SEBRA has yet to submit its view as we obese, ugly blot on the landscape. of what is being offered in terms of public are still debating the merits of the scheme Successful development of this site realm and affordable housing, it is very and waiting to hear from our members. should respect the historic context and difficult for us to decide if the merits of We have been tied up until now with the views from the Grade 1 listed park''. the scheme outweigh the height, bulk and the 'Paddington Pole' application, since design of the proposed building and the withdrawn, and the Whiteleys proposals. The new building would dominate the loss of three 'unlisted buildings of merit'. skyline being at least as tall as the adjacent The application poses a number of block of flats at 3/8 Porchester Gate, The application is going to a Planning important issues not least the height, Bayswater Road to the east on the corner Applications Committee meeting on the 12th April. It will be interesting to see bulk and design of the new building in of Inverness Terrace and much taller than the recommendation from the Director of such a prominent location. We have a the attractive Planning and the responses in the report. predicament in considering this application hotel to the west. Viewed from Inverness as opportunity for development has to be Terrace and Fosbury Mews the building Visit the councils planning website weighed up against loss of three existing would be dominant. We have concerns (Ref:15/10671/FULL) to see the views buildings classified as 'unlisted buildings about loss of light to houses in Fosbury already expressed, several in favour of merit' in the Queensway Conservation Mews and the flats at the rear in Consort and a number of others objecting to the Area. It also poses the same dilemma for House in Queensway. London-based PLP proposal, and make your views known. the council. The plot on the corner of Architectures have designed the scheme Inverness Terrace has lain empty for more and the partner responsible is well known You can also email: years that anyone can remember and American architect Lee Polisano. [email protected]

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SEBRA 45TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 18 NOVEMBER 2015 he 2015 Annual General Meeting Hall Manager, Ben McEntergart. He policy where SEBRA’s Chairman seemed was held in the Porchester Hall also thanked the SEBRA Committee to have unravelled the neatly packed with some 200 plus members and all additional helpers. John Zamit announcement of the new and improved in attendance and well over 50 congratulated SEBRA President John basement policies. Tinvited guests, generously sponsored by Walton on his 90th Birthday milestone Veolia. John Zamit, Chairman of SEBRA, and thanked him for his continued and The committee was re-elected and thanks opened the meeting at 7:00 pm to Cat valued contribution to SEBRA. given for their help in the previous year. Steven’s, ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’. The accounts to 31st March were passed. 1970’s classic hit, setting the tone of the The Chairman, invited members to take evening. some time out to visit the stands at the Our outgoing Editor, Christopher Tanous back of the hall and view the proposals was thanked by the Chairman for his 11 The Chairman introduced himself to for the redevelopment of Whiteleys, years of outstanding work on SEBRA all members who did not know him, as where the planning application has just NEWS. He was presented with a range John Zamit or “the Beast of Bayswater” been submitted and partly covered in of railway-related gifts, plus a pair of as he was recently Christened by Nick latest SEBRA NEWS. tickets for a visit to . Johnson, chairman of the Hyde Park Estate Association. There were also photo boards showing Flowers were presented to Christopher's proposals for the exciting proposed wife Janet and it goes without saying John welcomed everyone and said that public realm improvements in Sheldon that Christopher's contribution to the he hoped they’d enjoy the evening; Square / Paddington Central by British magazine will be sorely missed. explaining an awful lot of time goes into Land also covered in SEBRA NEWS. As organizing the AGM and said it is a bit per Crossrail, the project is progressing The meeting closed at 8:45 with the like the Oscars ceremony - if you do not well and their representatives were on drawing of our ever popular free raffle with thank everyone, you get told off. hand to answer questions. nine fabulous prizes. Following the meeting a reception was held with great drinks and Apologies came from those unable to SEBRA members were able to ask fabulous food from Anna's kitchen make it and John thanked the staff of The questions that concerned them and Porchester Centre, including, Mo Youssef, were able to hold the council to The minutes of the AGM can be found on the General Manager and Porchester account, especially on the Basement the SEBRA website: www.sebra.org.uk

10 AROUND BAYSWATER Local Personalities Joseph Friedmann

A Profile by Julian Hale Schwabian and Hungarian ancestors. His huge warm stove. The other was that early years were scarred by a very scary his leg was wet with blood. The piece open the door of 27 Westbourne war, with Soviet troops taking revenge on of shrapnel is still there. There followed Grove and a blast of rich smoky Hungary’s wartime alliance with the Axis various military holding camps and lice- saxophone rumbles up the steep powers. No-one escaped the violence ridden reception centres. stairs from the basement. Joseph and the terror. IFriedmann, escapee, entrepreneur, He wanted to go and join relatives in restauranteur, musician, purveyor of At the end of the war, his school years Pennsylvania, but was told the quota was Austro-Hungarian charm and bonhomie, were uneventful, even unfulfilling. Joseph full. So he came to England. Specifically is practising one of his many instruments. enrolled in an electrical engineering to Dursley, a small market town in the It could have been the accordion or college in Pecs in his late teens. Political Cotswolds. For nine months he worked clarinet or keyboard or mouth organ… or life seemed to be improving, liberalising in a factory making motors. Most of his even his speciality, the cow bells, but this even. But then came the October 1956 fellow workers were Polish. Soon it was time it’s the sax. revolution and the return of Soviet tanks. time for a young man to make the move Three months later, Joseph made a bold to London and see if the capital’s streets Joseph is a man of 77, though you decision. Without telling anyone, he really were paved with gold. would scarcely guess it. He is solid, got on a train heading for the Austrian twinkly-eyed, with a warm, warm smile. border. In his shoe was $5. He had no He found some digs and a job that was to He offers me a beer, an Austrian beer, identity papers. head him towards his life in the hotel and which goes down very well in the middle restaurant business. He got off to a flying of the afternoon. The first time he didn’t get far, got start, as a commis waiter, and soon head taken off the train and locked up. The waiter, at the Hotel… then floor manager at Claridges and night manager Joseph Friedmann is the proprietor second time he left the train a couple of at the Carlton Tower. His next jobs were and manager of a Westbourne Grove kilometres short of the border. He and with the Cunard Line, serving in the institution, the Tiroler Hut. Next year two other young men met a peasant Franconia and the Queen Mary. he will celebrate fifty years in that role. farmer who hid them in his barn (warning Things haven’t changed much since them that Hungarian police could well 1967, red tablecloths, wooden chairs, the come in and prod the hay with their waft of sausages and pork knuckle from pitchforks). the kitchen. The photographs on the walls have multiplied, though, as showbiz, But at three o’clock in the morning sports, political and other celebrities join the farmer took the trio in his cart to a the throng of happy customers. forested area near the border well away from the main checkpoints. He pointed But the success of the last half century at some snow fields where the trees had been felled to give the border guards a didn’t drop into Joseph’s lap – far from good line of sight. The three lads ran for it. His early life was an example of how it. Machine gun fire opened up. They lost to overcome adversity and fight your way contact. Joseph ran on until he found to happiness. He was born in southern himself by a house with a neatly stacked Hungary in a small town called Pecs. His woodpile up against the wall. He knew he father was a farmer, and Joseph was the must be in Austria. youngest of three children. ‘I learned hard work at a tender age,’ he tells Local people directed him to a school. me, his voice still bearing traces of his Joseph recalls two things. One was the

11 AROUND BAYSWATER

And all this time he was building up his He now has four grown-up children, Knocks to the Big Breakfast to shows expertise in his other passion – music. all leading successful lives. His wife, hosted by Sandi Toskvig and Paul O’Grady He took accordion lessons in Harrow and Christine, came from Salzburg. ‘She was to a hilarious appearance last year playing formed a band with a couple of friends, like Maria von Trapp - poor, kind and cow bells on Britain’s Got Talent. playing wherever they could get gigs, in beautiful,’ Joseph says, ‘she left home pubs and clubs. But then, in May 1966, when still a young girl… and now she ‘I love what I do,’ says Joseph, ‘It’s like there was a seaman’s strike. With the helps me run our restaurant and bar in family.’ And – luckily - all are welcome liners stranded in docks, there was no Westbourne Grove.’ to join in. more work for Joseph Friedmann. He got some gigs in the Starlight Rooms and in ‘I try to make people happy,’ Joseph says. ’s Wunderbar, but really And he succeeds. Six nights a week the it was high time to strike out on his own. sound of saxophone and cow bells and jolly central European songs seeps up The first venture was exciting but a from the basement into the road above. failure. With an English partner, Joseph He learned the hard way how to ensure opened a club in Stratford Place, off that everyone can enjoy what might be . The trouble was it didn’t considered excessively Germanic music. ‘I have a licence. Without a licence it was used to play a song called “Erika”,’ he tells impossible to make money. ‘I ended me, ‘until someone pointed out that it up locked out. The owner padlocked was a favourite of the Wehrmacht.’ the door. We broke it down, but still the club couldn’t work.’ In fact he did Many of his early customers were in fact finally persuade the council to grant a Austrian and German Jewish refugees. licence, but even so he decided to sell Now his clientele comes from anywhere up and move on. In fact to the Tiroler and everywhere. Some hear of the Tiroler Hut. At last Joseph Friedmann had Hut from Joseph’s frequent appearances found a real home. on TV – from Hughie Green’s Opportunity

12 AROUND BAYSWATER

Our posters for the Paddington Pole Campaign. These were designed and supplied by Steve Olive at Missing Man Media.

13 AROUND BAYSWATER

The heritage of the building is also of great importance and our architects Foster & Partners have devised a scheme that maintains the key historical elements whilst creating a building that will thrive long into the 21st Century.

The façade of the building, dating back to 1911, will be maintained and also restored. The central dome will be lifted off and placed back in a prominent, central position, with a new, atrium experience created at the entrance through to the courtyard. The staircase will be retained within the building and the current screened entrance to the building on Queensway will be moved to become the entrance of the new hotel.

WHITELEYS DEVELOPMENT - "THE JOURNEY" Along with the retention of the key historical elements we will also be Ross Howlett We believe that we will achieve this modernising the building to provide Director, Warrior Capital, Joint through having worked closely with many apartments throughout and town Venture Partner with Meyer Bergman. of you over recent months. houses facing Redan Place. We have been working with local residents in he journey that we started It is clear that getting the retail aspect Kensington Gardens Square and officers on two years ago to restore of the building was of paramount at Westminster City Council to ensure Whiteleys to the heart of importance to many. What was wanted this is done in a transparent manner that Queensway is set to reach is not large retailers of the identikit is respectful to the amenity of residents, Tanother milestone as we head to a March type that can be found on high streets while providing significant benefits to the planning committee of Westminster City across the country but a mix of stores area as a whole. Council. that range from small, independent start ups to valuable day to day local If planning is indeed achieved in March Over the last two years we have had services including dry cleaners and high then we are committed to working with numerous meetings with local residents, street food outlets such as M&S that the community in Bayswater at every stakeholders, Lancaster Gate Ward would be visited regularly. step of the way. We will inform you Councillors and your amenity groups, about when the building is to close. The the Bayswater Residents' Association We have designed the ground floor Construction Management Plan will be and SEBRA. This has continued while and mezzanine levels to provide this devised and implemented to ensure the the application is being considered by flexibility, and enable this variety minimum disruption. We will update you Westminster, leading to a number of of retailers and services to return regularly on the progress that is being amendments and clarifications to the made and when major milestones are proposals in response to consultation to Queensway. At the same time, achieved during the estimated three-and- responses from a range of stakeholders. the central retail court will provide animation and be used for local a-half-year construction process. The reason we have undertaken such events such as farmers markets and We are fully committed to restoring this extensive consultation is to ensure that exhibitions, while sitting at the heart of wonderful building to its rightful position we bring forward a development that the development, providing access to as a must visit destination and look places Whiteleys once again at the all of its uses. forward to working with you every step heart of Queensway: a destination that of the way. local residents will use regularly for its This will bring life to the building retail and leisure facilities. This was the throughout the day and will ensure original vision of and people living in the area want to make we want to carry that legacy forward repeated trips to Whiteleys. That is Breaking News into the 21st Century. But we want the how the building will succeed as a retail Following extensive consultation building to do so much more than that. destination and we are committed to with the Lancaster Gate Ward achieving that. Councillors, SEBRA and the We tell ourselves that we will have failed Bayswater Residents' Association, if the development does not kick start But it is not just retail that people told the much needed broader development we can confirm that 36 public car us they wanted. Leisure facilities are of Queensway into becoming a parking spaces will be provided at also crucial and we will be re-providing thoroughfare that once again is so well Whiteleys following completion a cinema, while providing a new gym regarded in London that it could be of the development. named after a Monarch in tribute. and a crèche.

14 POLITICAL NEWS

A GLA MEMBER'S OBJECTION TO THE PADDINGTON POLE

In my objection letter, l stated the proposed The Paddington Pole proposal offered 330 development represented poor urban flats in 72 storeys, that is around 4.5 flats design, will have a negative impact on light per floor. Whereas the alternative and Murad and shadow in nearby neighbourhoods, previous scheme for the site by Farrell Qureshi AM and fails to take advantage of potential Associates offered a low rise development Labour Group, transport connectivity and public spaces. of 10 to 18 storeys, high density GLA I was particularly exercised by the how development delivering 600-700 flats. the skyline in Paddington had already been dealt with poorly if you look at the So in short you do not need to build up Towers around the Marylebone flyover to achieve higher densities. Undermining ot since the Westway went and critically needed oversight for such clearly a notion often made at City an important location. It is after all the crashing through the heart of Hall at by the Mayor of western gateway into Central London. Paddington in the sixties has London’s office. a proposal like the Paddington In the first set of responses to my written NTower – 72 storey residential tower The skyline of London has become a questions l wrote to the Mayor, the designed by Renzo Piano - otherwise major issue for this year’s GLA election responses told me that his office had know to locals as the Pole, cast such a in May and the Paddington Pole shows meetings with the developers of the other Londoners that you don’t need to shadow over Paddington. Pole but not the Council while being “build-up” to achieve higher densities. very cagey about whether it had meet up As it illustrates well tall buildings often With the disparaging remarks about with government officials about the Pole. provide lower densities than alternative Paddington itself made by the developers, Given the intrigue of the involvement of forms of design. as a place people only pass through or go Downing Street in Uber’s expansion into to the hospital, we all knew the soul of London’s taxis business, it certainly gave It also shows how the local community Paddington was at stake and that’s why it us food for thought about how London through their residents associations like been fought, tooth and nail since. government actual works. SEBRA can work towards making sure that local views are heard loud and clear by the So immediately in the new year after Out of the many hundreds of letters planners. I am sure that when the council hearing it was an issue at the last AGM of of objection, I thought that our heard that 25,000 leaflets objecting to the SEBRA in November, l set down and wrote local visionary architect for London, proposal were about to hit the streets of West London, they realised well the storm my letter of objection to the planners at Terry Farrell’s letter was particularly devastating for the developers. Tall that was brewing. Not surprisingly soon Council and set about finding out the buildings often provide lower densities after hearing of it, the proposal had been involvement of the Mayor of London with than alternative forms of design. This withdrawn by the developers. the developers of the Paddington Pole. is because the high prices fetched As the initial programming lent itself to a for these units dictate that they are We of course will not drop our guard with Mayoral call-in before his departure even extraordinarily spacious, meaning the other counter proposals for a shorter if the council had thrown it out at its number of actual homes in a given tower Pole by the developers. As we all know planning meeting in early March. is surprisingly low. Paddington deserves better.

15 POLITICAL NEWS

Social Affairs

Jack Gordon , our own Special Correspondent, SEBRA Committee Member and Chairman of the Safer Neighbourhood Police Panel for the Westbourne Ward, writes on his concerns about the state of affairs in government and community.

ROLLING BACK THE STATE – THE UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL

any of us, I am sure will the rest of Europe that stands at around And it is the ranks of the unpaid still remember Margaret 45 per cent. volunteer army that will be called upon Thatcher’s much publicised to fill the breech. Amenity societies The impact on Civic Britain will be to pull such as SEBRA will be doing even more and indeed roundly reviled the nation completely out of the shape, Mcomment, at the time, when she in the neighbourhood and spending as we of the volunteer class understand membership funds in support and on famously said, as perhaps an epitaph and recognise, with local authorities behalf of our local residents. for the 80’s, when talking to Women’s ending up the biggest losers. The Institute Own Magazine on October 31st 1987, for Fiscal Studies estimates that the big We all are, in what Edmund Burke, “And, you know, there is no such thing as reductions in central government grants the 18th century statesman, called society.” to councils during the last parliament will the nation’s little platoons. We are the be followed by a further cut of 50 per individual threads that pull the fabric Yet, a decade on, we were treated, by cent by 2020. our local communities together and another Tory politician, of a slightly make the rich tapestry that is our local different hue, perhaps, to a more Now, as we know, local councils neighbourhood. appealing and much warmer ideological will need to raise additional funds construct: ‘The Big Society’, an idea through taxes to support social care Are we seeing the ghost of Margaret which has social solidarity and altruistic and the police. So, as it’s outside local Thatcher’s comments writ large and coming back to haunt us once again voluntarism at its heart. This idea was seen politicians’ statutory responsibilities, with ‘no such thing as society’ trumping as means of developing a post-Thatcherite you can bid a fond farewell to libraries, Cameron’s advocacy of the ‘Big Society’? brand of Civic Conservatism drawing on swimming pools, parks, children’s paternalism and community if not society. play centres and community meeting For, be in no doubt, one thing is crystal Power to the People: millennial style. places for the elderly: all the meeting- clear: with austerity as a constant Alas, as we walk through of places that stand as the heartbeat of shadow over our society the state will the Great Fiscal Consolidation dressed our local community. continue to shrink and our hollowed only in the threadbare mantle of austerity We are now witness to the unedifying out communities, bereft of vital support we must be forgiven for thinking that we spectacle of town halls acting as a cat’s services that is the cement that holds are stepping back in time to the eighties paw in taking on the responsibility our neighbourhoods together, will be and the concept of a Big Society is now of implementing the government’s diminished along with the lost ideals of a nothing but a distant dream. swingeing cuts. just and settled society. And, if we thought otherwise, even for a moment, I would refer you to George Osborne’s recent comments when he warned us all about a ‘cocktail of threats’ brewing in the world economy. All the ingredients seem to be there for a witch’s brew: turmoil in China; recession in Brazil; a slowdown in Russia; and the collapse in the price of oil. This all adds to only one thing: the extension of austerity and by that a further shrinking of the state. The Treasury’s latest forecast shows the share of national income accounted for by public spending falling to about 36 per cent by 2020. This is far below the post- war average of 40 per cent and that of

16 LETTERS

Letters to The Editor

News from the Trenches From nowhere, an army of amenity The History Boards Barbara Weiss - Co-founder of societies and statutory consultees, Speaker's Corner - Hyde Park the Skyline campaign writes: with SEBRA leading the way, appeared Welcome to the editor’s desk with your out the blue to threaten and cajole the first edition of SEBRA News. Let me Council, using their years of acquired ith Saturday 30 January, a start by referring to the autumn edition, wisdom and diplomacy to find the weak surprisingly pleasant and and on page 39 there is a reference in sides to attack. sunny day across London, a caption to a photograph of Catherine came also, unexpectedly, Watters welcoming Bob Rogers (me) to They were flanked by a procession of Wthe wonderful excitement of a victorious the garden party. determined Ward Councillors, who for end to Round One in the valiantly fought once forgot their stringent party lines “Paddington Community et al. vs Sellar and agreed to come together to bring The innocence of this caption is spoilt by Tower” super-match. common sense to the table - displaying the fact that I did not attend the garden courage, much political nous, and party, having another engagement that While a collective sigh of relief went networking skills that I will never forget. night, and so the person in the photograph round our side with the propagation of the news of the sudden truce, nobody is certainly not me! Nobody has stepped The most impressive of all, however, however was, or is, under any illusion forward to challenge or clarify the caption were the SAS of this battle, the indignant that this could be much more than a and so I do wonder who the gentleman is individual local residents, outraged momentary reprieve in our fight to “Keep in the photograph, and if he or anybody by the patronizing contempt poured the Pole out of Paddington”. else who knows him would care to contact on the area by Sellar and his advisors; the Editor, then the mystery, such as it is, I believe they were prepared to die New tactics will now be needed, and a rather than allow the enemy a foothold will be resolved, as they say, for the record. lot of determination, in order to reach a in Praed Street. It was their support permanent conclusion acceptable not The other matter which I would like to and dedication that no doubt gave the only to local stakeholders, to the many clear up with Royal Parks but have so far campaign its moments of true brilliance. city-wide pressure groups that supported failed to do so, is whatever happened us, but also to the very hungry and to the interpretation or history boards, Quite amazingly, I still haven’t met many wounded developer and WCC. as they were called, which were put in of my fellow conspirators; true cloak and Speakers’ Corner at in the dagger a la 21st century? Is this really Having been, over the years, much more summer and early autumn of 2014 with London, 2016, and not some medieval of a theoretical, “armchair” campaigner, a potted history of that area, but removed city-state? than a tactical and practical one, I can when winter came. say that my two-months of opposing the Still living in the hope that Sellar and There were three of these boards, doubled Sellar Tower has been an incredible, eye- the WCC will come to accept that, in sided, which attracted a lot of attention opening experience. a democratic world, policy is policy, from the public from all around the world, and meant to be observed, we are now With trench warfare replaced by that and they were based on a project under preparing our trenches for the long- frenzy of communications that so clearly the auspices of the Institute, haul, and for an even-better-fought defines our era in history, our weapons called “Sounds from the Park”. Discussions next round. were emails, petitions, objections, endless ensued with Royal Parks and at one stage surreptitious phone calls, tweets, press in May 2015 I was virtually sure the new In the face of our opponents dogged, releases, polls and consultations – we and short-term intent of turning London boards would be in place at the end of used them all, pounding the enemy, while into one big convenient cash-cow, it has May 2015. at the same time creating a groundswell nonetheless been truly inspiring to see of support for our cause. just what can be achieved, when lots of I was sent a plan of their location and people come together to say "NO". asked for my comments, which I gave. My More than anything else, however, it was comments were apparently accepted, but the exceptional and efficient team-work Barbara Weiss Architects nothing happened, and the person with that knitted all our efforts together. - Millbank SW1 whom I was dealing turned out to be in a

17 LETTERS

temporary position on secondment from Disappearing Streets that at Christmas the queues for the a firm of contractors! Passing along Westbourne Park Villas counter may be so long they will cause is like passing by a local prison, with an a danger to the traffic on Queensway. I Further exchanges with Royal Parks took intimidating fifteen-foot high wall along am concerned that this might be a Post place and I have recently exchanged most of the north side. Office device to close Queensway Post correspondence with the relatively new Office by stealth, and that the number of Chief Executive Andrew Scattergood, Most probably don’t know that there usable windows will be steadily reduced although my two earlier letters to him were once houses on the north side to as the photo booths increase. did not receive a response, and it was complement those presently on the south only after meeting him at the SEBRA side. On the 1872 Ordnance 25inch to Simon Whittle - Queensway W2 AGM that matters developed. However, a mile map, villas on the north side, had what was originally understood to be 6 railway tracks at the bottom of their Paddington Pole a stand-alone project has now become gardens, and Royal Oak Station was on I’m writing to protest against plans part of a wider project but the new the south side of the railway formation. to build a skyscraper on 31 London boards remain as elusive as ever. Street, because of the very real impact During the intervening 42 years, the it would cause to residents. Whilst I Great Western Railway must have bought The point was made about bringing am sympathetic to the need for more out the houses on the north side and back the original boards which were housing, there are very real issues no one demolished them, then proceeded to understood to be in storage, and it would is discussing. excavate 2million cubic feet of ground, seem profligate of Royal Parks if these and building the retaining wall, the top of boards have been destroyed, given the My main issues are related to congestion which is visible in the street. austerity we face in so many areas today. and pollution being created by all these developments. As per traffic, it now takes The railway then put in a further 8 tracks, So the point is: where are the original 20 minutes to traverse the terrace at making 14 in all by 1914. This resulted boards, and can they be brought out peak time, due to Crossrail works. with Royal Oak Station now being in of storage and re-erected at Speakers’ the middle of the railway formation, Corner for the benefit of all visitors for With the ‘temporary’ diversion of buses, where it is today. Apart from 42 houses the time being? Why there should be since Crossrail started, hundreds of buses disappearing, a Baptist Church appeared a mystery about responding on such now trundle down the Terrace. I have been at the bottom of Lords Hill Bridge. Did a simple matter, which has already told up to a million buses have now come the GWR fund that as a community occupied a lot of time, I do not know, this way, which is almost all, residential. “planning gain”? Perhaps a local historian and perhaps Mr Scattergood would be Said buses include sightseeing buses, which might take this up. pleased to tell me. are often lined up empty in a row from Prof Lewis Lesley - Moss Lane, Liverpool different companies. It is utterly ridiculous Talking about Marble Arch reminds me and bears little consideration to residents. of the - in my opinion - monstrosity Queensway Post Office erected very close to Marble Arch, not I was recently surprised to see the There is so much pollution on this road, that there has been a visible impact on exactly a Rubik cube but an enormous advance of the photo booths into the my health as an asthmatic. Paddington cube of scaffolding on which were customer service area at Queensway and residents are choking to death. draped advertisements for a Samsung Post Office. Despite hours spent standing telephone, all under the guise of a very in the queue waiting to get to one of Additionally, the cycle lane extension unimaginative advent calendar. the endangered windows I am not sure I will bring even greater disruption as the have ever seen anyone using these photo park closes. Is anyone thinking about I recall reading in a local newspaper booths. that Councillor Robert Davis was of the impact here? Please, please consider the opinion that this object brought Originally, as SEBRA members will recall, these issues. The skyscraper will add an some Christmas cheer to the Marble they appeared near the entrance, mildly untold burden to the road and further Arch end of Oxford Street. As far as I obstructing the doorway and giving the increase in pollution and congestion. I am concerned the cheers came when children something to play with. Then last utterly oppose it. the monstrosity was dismantled and the year they multiplied and moved over to Saira Zaki - Westbourne Terrace W2 site cleared to leave us a nice, attractive the counter obscuring the windows on the open space. I do believe that this item left hand side. This left only four windows Paddington Pole did not meet with all the official rules of open for use, which were barely capable planning and licensing. I only hope that of coping with the Christmas rush. Sellar claims to have consulted with over such an exercise in advertising in this 600 local residents about the Paddington area of Marble Arch is not repeated. Now they have advanced further into the Pole, sending out letters etc. though very Post Office space and allow only three few people in the vicinity agree. Sellar Bob Rogers - Orsett Terrace W2 windows to be opened, which means also merely seems to have concentrated

18 LETTERS on the Hyde Park ward. Yet, once the real Paddington Pole, Let us decide! It is hoped that the Sellar Group and opposition became apparent to the Sellar Westminster Council will involve The recent ‘Paddington Pole’ saga simply group, they suddenly found the means residents’ forums and other stakeholders to widen their area for the distribution proves just how hopelessly out of touch in formulating a more suitable plan for of thousands of leaflets. Interestingly with the electorate and out of sync with the regeneration of the area around enough, they conveniently omitted some the times WCC’s Conservative leadership Paddington Station and St Mary’s very important and pertinent information has become. Indeed the developer’s Hospital - after all - the residents are one about the build – but not only that - they plans were submitted to WCC after a of Paddington’s greatest assets. followed it up with a second distribution. lengthy, but secretive planning advice period, and were then considered by the Sophie Massey-Cook - Bark Place W2 I would hope that, before this dreaded Planning Committee without any proper revised plan is submitted (no doubt during or effective public consultation. Paddington Pole, POLE-AXED! the summer), Sellar will be consulting Congratulations to SEBRA and the these ‘new-found neighbours’. Thank Did Philippa Roe and her Deputy, Robert Skyline Campaign on joining forces and you for your kind attention to this matter. Davis not envisage the public outcry that mounting such a great campaign seeing would follow? Could it be argued WCC’s Geoffrey Salter - Bark Place W2 off the ‘Paddington Pole’! decision-makers are relics from Shirley Paddington Pole Porter’s era, who seem to think that The punchy flyers, posters and online everything is up for grabs including our petition really caught the public and I have just been made aware; by SEBRA, skyline? that WCC is considering whether to allow media’s attention despite the developers the construction of a skyscraper on 31 It was yet again up to us, the council and WCC’s seeming eagerness to London Street. taxpayers, and residents’ associations, fast track the application through the to bring much needed common sense planning process. It would become an urban atrocity to and integrity to a planning process build a skyscraper in Westminster, and that has become skewed in favour of A major blight on our ‘skyscape’ has been such a construction will affect the lives opportunistic developers. We are now stopped just in the nick of time thanks to of residents at Westbourne Terrace told that new plans are to be submitted the above initiative! The overwhelming with increased traffic pollution, noise for the site by the same architect who support from ordinary Londoners as and construction vibrations, to what is seems to favour skyscrapers. well as journalists and broadcasters will exclusively a residential area. hopefully serve as a wake up call to our As the jury is still out on whether Council to follow long-standing planning Please endeavour to reject this proposal we want another glass tower and and conservation policies. A ‘revised pole’ and help us maintain Westminster as a a soulless shopping mall, why not version is apparently on its way. historic part of London, and as a district use this opportunity to invite other architects to come up with proposals that also safeguards the wellbeing of its No doubt we’ll live to fight another day. residents. for Paddington’s regeneration? Yuval Zommer - Talbot Road W2 Ignacio Zuniga - Westbourne Terrace W2 A public exhibition comparing different proposed schemes, with the winning one Paddington Pole Paddington Pole to be decided upon by the public should Now that Sellar's outrageous scheme for One of the high spots of the year is be the way forward. the SEBRA summer party in Cleveland a 72 storey monster towering over our Square, in which residents of every SO LET US DECIDE! After all, unlike our skyline has been seen off, I understand that age, and nationality, mingle with WCC elected officials, we local residents are all the comments made on the first 'pass' the ones who actually cherish, protect, councillors and officers, MPs, police, (whether pro-or con) will be disregarded and respect our area. business people, and other dignitaries and binned when a new application with its new ref number is made. over a delicious food and drinks. Sarah Gale - St Luke’s Road W11

There’s a raffle, and music, andeverybody As of today (7/01/16) the number of has a great time: this is London at its Paddington Pole comments stands at 827 objections best. Presided over by John Zamit and Paddington isn’t only trains and versus 79 supporting. his colleagues from SEBRA, the party marmalade-eating Bears! According to proves that Bayswater is a lively, diverse the FT, Irvine Sellar famously said, “The I think that it would only be right, community with a mind of its own. only reasons to go to Paddington today proper and fair for WCC to contact are to catch a train or to meet someone each and every person who commented in hospital”. How badly he miscalculated, So when a huge project like the about 15/11219/FULL or 15/11220/ ‘Paddington Pole’ hits the headlines as it was the residents, led by SEBRA in LBC, to be sent notification of the new without any proper consultation with partnership with the Skyline Campaign, residents, there is collective outrage. who brought down his monstrous tower. planning reference number and its Thank you SEBRA for organising support deadline for comments. Several other for Skyline’s petition, which was signed The Paddington Pole represented a strike London boroughs, including RBK&C, do by nearly 2000 people. at the heart of a vibrant community. As this and so should WCC especially in news of the proposed 72-storey tower light of the enormity and scale of this The plans for this towering vanity project spread, residents became increasingly project. Could SEBRA verify this point? have been sent back to the drawing engaged. In the end there were over board, and councillor Philippa Roe has 930 comments on the Westminster Thank you SEBRA for your fantastic work promised to consult Bayswater residents Council planning website - 90% of which and for supporting us, the vast majority, properly about any revised version. Lets were objections. The overwhelmingly who were against this abhorrence. hope she means it! thoughtful and articulate submissions of the residents showed just how much they Emma Salter - Chepstow Road W2 Sally Sampson - Hereford Road W2 love and value the character of the area.

19 ABOUT SEBRA

About SEBRA

SEBRA is recognised by Westminster Meeting every autumn - which provides Residents’ Association, and is published City Council as the official Residents’ a wonderful opportunity for SEBRA to three times per annum: spring, summer, Association for South East Bayswater, report back to the community and an and autumn. and is a very influential residents’ opportunity for residents can get to association in Westminster. know each other as well as interact with SEBRA NEWS W2 magazine represents our MPs, Westminster City Councillors a compilation of opinions from across SEBRA is consulted by WCC on local and officers. the local community and in published planning applications, as well as traffic and distributed to all its members, across and licensing. Our fields of interest SEBRA is a founding member of PRACT Westminster City Council and further encompass: Protecting the environment, (Paddington Residents' Active Concern on afield. traffic and public transport, refuse and Transport), which is comprised of: SEBRA, recycling, planning and licensing, crime Bayswater Residents’ Association, Hyde We invite residents, businesses, prevention, affordable housing and Park Estate Association and Paddington charities, local councillors and the community affairs. Waterways and Maida Vale Society. broader community to join SEBRA and to subscribe and contribute to SEBRA SEBRA hosts an Annual Garden Party SEBRA NEWS W2 is the official NEWS W2. every summer and an Annual General Magazine of South East Bayswater

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are those of the writer and are not necessarily those of SEBRA, its Officers or its Committee members. Next Edition: The Summer 2016 edition ofSEBRA NEWS W2 is due to be published on Friday 3 June. The LAST date for material to reach the Editor is Monday 2 May 2016. Email: [email protected]

GENERAL INFO / JOIN SEBRA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Contact: John Zamit, Chairman Email: [email protected] Individual: £6.00 Phone: 020 7727 6104 Individual Concessions: £3.00 Mobile: 077 6806 8277 Household: £10.00 Email: [email protected] Household Concessions: £5.00 Business: £20.00 Address: 2 Claremont Court, Residents' Associations: £20.00 Queensway, London W2 5HX

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CITY HALL: 020 7641 6000 Website: www.westminster.gov.uk CITY INSPECTORS: 020 7641 2000 Email: [email protected] LOCAL TELEPHONE CONTACTS 999 Emergency 020 7641 1200 Environment and Noise 101 Police - Non Emergency 020 7641 1200 Graffiti and Flyposting 101 Police Royal Parks 020 7641 2000 Highways and Lighting 0800 405 040 British Transport Police 020 7641 1300 Paddington Library 0845 900 1234 Congestion Charge 020 7823 4567 Parking Hotline 0343 222 1234 TfL Highway Problems 020 8968 7999 Karen Buck MP 0345 602 3813 Crossrail Helpdesk 020 7219 8155 Mark Field MP

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