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Ceremonial in Hyde Park – The Major General’s annual inspection of the Household Cavalry

THE CHAIRMAN’S REview Welcome to the 56th Knightsbridge consultation (page 38) – and our two Boroughs but also in other Association annual report! Some congratulations go to its authors for parts of central London. The Guilds or Livery Companies have the speed with which this complex positive impression created by existed for 500 years or more – document has been drawn up. this construction activity, and with a mixture of good fortune and the resulting acres of new flats, During the year, and rather to our stewardship – but fifty-six years for masksthe reality of who is actually surprise, we identified a serious an amenity society is an equally going to live in them and that they lacuna in the provision of high- impressive statement of resolve are unlikely to address London’s speed fibre broadband in certain given the transience of residents and chronic shortage of affordable parts of Knightsbridge, occasioned the voluntary nature of their work. housing. by Openreach’s refusal to invest in This year has brought challenges upgrading relevant infrastructure, We have maintained membership and rewards, as set out later in unless funded by residents numbers by appealing to new this report. The challenges remain themselves. Having taken matters audiences through the development familiar: the deteriorating state of up with WCC councillors and MPs of digital communications – like the eBulletin – that complement Brompton Road; cumulative impacts we will be approaching alternative the annual report and newsletters. of licensing and planning decisions; infrastructure providers in 2018 We are keen that younger people encroachment of tables and chairs (page 41) into the public realm; poor air take an interest in KA’s activities quality; and the sheer number Our Autumn newsletter recognised participating in committee work of public consultations that even the considerable pressure on local where compatible with busy working the most ably staffed residents’ authorities’ resources as the impact lives. The stewardship of the last associations struggle to digest and of the fire at ripples fifty-six years cannot be allowed to respond to in the time allotted. across the sector. In response to this falter as we cross the generational – and prolonged under investment fault line! There is sunshine too: we have had in Knightsbridge’s public realm – we success in moderating planning hope you enjoy dipping into this continue to advocate an increase in applications (pages 16 – 22) while year’s Annual Report which includes Council Tax. knocking back some of the more topical articles on air quality, the aggressive licensing requests (page We also question the effect the impact of business rates on the high 24). We have worked closely with UK’s insatiable need for foreign street, tree diseases in the Royal our Neighbourhood Forum whose inward investment is having on Parks and an illustrated History of Plan has now been submitted the provision of affordable rented Hyde Park itself. to WCC for its Regulation 16 accommodation, not only in our Melville Haggard Chairman

15 PLANNING & CONSERVATION REPORT Edward Davies-Gilbert and Carol Seymour-

HYDE PARK BARRACKS THE ESTATES Things may be rumbling on in the THE KNIGHTSBRIDGE ESTATE K1 background but nothing much is emerging into the public domain. An enquiry to the Government Property Unit received the following response: ‘the MOD is investigating how best to deliver State Ceremonial and Public Duties in London, which includes the use of Hyde Park Barracks, and are conducting detailed assessment studies to determine the best way forward and consulting local authorities, as part of this work. No decisions have yet been taken on future arrangements.’ Works to redevelop K1, The contact the K1 team at 0808 Knightsbridge Estate, are now well 281 9554 or on construction@ underway. The site comprises the cascadepr.co.uk. northern end of The Knightsbridge Estate, bounded by Brompton 55-91 KNIGHTSBRIDGE Road, Sloane Street, Basil Street and Hoopers Court. The demolition works to 33–35 Brompton Road are now complete, providing access to the main part of the site to continue demolition. A Façade Retention System (FRS) with scaffolding and noise mitigation has been erected around the entirety of the K1 site. Demolition is on schedule to be completed in March 2018.

However an The developers are working View of the demolition behind article appearing in October closely with London Underground the retained façade indicated that the MoD were on future improvements to the rethinking their plans for the Knightsbridge Underground Demolition of the whole block barracks having failed to identify Station, including a new relocated behind the retained Knightsbridge a suitable alternative site within access on Brompton Road and façade is now complete, with the 30 minutes’ ride of Horse Guards facilitating a new step-free access building demolished down to the Parade and on account of the at Hoopers Court. Exits 3 and 4 existing basement. As mentioned terror threat level being raised to at the corner of Brompton Road “critical”. and Sloane Street are planned for in the Autumn newsletter, Skanska, closure by the end of 2017. Exits who were the main contractors, The barracks and stabling will 1, 2 (by the Mandarin Oriental have handed over to Blue Sky remain on one half of the site, and Harvey Nichols) and the Building who will manage the site leaving just enough space for a exit by will remain open throughout the next phase. smaller number of luxury apartment throughout the works. Construction blocks to be built on the other half. This next phase sees the installation works are scheduled to begin at One major logistical hurdle would of interlocking piles to create the the site in Spring 2018. be how to site some of the stabling second level basement. Piling on below ground level to save space To receive the newsletter, join the the north side of Knightsbridge without jeopardising the welfare or K1 Construction Neighbourhood elevation commenced in late safety of the horses. Liaison Group, or for general November, with piling on the enquiries about construction or southern (Duplex Ride) elevation demolition works at the site, please taking place in the New Year.

16 Basement excavation will take place redevelopment will take about 18 between the 2nd and 4th quarters months to complete and the gallery of 2018; superstructure construction building is expected to open in the between the 4th quarter 2018 and summer of 2019. the third quarter 2019; and the internal fitting out between the 2nd South Kensington Estates is quarter 2019 and the 3rd quarter continuing to work on improving the 2020. mix of tenants in their retail parade on the south side of Brompton Rd Any queries to: 55knightsbridge@ (from Ovington Gardens to Thurloe fourcommunications.com Square). When the opportunity arises SOUTH KENSINGTON ESTATE leases are being ended to bring (SKE) 1–5 Cromwell Place in new retail tenants, usually with a design element to their offering. Planning permission has been Key to this is the retail development obtained for the Cromwell Place The pavilion to the rear of 1-5 Cromwell Place project at 197-205 Brompton Rd art gallery buildings in South which is due to commence in July Kensington designed by the resident galleries it will enable regional 2018. The five current shop units architects Buckley Gray Yeoman. and international galleries to bring (including Costa and Boots) will The scheme involves the restoration exhibitions to London. of five listed buildings and the be renovated and consolidated to Construction commenced in construction of a pavilion and create one retail flagship store. This basement storage area, which will November, and the period of most will enable the Estate to bring in house 25 art gallery businesses disruptive work is expected to be a good quality anchor tenant, and and 16 exhibition rooms. As well the demolition phase which will be will help to facilitate a better mix of as providing display space for the between February and May 2018. The businesses in that area.

ALBERTOPOLIS

Prince Albert was the driving force THE V&A’s NEW EXHIBITION behind the and President of the Royal Commission. ROAD QUARTER The name ‘’ seems to Opened with a great fanfare by the have been coined in the 1850s to Duchess of Cambridge in June, the celebrate and somewhat satirise new gallery served for one week as his role in Victorian cultural the site of a series of performances life. After his death the term fell and interventions. September into disuse. It was revived by saw the opening of the inaugural architectural historians in the 1960s exhibition, Opera: Passion Power and popularised by the nascent and Politics. conservation movement to bring Met with enthusiasm by press attention to the complex of public and public alike, the new galleries

Victorian buildings and the ©Hufton+Crow surrounding Victorian houses built on the Commissioners’ estate, that were threatened by the expansion and development of Imperial There is a central axis between College. the in to the north and the central The following items are all portal of the Natural History Museum. within the area covered by Albertopolis. This is the name given to the mainly cultural area centred on and takes its name The Sackler Courtyard and Cafe, from Prince Albert. Following the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter. advice of the Prince the area was Front Cover picture: purchased by the Royal Commission The Aston Webb Screen, the for the Exhibition of 1851 with the V&A Exhibition Road Quarter. profits made from the Exhibition Both designed by AL_A which took place in Hyde Park. ©Hufton+Crow

17 and open air space are accessed history. Visitors will first come into Fundraising efforts are ongoing and via Exhibition Road through the contact with the concept of Deep works are due to begin in January slightly truncated Aston Webb Time and start to understand their 2020. It will open to the public in screen. It has greatly enhanced place in the history of the world. September 2021. the experience of visitors to the They will be taken on a journey Exhibition Road Cultural Quarter. from the origins of life through to SCIENCE MUSEUM Long-standing members will the present day. A timeline will remember the fiasco of Polish- look at how life has changed over American architect Daniel the incredibly long history of the Libeskind’s Spiral, a building Earth, while evocative planting resembling a series of tumbling specimens will highlight the boxes, which would have been variety in species during this time. inserted into the courtyard space on Exhibition Road. Although much disliked by the KA and other groups, RBKC granted permission. In the event it proved impossible to raise the necessary funding, The old Sorting Office in and in 2004 the Museum came to Imperial Institute Road the conclusion that in any case it would not have provided sufficient In late July the Science Museum exhibition space and the scheme submitted a planning application was dropped. for the former PO sorting office to be used as an exhibition, meeting, NATURAL HISTORY lecture, performance, corporate MUSEUM The magnificently restored railings events space and members’ room. This was followed by a separate A spectacular bronze Diplodocus planning application at the sculpture will draw visitors from beginning of August to convert the into the grounds former medicine galleries on the and they will be able to fully 4th & 5th floors into a commercial comprehend the strangeness of events space. dinosaurs’ natural environment It was claimed that these proposed and the Museum’s expert event areas were to replace the loss knowledge of Diplodocus of the spaces in the Smith Centre. behaviour. However, by combining the old sorting office and the 4th & 5th floors approximately 3000 m2 of floor space would be created, some 3.25 times larger than at present. The Association felt this could cause problems to local residents, especially at night, if the number of events weren’t tightly controlled The Duchess of Cambridge, Patron, and strict conditions imposed. Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael There were a number of concerns Dixon, Director of the Natural History including the number of security Museum at the gala opening. Cgi of the eastern grounds with personnel on duty at any one Dippy centre stage time; the catering arrangements, Following the gala re-opening of especially waste disposal, in the main entrance hall, now named Full planning permission was particular glass; hours of operation Hintze Hall, by the Duchess of granted in July 2016 for this and dispersal arrangements. ambitious scheme designed by Cambridge in July, the Museum is In our submission to the council we being reorganised to follow Alfred architect Niall McLaughlin and asked that these two applications Waterhouse’s original design. landscape artist Kim Wilkie. It be considered together. We The Eastern grounds will focus on includes an attractive new space pointed out that the V&A and NHM the past history of life on Earth, under the retained East Lawn, and were also in the market for out-of- including how life has evolved and a new entrance from the Museum hours events and the numbers of the major extinctions that occur Tunnel which will do much to people coming to the area would several times through geological alleviate the long queues. be substantial.

18 We are well aware of the financial team from January 2018, to start and ’s historic Great challenges museums face and teaching on the upper floors. Exhibition of 1851, the success of their need to find creative ways to On the campus west of Exhibition which funded the creation of the make up any shortfall in income. Road refurbishment of the City area now known as Albertopolis. However, we felt that these two & Guilds building has been The project is to be completed schemes taken together were completed; improvements to the over the next two years. overly ambitious. In the event, Library infrastructure are due for Also in anticipation of their 150th RBKC granted permission with completion in summer 2018. conditions. birthday, they are undertaking extensive renovation and cleaning White City Campus IMPERIAL COLLEGE on the North side of the building. The Molecular Sciences Hub South Kensington Campus (Dept of Chemistry) will be ready ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC Weeks Hall, Princes Gardens for occupation in mid-2018; the Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub is under construction for completion in mid- 2019 and the 34 storey residential tower (for the private-rented sector) is under construction with completion planned for early 2019.

ROYAL ALBERT HALL

The South West Quadrant Former Chairman, Lord Winston (4th right) Director Dr. Colin Lawson (3rd right) and architect John Simpson (right) accompanied by RCM trumpeters gets things underway Refurbishment and reconfiguration of the interior of the 1960s More Music, the £40 million Grade II Listed building to provide philanthropic campaign to invest in academic use was on schedule to the Royal College of Music’s South complete by Christmas. Kensington campus, outlined in last year’s Report, began in the summer The Nursery, nos. 8 – 9 when contractors Gilbert-Ash Princes Gardens demolished some existing buildings Refurbishment works are proposed The great excavation in order to make way for the new for the second half of 2018 spaces. This once in a generation As they approach their 150th development will ensure the Nos. 8-13 Princes Gardens anniversary in 2021, they are Royal College of Music maintains its position as a world leading The College is considering options excavating a two-storey, double provider of music education with for future use. height basement to provide much- needed space for artists, crew and two new performance spaces, a Nos. 14-15 Princes Gardens promoters . The excavation will new museum and better access and facilities for visitors just part of As above, but they are considering also enable them to provide more facilities for their audiences within the scheme’s ambition. Completion use as temporary accommodation will be in 2019. for the Nursery school whilst the the Hall. refurbishment works are carried. The project has been fondly THE EXHIBITION ROAD nicknamed ‘The Great Excavation’, Dyson Business School, as a tribute to Prince Albert CULTURAL GROUP Exhibition Road The Exhibition Road Cultural Group Work on conversion of the old was formed several years ago to Post Office building will continue bring together the leading cultural through to September 2018 ready and educational organisations for the start of the new academic in South Kensington - home of year. However they expect to science, arts and inspiration - within enable first access for the Dyson the area known as Albertopolis - see above. The City & Guilds Building now Examples of its collaborations refurbished include a music festival; a day

19 of free events for young people • Restoration of the bullnose from 13–19 years providing career (the curved front of the station) advice from leading designers, and addition of a first floor to scientists and artists. provide commercial space

Discover South Kensington is an • Opening up and making use initiative of the ECRG to promote of currently redundant areas what’s on and share news in the to allow development along area. Pelham Street • Appropriate development along OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS Pelham Street with new homes and commercial space, restoring South Kensington Station the active frontages to this side of the street summer of 2018 with basement excavation running from • Refurbishment of 20-34 Thurloe summer 2018 to the winter. The Street, creating a new station superstructure and fitting out taking entrance with step-free access to about 18 months with completion the District and Circle lines due in summer 2020. The Mandarin Oriental Currently the hotel’s spa and gym are still open for hotel guests and In September last year, The members, although the pool’s Mandarin Oriental, embarked on roof no longer opens and the gym Northern platform an extensive multimillion-pound has been relocated to the former restoration swathing the front Following on from last year’s Koffman’s restaurant on the corner of the building in scaffolding. Report, TfL have now submitted a of Knightsbridge and Wilton Place. Internationally renowned designer, listed building application for works Joyce Wang was commissioned to A planning application for to the station. The application oversee the design of the hotel’s amendments to the consented is the culmination of two years rooms and suites, while Adam D. scheme, seen by the KA and local of discussion and engagement Tihany oversaw the refurbishment residents earlier in the year, was with the planners, local residents of the two award winning submitted to WCC in August. – including the KA – and other restaurants, Bar Boulud and Dinner. interested parties to ensure that Any queries to: The scaffolding was removed by the appropriate station design has 33-39knightsbridge@ the beginning of August revealing been developed, which enhances fourcommunications.com the extensive renovation work and supports the station’s current that had also been carried out setting whilst continuing to serve HARRODS on the Knightsbridge front. The local residents, alongside the second phase of the restoration millions of visitors who arrive each has commenced, with a focus year. The design also safeguards on the countryside of the hotel. provision of step-free access which Guest rooms and suites facing TfL plan to deliver by 2022, to both Hyde Park will be fully restored, District and Circle line platforms along with The Ballroom and The and the museum tunnel. Loggia, whilst two new penthouse TfL are searching for a long- suites with wrap around terraces term joint venture development will be added to the ninth floor, partner to work with them to offering unparalleled views of the restore and develop their land London skyline. Additionally, Adam around the station. By refurbishing D. Tihany will work on expanding existing buildings and creating the spa facilities with a new Harrods has been granted new opportunities along Pelham Mandarin Oriental Spa Studio The permission to reinstate historic Street, they hope to enhance the completion of the second phase is features to their ground floor area while also respecting the scheduled for summer 2018. station’s unique heritage setting. facades. This will include two original Edwardian Baroque They hoped to have identified a The Berkeley ‘preferred partner’ by end 2017. entrances on Brompton Road, 33-39 Knightsbridge retractable awnings and the The main elements of development Demolition of these two buildings, lost façade elements of the will include: part of The Berkeley was Brompton Road display windows, • Restoration of the historic shop completed by November. Piling and associated internal window fronts along Thurloe Street and was expected to commence in refurbishment; and the addition the station arcade December, continuing until the of a canopy over door 5 in Hans

20 Crescent. The first phase – Hans market following his assassination. permission to increase the living Crescent – has been completed. At that time it was supposedly rocket accommodation in this Grade II Work to the Brompton Road façade and bullet-proof with ugly blue listed house, to 22,000sq.ft – more will be carried out in 2019. The KA is reflecting windows. than tripling it in size. This included several layers of basement to house always keen to see the restoration of The current revisions involve a pool, a spa, media room and a heritage features and fully supported demolition behind retained facades car lift. Work started – the house the scheme. and include alterations to the was stripped out and the garden exterior to regain the external excavated to a depth of some 30 2-8 RUTLAND GATE appearance and grandeur of four ft. Work stopped when the workers substantial houses; replacing the Western terrace at the top downed tools in 2008, the bank lost individual porticos; reinstating foreclosed, the owner went to of Rutland Gate facing the missing tall chimneys and expressing gaol, and in 2011 it was sold to the Barracks party walls where visible above roof current owner for £28m. Further level in painted stucco masonry; revisions were consented by RBKC adapting the roofline and removing culminating in the most recent one in the 80s double mansard; raising 2016. In spite of promises that work the ridge height to add verticality would again commence, nothing and to screen roof mounted plant; happened. The garden remains a re-establishing a traditional hierarchy 30ft hole dominated by a retaining for the windows which would be structure of heavy duty struts to reglazed in clear glass. prevent the sides falling in. LANCELOT PLACE In September,the company owning the house, seemingly registered in No. 15 and 1 Trevor Walk BVI, was taken into receivership and liquidators appointed. It was then This development, granted planning put on the market for £25 million, £3 permission in February 2016, seems million less than the current owner In 2016 permission was granted to to be on hold. convert the building from a single paid for it. house into 13 flats with significant Nos. 3-11 As we go to press it seems a buyer improvements to the pastiche 19th has come forward and paid the In the summer there was further century facades. It was previously asking price. consultation on revised plans for this rebuilt in the 80s when the last terrace, but no planning application remaining Victorian terrace house 31-32 Rutland Gate has yet been submitted. and the modernist 30s flats which, Although planning permission was post war, housed the German SOME PROGRESS granted in 2013 to convert these Consulate, were demolished to be Grade 11 listed houses, formerly replaced by a rather clumsy attempt 31 Brompton Square home to the Sudanese diplomatic at a period terrace containing four service, nothing has since happened, flats with individual swimming pools. This long-running saga has reached and with the property market in Subsequently converted to a single another watershed. its current state, it is unlikely that house for the then Lebanese prime To recap, to the KA’s surprise, and further progress will be made for the minister, it was once more on the horror in 2004 RBKC gave planning foreseeable future.

HYDE PARK AND KENSINGTON GARDENS

In July, the Prince of Wales, in his capacity as the first Patron launched the new charity, The Royal Parks (TRP), an amalgamation of the Royal Parks Agency and the Royal Parks Foundation. Over time TRP is expected to slowly step away from Government and Ministers, which, to quote Lloyd Grossman, Andrew Scattergood, the chief Chairman of The Royal executive, will ‘free the Parks from Parks, Prince Charles a number of government controls, and Andrew Scattergood and see evolution not revolution, at the launch

21 and no dramatic change’. The KA been at the forefront of the project hopes this does not lead to any and the design meets the highest increase in the number of major environmental standards. 99% of events entailing huge areas being materials from the demolished fenced off for long periods of time. nursery have been recycled. TRP expect to see a continuing cut in government funding, which has Sheep May Safely Graze declined from around 95% in 2001 to around 25% in 2017, although they will continue to receive funding as part of their contract for services, which include supporting ceremonial and national events. work, with the full archaeological investigations scheduled for late The future challenges facing 2018 and the build beginning in the parks include generating earnest in early 2019. sufficient income, managing an The new garden designed by Tod ever-developing array of pests Longstaffe-Gowan, inspired by the and diseases (see page 28), and 18th century garden, will frame the coping with the ever-growing views of this beautiful building. popularity of the parks – not helped by social media facilitating SERPENTINE PAVILION 2017 ad hoc and unauthorised events and satnav directing cyclists away Inspired by a large tree used as a from the super cycle highway on to meeting place in his native village The Royal Parks project to pedestrian paths. of Gando, architect Francis Kéré understand the grassland brought a piece of Burkina Faso to The Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens invertebrates – wasps, bees, London. According to Kéré, who butterflies and other insects - established his practice in Berlin that call the Parks their home, in 2005, the community always launched in August when six rare gathers in the tree’s shade and breed sheep spent a week grazing he wanted to create a place that peacefully in Green Park (see would encourage people to come picture above) in the company of together, with spaces where you their shepherd and his dog. feel enclosed and protected, or Over the next coming months and choose to look out to the Park. Like into 2018 they will be monitoring an upturned hat, the 25m-diameter the success of the project, and if roof appears to float above four proven they will consider extending curving walls made of deep the trials to other of their Parks. blue-stained wood arranged in a Adhoc Swedish picnic – one of the problems Hyde Park is distinct possibility as it staggered triangular pattern, with that the Park’s staff have to contend with. has a potentially suitable wildflower gaps providing glimpses through meadow area. the structure. In some lights, it The KA and the general public looks like translucent fabric, in Hyde Park Super were hugely in favour and very others a massive opaque wall. On Nursery much hope to see sheep in Hyde the outside, the wood is subtly Park. chamfered so the walls shimmer in The new nursery, outlined in last the sunshine like woven silk. year’s Report, was fully completed by the end of November. The size of a football pitch, the new greenhouse will enable the Parks to The Orangery Project grow nearly all the 500,000 flowers The plans to create a new garden and shrubs, some 2,000 varieties, to the south of the Orangery and which they plant across their eight build a new facility to the rear, London parks. The roof can be outlined in last year’s Report, opened or closed, depending took longer than expected to be on the fickle English weather, processed. Permission finally came and will aid the acclimatisation through from RBKC in September. of young plants so that they do Work will start in the new year on not have to be moved outside the first stage of the project which for hardening. Sustainability has will be to carry out some enabling

22 Hyde Park Events

Winter Wonderland adjacent to the park) before and BBC Last Night of the (WW) after the event. Proms and Radio 2 Live This year WW runs for 6 weeks from WW enjoyed a successful 10th Friday 17th November to Monday The Last Night was again broadcast anniversary year in 2016/7 the 1st January 2018 and sees many into Hyde Park and to various other weather was good and some 3 new attractions as well as the return cities in Britain on 9th September, million people attended. Security of old favourites. The Magical Ice followed the next day by Radio 2 Live. was heightened - and is again Kingdom returned – Deep Sea being increased this year - and TRP Adventure is the theme, featuring worked hard to manage the impact ‘an awe-inspiring underwater on local residents and this year journey of myth and mystery made they received no sound complaints completely of snow and ice’. over the event period. Every year they hold a pre-brief and debrief with key stakeholders (includes The British SummerTime KA and all the local associations Hyde Park concert series This year the concerts took place over two weekends in July, the first artist being Phil Collins. Mid-week Noise complaints reduced by 50% and events included open-air cinema, crime numbers were very low, due to Circus, choirs and sports enhanced security. They were mainly activations. concerned with petty theft. Noise complaints were at a record Other returning events included the low but crime was slightly up on Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon the previous year, morstly due to in October which since 2008 has raised more people being on site and an £35m spread between some 750 increased police activity. charities.

heritage valued A Short ’s Garden Squares The london parks and gardens trust’s Londongardens.online.org.uk

Squares are one of the defining features of London. Like other European cities, London has its grand civic spaces, but no other city has developed the garden square in quite the same way. London squares are different because they were built for people to live in. The layout of Ennismore Gardens Georgian and Victorian squares created an ordered, spacious arrangement of streets and leafy to live, work and relax. They can also be a haven for open spaces which has made an enduring contribution wildlife, important links in the green chain between the to the quality of life in London. city’s parks and back gardens, and occasional oases in Today, London’s squares are a vital part of the city’s built-up areas. fabric: a focus for local communities, attractive to Social changes, two world wars, building development tourists, and pleasant places for Londoners in which and neglect all took their toll on squares in the 20th

23 century. The London Squares Act of 1931 was allow public access each year to many of the private hugely important in protecting more than 400 squares, ensuring that their contribution to London’s of the city’s squares from being built over, and environment can be appreciated by all. without it many of the squares we enjoy today may Awareness of the value of London’s parks and gardens has not have survived. grown in recent years, and there is renewed commitment Today, private squares with their mysterious, shady to the conservation and improvement of squares, both gardens co-exist with those run by councils, more public and private. English Heritage has undertaken open in their layouts and often with playgrounds several major restorations, and many smaller renovations and sports facilities. Public ownership has allowed have been completed, thanks to support from the more people to enjoy the delights of squares, Heritage Lottery Fund, local authorities and others. which provide vital access to recreation and green This website tells the story of squares, and highlights surroundings in poorer urban areas. how much has been done - and remains to be done – to Events such as Open Garden Squares Weekend preserve this integral part of London’s landscape.

Ennismore Street Congratulations to the owners of architect Houston Morris and the Brompton Square house which his wife, have replaced the tatty backs on to Ennismore Street. concrete wall that had for years As part of their upgrading and blighted Ennismore Street with a extensions to the house owners, mellow London stock brick.

HERITAGE - Devalued

Rutland Gate upper garden 31 Egerton Gardens five flats and add an extra storey. In Another long-running saga stretching spite fierce opposition and its recently all the way back to the 1970s. Lack of being considered by Historic England any works to the trees by the current (formerly English Heritage) a building of owner, believed to be living in the some architectural quality and strong local interest (in particular given the United States, resulted in a falling tree photo: Ettwein Bridges causing the tragic death of a local treatment of its façade and surviving original features), housekeeper in 2014. RBKC’s planning committee, by a majority of one, voted More recently it appears that the in favour of granting permission. owner applied to WCC for permission to carry out ‘various tree works and 26-31 Princes Gate removals’ and the Council has attached The garden strip in front of these an informative to the permission embassies continues derelict, uncared regarding future inspections. This property has been the subject for and full of litter. Lamps and railings This hopefully will provide protection of no less than seven planning have been missing since the second for the public, but does nothing to applications in recent few years. World War and the wall and pillars are move matters on regarding responsible The latest proposal was to gut damaged. It is under private ownership maintenance of the garden. the interiors, reconfigure the and represents a sad lack of civic pride.

LICENSING Paul Meitner It’s been a busy year for licensing businesses wanting to serve visitors hearing takes place. Successful applications and as a result we to the area, including many from interventions have included 17 have had to lodge a number of overseas, at all hours of the day Knightsbridge Green, Cafe Taboo objections. Consistent themes and night, and residents who value Shisha (where enforcement action have included Tables and Chairs peace and quiet - as well as a good was taken by RBKC following on pavements, extended hours for night’s sleep! Many of our responses our continued monitoring), The fast food outlets and the spread of have resulted in applications either Wellington Club, The Magazine, Shisha lounges and open air cafés, being rejected / modified by Gallery and Tyros, a fast notably the Victoria and Albert. licensing authority or, in some food outlet in Montpelier Street. In As ever there is conflict between cases, withdrawn before a formal many cases we have joined forces

24 with neighbouring businesses and improve the quality of life of local residents’ associations to share residents. As ever, we appreciate our thoughts and plan our actions. the support and assistance of Inevitably not all of our efforts Richard Brown of CAB have been successful - the V&A’s during the year. plans for an open air café, despite At the time of going to press we are Tables and significant public opposition, was chairs continue contesting McDonalds’ application to encroach the biggest disappointment in the to bring forward their Brompton on pedestrian year. Even when this happens we Road outlet’s opening hours to pathways put a marker in the sand and make 5 am, which if approved would on our main it clear that we are ever vigilant result in additional noise and thoroughfares. in our efforts to maintain and disruption to local residents. COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUPS

In addition to the numerous liaison – the KA amongst them – at WASF – Westminster groups concerned with WCC, Government and London-wide level. Amenity Societies Forum RBKC, the Parks and the Police, the Responses were given to many KA attends regular liaison meetings Elizabeth Virgo, who organised national and GLA consultations and with the Natural History Museum, the Forum has submitted evidence these meetings so efficiently Imperial College, The Science to Parliamentary Select Committees for many years – no easy feat Museum, South Kensington Station and to scrutinies by committees of as it involved finding three (TfL), the Knightsbridge Estate, the – including or four dates a year when 55-91 Knightsbridge, The Berkeley on air quality, ultra low emission representatives from 20 or more and South Kensington Estates. zones, Neighbourhood Planning, societies could meet with senior Council members and officers THE LONDON FORUM Heathrow expansion (opposed), tall to discuss various pressing OF AMENITY AND CIVIC buildings and pedestrianisation of Oxford Street. Following concern topics – has proved a hard act to SOCIETIES expressed at the amount of new home follow. Finally, one took place in In the past year the Forum has developments left empty on a buy-to- November with WCC Leader Cllr been as busy as ever representing leave investment basis, the London Nickie Aiken and Chief Executive the interests of over 130 local Assembly undertook an inquiry into Charlie Parker in attendance for a societies foreign ownership of property. question and answer session.

LAW AND ORDER REPORT Madeline Elsdon

Members of the Law and Order facing an unprecedented terrorist CLOSURE OF FRONT Committee regularly attend threat. Members of the public and COUNTERS IN POLICE meetings, talks and demonstrations. police officers have been killed This year a group of us attended in attacks and hundreds injured. STATIONS a presentation at Charing Cross Every single day the intelligence A presentation by Sophie Linden, services face a massive challenge Police Station by SO19 Firearms Deputy Mayor for Policing and trying to keep us safe. We were officers on the use of Tasers as Crime, outlined the proposal to police chiefs are considering told that returning jihadists should close many of the front counters in whether every frontline officer be welcomed back, supported police stations across the Capital. should be armed with a Taser. and rehabilitated. These people, who have been indoctrinated The MET has made £600m of THE THREAT OF to loathe our way of life, have savings as a consequence of Government cuts to policing. This TERRORISM been trained in terror camps to use bombs and firearms to kill is now being compounded by the At a presentation in and maim. A heated debate need to make another £400m of Police Station we were given followed as some attendees felt savings. To ensure that the front details of the Prevent Strategy that ISIS terrorists who had made line is protected we were informed designed mainly to combat Islamic this lifestyle choice should now that this means resources should be radicalisation, right wing extremism either be denied re-entry to the diverted from under-used services and the threat from Northern Irish UK or face prosecution upon their and the revenue generated invested dissident republicans. Britain is return. in front line police officers. There 25 are currently 73 front counters MOPED GANGS call whether to initiate a pursuit, as across London. 33 are open 24 there is a very real chance of being hours a day (two in Westminster and prosecuted if anyone is injured. one in Kensington and Chelsea). Londoners are increasingly choosing COMMUNITY ROADWATCH to use the internet to report crime and the use of traditional front counters has diminished. Officers are tied up manning counters with hardly any members of the public visiting, spending time when they could be out in the community. With violent crime increasing we support the idea of extra money for A record crimewave is being police out on the streets fighting carried out by groups of thugs on real crime, catching criminals stolen mopeds and Knightsbridge and keeping public order. At the has not been immune to this same time residents say they new “highway robbery”. Mobile cannot understand the justification phones, high value watches, for millions being spent on jewellery and expensive fashion items from retail outlets have been Residents participated in a meet-up in investigations into historic sex abuse snatched in this escalating criminal Knightsbridge where police support allegations or the endless man activity which appears to be officers trained us in the use of hand hours spent scouring the internet for carried out mostly by youngsters held speed cameras. It was terrific fun offensive comments. who have been known to throw and no cars were actually prosecuted. nasty substances in victims’ faces CARNIVAL or even stab them. Officers have COMMITTEE MEETINGS to follow approved tactics on pursuing motorcycles and need to be appropriately trained and equipped to minimise risk to the people being pursued, as well as the officers themselves and the wider public. We view moped crime as an extremely serious and traumatising offence and we urge the Met to crack down London- wide on perpetrators by increasing the number of officers who receive highly specialised training in order to enable the pursuit of these Figures show that 31 police officers criminals. Police officers who have were attacked during the two- engaged in pursuits have, in the past, been charged with dangerous day event this year. Officers were The Law and Order Committee meet driving, even if no one was injured. slashed with broken bottles, spat three times a year. In January our Officers have to make a judgement at, bitten and had acid thrown at guest speaker was a lead Immigration them. Four people were stabbed, Enforcement Officer from the Home more than 300 arrested and dozens Office. In August we were delighted of weapons seized during the street to welcome the excellent Chief Supt. carnival. A three week crackdown Ellie O’Connor, Borough Commander in advance banned hundreds from RBKC and at our November meeting attending and the Met threw a ring Sgt. Clint Sturgess exhibited a of steel around the parade. Officers horrifying selection of weaponry he seized weapons including knives, routinely removes from individuals. CS spray, batons and a hammer. It is Our three police teams exchange totally unacceptable and a disgrace information with officers from both for police officers to be injured just councils, committee members, faith doing their job. There is a growing group representatives, local business lobby calling for this “peaceful” leaders and invited residents. If carnival to be moved to Hyde Park you would like to attend one of our which the Knightsbridge Association meetings or join the Committee will vigorously oppose. please contact the Association.

26 SAY HELLO TO OUR DEDICATED OFFICERS

The Brompton and The Knightsbridge and Belgravia THE ROYAL PARKS Hans Town Team Safer Neighbourhood Team Dedicated Parks and Wildlife Officer Stephen Barnes In the event of an emergency always call 999

Airbnb Cllr Rachael Robathan, WCC Cabinet Member for Housing and Knightsbridge Belgravia Ward Councillor Knightsbridge has always been an Over the last few years, it has Waste Dumping attractive destination for visitors. become obvious the impact this is Even if the tenants are reasonably However, the growth of short term having on other residents and the well behaved, there is almost always lets, and Airbnb in particular, has led Council has lobbied hard for more an issue with waste dumping or to increasing problems for residents controls to enforce around this. at least bags being put out on in the area. While not many suffer to However, we do have some sanctions the wrong day. This is, of course, the extent of Williams Mews over the which we use. unsightly but, more important, can summer where an impromptu rave lead to rats and also bags being had to be dispersed by the police and Planning Enforcement ripped with contents strewn across the Council’s noise team, the impact As stated previously, many of these pavements. Our City Warden will in terms of noise, rubbish dumping properties are breaching the 90 night monitor all such instances and these and other factors can be huge. rule, therefore, the first step with are liable to an on the spot fine of Much of the recent escalation in short any short let is to find out if they £80. lets stems from the Deregulation Act have planning permission and, if For some time, Airbnb has caused 2015, which removed exemptions not, we can pursue enforcement. In huge problems for residents around for London to restrict short lets. Knightsbridge, we are fortunate to Hyde Park and areas around Oxford This means that any household can have our own planning enforcement street. Sadly this has now extended let out their property for up to 90 officer, funded by the Councillors to Knightsbridge. It is important that nights in any year on a short let basis through our ward budget, so she can any resident raises any concerns without needing planning permission swiftly follow up on any instances with us. Not only can we look into – unless it is prohibited elsewhere raised. what can be done, but it helps to such as in a tenancy agreement or document the extent of the problem lease. Westminster Council’s planning Noise/ASBO when lobbying government for policies do not allow short lets for action. Residents living in blocks Any examples of noise or anti social over 90 nights unless the owner has with communal parts insurance, behaviour should be reported in the applied for planning permission as a should also be aware that allowing normal way either to the Council business. However, the amount of rent Airbnb visitors to stay in the building available in Westminster means that noise team or to the police. In the may invalidate building insurance. the 90 night rule is often not adhered case of Williams Mews, it was the Therefore, residents need to be to, particularly in certain areas such as noise team who were able to shut vigilant. Knightsbridge where there is a high down the party, before the police demand for such lets. attended and made an arrest.

27 TREE HEALTH IN THE ROYAL PARKS A commentary Ian Rodger TRP Arboricultural Officer

There are approximately 170,000 park landscapes, both from a visual proportion of TRP’s Planes growing trees across all The Royal Parks. and health and safety perspective. in high occupancy areas it was They form the backbone As an organisation we are totally decided to recruit a new member of the Park landscapes and committed to the preservation of of staff solely to inspect Planes for have considerable aesthetic, our treescape but also providing Massaria and work with our tree environmental and ecological a safe environment for people contractors to remove the infected value. to enjoy which requires a careful branches before they fail. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens balance between risk management Published studies have indicated are two of the busiest parks in and conservation. that drought is one of the main London in which a high proportion Three tree pests are of particular triggers of Massaria so in 2012 a of the estimated 77 million Royal concern within the central parks: research project was initiated to Parks annual visitors spend time in a fungal disease called Massaria, investigate soil improvements to try or moving through these historic Splanchnonema platani; Oak and mitigate water stress. Several landscapes. The past decade has processionary moth; and a bacteria groups of Planes were selected in seen a significant rise in tree pests which causes Bleeding canker, Kensington Gardens and different and diseases which threaten our Pseudomonas syringae pv. Aesculi. combinations of de-compaction, mulching and aerated compost Massaria, Splanchnonema ‘teas’. Soil samples have been platani analyzed and show a very positive A quarter of the trees in Hyde Park rise in beneficial fungi and micro are London Planes and since 2008 organisms; canopy densities have there has been a significant rise in also improved over the untreated a fungal disease called Massaria, controls. Splanchnonema platani; this kills the bark and decays the wood so Oak processionary moth rapidly that branches can snap out A recent introduction from Europe, within three months of the infection Oak processionary moth has being identified. With a large colonised most of west and central

28 symptoms visible on affected trees is mostly found in southern Europe include areas of weeping rusty but is slowly spreading northwards brown to black exudates, wilting in France; The Royal Parks is very and die back in the canopy and active on the local and national strips of dead, rapidly degrading working parties established to patches of dying bark. Death in prevent its entry into the country. young trees can be rapid as the Having devastated the entire lesions quickly coalesce due to the native Chestnut population in smaller stem diameter, however north America, Chestnut blight the impact on the environment Cryphonectria parasitica has spread London and has been present can be particularly profound when throughout Europe and there have in both Hyde and Kensington large, mature trees are infected been sporadic outbreaks in the Gardens since 2012. In large and disfigured by subsequent limb UK. This fungus causes rapidly numbers the caterpillars can failure and pruning due to the spreading cankers on the bark of completely defoliate trees but the decaying lesions. Sweet Chestnut, Castanea sativa main issue is with public health which disrupt the physiological Management of this disease is as they are covered in detachable processes of the tree eventually difficult as the bacteria is endemic poisonous hairs. The caterpillars leading to death. There are some and research into treatments or form dense clusters, later nests on very valuable veteran Sweet resistance has so far been minimal, main stems which are protected Chestnuts in Kensington gardens within silk tents, these can be the only recourse is to monitor and a significant young avenue found anywhere on the tree from infected trees and prune to reduce in Hyde Park all of which are ground level upwards and from the risk of limb failure and in the closely monitored by the park’s these they ‘process’ along branches worst cases total removal. arboricultural team. to feed on the foliage. These three pest and diseases Other devastating pests such Since 2013 preventative spraying of are the main and most costly as Asian longhorn beetle and Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) has been current problems in Hyde Park Emerald Ash borer and diseases used in Hyde Park and Kensington and Kensington Gardens but there such as Xylella fastidiosa could be Gardens to control numbers of the are other very serious diseases imported into the country on plant caterpillars. This biological control on the horizon which could prove material or wooden packaging. The affects the larva’s ability to feed devastating to London’s tree Royal Parks, working with other and kills it before it develops the population. organisations,developed its own poisonous hairs but it will also Canker stain of Plane, Ceratocystis bio-security policy which restricts kill other non-target species of the purchase of any susceptible caterpillar which hatch at the same platani is a vascular wilt (similar to Dutch Elm disease) which affects plant material, inspects all deliveries time so application is carefully and insists on a robust bio-security London Plane causing wilt and planned and rotated each year. management from its suppliers. die back in the canopy and death Horse Chestnut leaf miner within a few years. Plane avenues Combating the challenges will be particularly susceptible as and Bleeding canker Along with the management Pseudomonas of the current range of pests syringae pv. Aesculi and diseases The Royal Parks is One of the more proactive in the improvement of noticeable pests in Hyde the soil and growing conditions Park and Kensington across the parks with a programme Gardens is Horse Chestnut of de-compaction works and leaf miner, the larva of the use of mulch and other soil which eats the central layer conditioners. Over time these of the leaf; these become will help to increase in beneficial brown and distorted by soil fungi and micro organisms mid-summer and often and this will increase the trees fall early. Although very vitality and make them more unsightly it only has a resilient to drought stress, a moderate effect on overall tree the disease can spread rapidly major predisposing factor in tree health unlike the Bleeding canker through natural root grafting but diseases. Pseudomonas syringae pv. Aesculi the main concern is that the spores This vital work to monitor and which has had a dramatic effect can be spread on the tools of tree protect our trees will make them on Horse Chestnuts across all the surgeons during pruning; this is safe for the public to enjoy and parks. This bacteria kills strips of also the most likely method for its help preserve them for future bark on the trunk and major limbs; entry into the country! This disease generations.

29 KA EVENTS

55th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Chairman Melville Haggard addressing members and guests at the AGM

We were extremely fortunate that, by moving the AGM to January 2017 from our usual December date, the Mandarin Oriental once again generously invited us to immaculate turnout of each horse and immense silver kettle drums are hold the event in their beautiful and rider. After a welcoming coffee, kept, weighing an impressive 35 kilos Ballroom. kindly hosted by the Commanding each. No wonder the drum horses Officer Lt. Colonel James Gaselee have to be so sturdy! The drum horses There was a record turnout and in the Officer’s Mess, and an themselves were magnificent, and we a lively question and answer introductory talk on the ceremonial met three of them relaxing in their session. Lady Grade’s champagne and operational roles of the two looseboxes, as well as the black and raffle raised a substantial sum for regiments, the Life Guards and grey cavalry horses, both veterans the Metropolitan and City Police the Blues and Royals, our well- and the newly-arrived remounts who Orphans’ Fund. informed guides showed us round are just starting their training. It was a the Barracks. We visited the forge, most enjoyable visit which gave us all a TOUR OF THE BARRACKS the saddlers’ and the store where fascinating insight into the history and the ceremonial uniforms, swords hard work behind the scenes at Hyde Cavalry and Cuirasses Park Barracks.

Hyde Park Barracks – the horses, 2017 AGM AND NEW YEAR the ceremonial – the highly RECEPTION polished boots, the flashing helmets and cuirasses, the jingling Monday 15 January 2018 of spurs – all are a quintessential part of life in Knightsbridge, and The move to January for the previous have been since the late 18th year’s AGM proved successful, so we century. A visit to the Barracks is have decided to continue this way. always oversubscribed and our visit The 2017 AGM will take place on the in September was no exception. 15th January 2018 in the Flett Theatre Members and guests foregathered of the Natural History Museum via to watch the daily inspection of the Exhibition Road entrance. The the Household Cavalry Mounted reception starts at 6.45pm. Lady Regiment before they rode out to Grade has once again generously mount guard in Whitehall. We were provided the raffle prizes – three all very impressed to learn that six magnums of champagne. Funds raised hours of preparation goes into the Lt. Colonel James Gaselee talking will go to The Charity. to members

30 RECEPTION BEFORE THE 2016 AGM

Cllr Mrs. Elizabeth Rutherford, Mayor Ian Stewart and Melville Haggard of RBKC , Victoria Borwick MP Cllrs Rachael Robathan and Tony Devenish, Maddie Elsdon

Diddi Malek, Asghar and Julie and Richard Bond, Etta Carnelli Lt Col James Gaselee, Fereshteh Sherkat, Isaac Khodri Fiona McWilliams, Georgie Rogerson

Gill Weavers, Naseem Malik-Noor, Joan Melvin PC Darby, PC Alford, Anne Wright, Greg Carling Sgt Howard, PC Kaye and Reda Gifford

Constantine Wolf, Lucy Sun John Calloway, Juliet Ho Simon Gartshore, Cllr. Heather Acton

31 RECEPTION BEFORE THE 2016 AGM

Cllr Louise Hyams, Deputy Lord Mayor of WCC, Hon. Alderman Frances Blois Graham Stallwood, Anna Birkett, Kathy May Virginia and Richard Stephens

Barry Smith, Adam Hilton David and Mary Frances Lindstrom Mark and Maureen Pittaway, Roger Delaney

Tamara Haggard, Joan Hinds James Ainscough, Satya Cristal Malcolm McIvor, Andrea Geser, Terence Bendixson

David Morgan, Ambika Maliah Chief Inspector Stephen Mangan, Colin Buttery, Matteo Margaroli Lucy and Philip Dinkel

32 MEMBERS’ SECTION

The Association

Finances Membership Once again there was a deficit Our membership has remained members of the Executive over the year, although it was fairly constant over the last year, Committee without the need to less than the previous year, and and we have welcomed some new contact the “Webmaster” and his overall the KA’s financial situation members to take the place of those computer. remains healthy. Expenditure was who have departed. considerably reduced as, unlike It can in fact be performed by We are trying to encourage a wider the previous year, most of the anyone with a modern mobile range of members to join us by production costs of the Annual telephone from the top of a engaging with schools and groups Report were paid within the current moving bus. This has meant that in the area, and we hope that those financial year. Advertising income, our website remains completely who are interested in the many and though lower than before, covered topical. varied issues in the neighbourhood the costs of producing the Annual The introduction of a feed Report. Our meeting costs were will sign up and support the “@KAKnightsbridge” and it’s higher than the previous year when Knightsbridge Association. addition to our front page means the Mandarin Oriental generously that a greater public is made aware sponsored a large part of the Website of our Association. This awareness, Annual General Meeting. The new website of the plus our online eBulletin and Unfortunately our subscriptions have Knightsbridge Association has Newsletters, has been reflected in not increased as we had hoped, but finally settled in and is proving a steady increase in the number the Committee, and John Pollard to be extremely useful to an of visitors to our site, which we in particular, are working hard to Association without a paid staff to hope in due course will lead to an encourage new members to join maintain it. expansion of our membership. the Knightsbridge Association. We It is very novel in that updating Communication is changing so have, however, reduced office costs, information on the designated rapidly it is hard to keep up, but and plan to do so further in the next specialist areas of the site can members can rest assured that we financial year. be performed by the individual will not fall behind.

Appreciations

Carol Seymour-Newton enormous amount of time devoted in high level speakers from the to filleting through and responding Police and security services and Carol’s tireless energy, knowledge to the inexorable flow of planning attracting such strong attendance of the area and people, combined with a fastidious attention to applications and consultations at committee meetings. John detail, remains an inspiration to without which unwelcome Pollard has agreed to take on the us all. All this alongside the timely proposals would slip through the chairmanship and we wish him production of meeting agendas net. Thank you, Edward for your every success in this vital work. and minutes contributes hugely to diligence and enthusiasm. the professionalism and smooth Olivia Cox running of the KA. Long may it Madeleine Elsdon Apart from controlling our finances continue! Madeleine has decided to and maintaining membership lists, step down as Chair of the Olivia plays a crucial roll in helping Edward Davies-Gilbert highly regarded Law and Order to organise events like the visit to Edward’s work as Vice Chairman of committee after 11 tireless years Hyde Park Barracks in September the KA and Chair of the Planning of leadership. Our thanks go to 2017 with all the attendant detail committee is central to the KA’s her for developing the role of this needed to get us in through the mission. We appreciate the committee so successfully, bringing gate!

33 John Pollard application to the detail of this appreciated and have allowed KA to task. input into the Plan’s development in John has directed his creative a timely way. energies to launching the Mark Winer e-Bulletin, a light-hearted roundup of topical issues and events Marc has brought together an Elmar Toime that now appears monthly via informed and diligent Transport We were delighted to welcome MailChimp. This, alongside his and Environment committee that Elmar onto the Executive Committee work as Webmaster, is instrumental includes responsibility for highways, early in 2017 since when he has in bringing KA into the digital lighting, cleansing. His successes made invaluable contributions space and keeping us updated in include the establishment of in connection our printing and the intervals between newsletters Keep Clear boxes at crucial distribution arrangements, database and the annual report. road junctions and advising on management and steering us traffic management plans for the towards ways of organising on-line Paul Meitner many on-going Knightsbridge petitions. This latter may prove developments. Licensing remains one of our key a useful tool with ever more battle fronts and Paul’s efforts challenging Licensing applications in Simon Birkett in responding to the incessant prospect. flow of applications is greatly Through his continued membership appreciated. It is a task that calls of the Planning and Conservation Committees for engagement with Councillors, committee, Simon provides an Officials, residents and businesses essential link to the work of the KA’s committees provide an excellent with occasional outreach to the Knightsbridge Neighbourhood opportunity to serve your community wise council of the Westminster Forum and its emerging Plan. His and we urge members with interests, CAB. Thank you Paul for your efforts in both capacities are greatly skills and time to step forward.

TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT report Highways, lighting and cleansing Marc Winer

This year, the “quality of life” want both their projects to street sweeping. Rubbish dumped improvements noted below were run simultaneously. If that at street corners by residents and achieved for our neighbourhood, plan is adhered to, it will limit commercial premises results in but ongoing observation and inconvenience to residents stained pavements which require, considerably by limiting the time frequent interaction with WCC and but seldom get, deep cleansing by RBKC will always be needed. In frame. the councils. our efforts, input from individual A number of blocked drains residents is always helpful. For around the neighbourhood have that reason, please note of all the been cleared. contact information at the end of Permission has finally been this report. achieved to remove signposts A “Keep Clear” zone was in the pavement on the north established at the bottom Lancelot side of Raphael Street, which will Place. Great thanks to Transport make it easier to use that narrow for London and the Westminster pavement and for the Council to Council. clean it. Several street lights have been In 2018 we expect to spend more repaired. time on these areas: Untrimmed, unsightly and • Speeding – usually late at Rubbish dumped by retailers from both sides dangerously overgrown bushes night, and mostly in the west- of Monpelier Street and Brompton Road in front of the two large bound lanes of Brompton Road redevelopment projects in Lancelot and Knightsbridge. • Busking. We will also join the efforts Place have been cleaned and • Better placement of signs of KA management to fight the trimmed, but this is going to have warning about road closures increasingly obtrusive noise and to be a recurring effort on our part. ahead. crowding caused by busking at The two Lancelot Place developers • Cleansing. There has been a the tube station entrance next to have now stated that they deterioration in the standard of Harrods.

34 Action by individual residents remains terribly important for keeping our neighbourhood in order. It’s often easiest to alert the councils to problems by using either their website or their smartphone apps.

WCC: Use WCC website www.westminster.gov.uk and click on “Report It” Call the Noise Action Line: 020 7641 2000 Report rubbish problems: 020 8305 6319 If, after trying the above, you are not satisfied, or if you have traffic-related or other issues that need attention, or you simply want to voice your view on any subject noted above, write us at: [email protected]

RBKC: Name of App: RBKC Local Services Or use RBKC website www.rbkc.gov.uk and click on “Report a Problem” In addition, some key RBKC phone numbers and email addresses: Action line: 020 7361 3001 or [email protected] Street cleanliness: 020 7361 3002 or [email protected] Customer service: 020 7361 3000 or [email protected] Out-of-hours line: 020 7361 3913

EXHIBITION ROAD

Residents are extremely concerned that there is a move on to completely pedestrianise Exhibition Road. The terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge and recently the traffic accident at the junction with Cromwell Road have drawn attention to the potential hazards which are encouraging the idea in some quarters. Local associations, including the KA, have called for proper consultation to take place before any proposal is put forward to alter the current two way system. Everyone wants to ensure the safety of the millions of visitors who stream up Exhibition Road every day to the Museums, the Albert Hall and the Parks, but closure of this vital north south artery across the Park, home to many residents, is not the answer.

35 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET UPDATE Charles Curran, Managing Direcor Maskell’s Estate Agents Ltd

The 25 basis point increase in the BoE’s base rate Agents: When drafting an Assured Shorthold was expected and yet drew gasps of “we’ve never Tenancy Agreement, we, as Agents charge seen a rate rise” from many mortgage borrowers. the Tenant a fee and consequently a contract True – but this is only reverting the rate back to exists between the 2 parties. As a consequence pre-Brexit times where it was already the lowest of the contract, our Professional Indemnity in history. Some of us still remember the 70’s Insurance attaches. With no fee, we still have and 80’s where base rates and mortgage rates a duty of care but we are still waiting to hear were well over 14%! Nevertheless many eligible from our PI insurers how they will respond to mortgage loans have been funded by the BoE’s any negligence claims given our duties are no Term Funding Scheme which the bank announced longer contractually explicit. Whilst we as a firm it was going to close in February 2018. The have never had a PI claim, it does add an extra scheme provided for term finance for these loans risk dimension which we need to assess and at 0.25%. Even with the change in base rate is an un-intended consequence of this type of yesterday, the terms of the TFS remain unchanged legislation which seeks to be a “catch-all” but at 0.25% making the overnight rate rises by some so often opens up different issues. lenders quite mercenary. The Market: Viewing Numbers increased What it will do, we hope, is to help people focus dramatically over September and October on their spending and help reduce the very high which was expected after a quiet summer – up debt to household income ratio of over 138% over 15% year on year. Applicants remain split as we do expect interest rates to carry on rising between the domestic and international market (albeit slowly over the next 2 years to 1%). This but with the domestic market showing a touch will have an impact on borrowers and particularly their ability to re-finance at the end of any fixed more urgency, whereas our foreign applicants terms period they may have. A 2 year fixed are, for the most part, just browsing. We are loan at say 2% will revert to Standard Variable seeing transactions up to £3.5m for the time Rate of say 4.5% after the fixed period. The being with more expensive properties being new Regulations require borrowers to be stress considered and often rejected simply due to tested to 3% on top of the reversion rate (4.5% stamp duty, which often makes renting more in the above example). If they pass, it is assumed cost effective, particularly for foreign buyers. that they can carry the burden of additional The Lettings market has strengthened from payments that future rate increases will demand. a Landlord perspective, as the year has Ability however does not necessarily amount to progressed: our average rent per calendar affordability and many will have to cut back on month for September was £2,669 vs £5,486 in other items (cars, TV’s, domestic help etc…) if August 2017 and £2,608 in September 2016. faced with this additional burden and therefore Of note is that September tends to a month of we must be prepared for this drop in consumer greater volume of transactions at lower prices spending. – as these numbers demonstrate. Applicants In other news, new regulations for Estate Agents range from young professionals to families and have also been a focus for us. Of note, is the expats returning to the UK – a broad and varied Criminal Finance Act 2017, and particularly new mix. Of note however is that the higher value corporate offences of ‘failure to prevent the properties, provided they are well presented, facilitation of tax evasion’ in the UK or overseas, remain in high demand, simply due to Stamp punishable by unlimited fines – this will mean that Duty: Foreign Nationals are tending to rent for Agents have to tighten up their due diligence so the equivalent of what the cost of purchase and apologies in advance! stamp duty would yield, after tax, if those funds We have now also seen the Draft Legislation were invested in the financial markets. This is seeking to ban Tenant Lettings Fees. We knew simply a Brexit hedge, as they do not want to this was coming and we will absorb the additional lock their capital into the UK for the time being, costs but it raises an interesting question for as much as they may love the country.

36 AIR QUALITY Patrick Mocatta, Chairman Gasrec “The best is enemy of the good and a present constraint on air quality improvement in London”.

The mayor’s Environmental Strategy for London in 2050 assumes a population of 11.1 million, zero emission transport with street and neighbourhood layouts which encourage walking and cycling. It ignores the inconvenient truth that Heavy Commercial Vehicles (“HCVs”), including long haul trucks and Refuse Collection Vehicles (“RCVs”) are 5% of vehicles on UK roads but emit 30% of harmful An ultra-clean “whisper” emissions. It ignores the fact that refuse truck at the CNG electric and hydrogen solutions do refuelling station in Alperton not work in HCVs and will not for decades to come. to be made in this sector of urban the tail pipe and have gone for gas. The Mayor’s focus is on electric and transport. They are not alone with 1,050 gas hydrogen, because they already In London the first compressed buses in Madrid and 23% of all US meet the 2050 target of zero natural gas (“CNG”) station for municipal buses being gas powered. emission at the tail pipe. Electric refuse collection vehicles (“RCVs”) Enabling legislation is finally expected should be the fuel of choice for was opened in July 2017. It is in 2018, which will allow all ordinary cars and possibly light commercial located at Alperton at a Veolia driving license holders to drive 3.5 vans travelling limited distance in depot, from where fourteen RCVs tonne “dot.com” delivery vans. urban environments. But charging are contracted to Camden Borough Presently gas and electric powered points need to be built before Council. They are cleaner than their 3.5 tonne powered vans can only mass adoption of electric cars can diesel equivalents both from an be driven with by HGV license- be contemplated and the electricity air quality and a carbon footprint holders because gas storage and grid will need to be reinforced. point of view. The carbon footprint batteries weigh more than diesel Transport for London (“TfL”) is point is noteworthy because the tanks. Today the HGV license-holder also experimenting with a few wage premium renders the use hydrogen buses at a capital cost most modern diesel truck catalytic of alternative fuels in this sector of £1 million each. In short electric converters work well on motorways uneconomic. and hydrogen in transport will need but inefficiently in urban conditions more than a decade to make a when the engine is not running Other simple solutions are available. meaningful contribution to urban “hot”. In fact there is growing Boroughs could be forced to seek air quality improvement. evidence that when running “cold” bids for at least one alternative to the catalytic converters release N2O, diesel when they put their waste Neither Whitehall nor the Mayor which is a greenhouse gas, which is collection business out to tender. It seem ready to address or tackle 300 times more potent than CO2. would show the councils that natural the HCV road transport segments, gas powered RCVs are cheaper and where the quickest improvements Nevertheless in the bus sector TfL cleaner than their diesel equivalents from a low base could be gained, is opting to retrofit over 1,000 older to operate. We could copy the Dutch where fleets are centrally managed diesel buses with modern catalytic and hit at a root cause of pollution and are replaced according to converters. Let us hope that their by “congestion busting”. In Holland fixed cycles. Here natural gas, engines run “hot”! TfL also continues night deliveries are allowed using possibly blended with bio-methane its high profile hybrid programme. electric or gas powered vehicles, with sourced from waste, would be These buses’ purchase price is special sound dampened doors and the alternative fuel to diesel. The double that of other alternatives trollies, because they are quieter than engine technology works and is with 60% of the price accounted for diesel ones. Productivity is doubled used in many other European and by the battery. It is also expected or tripled in a night shift and daytime US cities. The refuelling station that the battery will need replacing congestion reduced. infrastructure can be installed during the bus life. In other UK relatively fast. Natural gas is cities like Reading, Nottingham and In short incremental steps with plentiful and is cheaper and cleaner Bristol councils have compromised today’s best technology would lower than diesel. Lacking guidance from on the immediate need to adopt pollution faster than today’s emphasis government much progress still has technologies with zero emission at on waiting for perfect solutions.

37 KNIGHTSBRIDGE NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM Simon Birkett, Chairman

One last consultation before a referendum of residents on the electoral roll

The Knightsbridge Neighbourhood The Plan’s vision is therefore to make These themes and objectives are a Forum (Forum) was established Knightsbridge the best residential constant thread in the three main to give people who live, work and cultural place in London in which documents of the Plan: or study in Knightsbridge the to live, work, study and visit. This • Part One – Knightsbridge opportunity under the Localism Act vision is supported by six values: Neighbourhood Plan consists 2011 to develop planning policy community; conserving; clean, safe of the planning policies. and quiet; iconic; inspirational; and and influence neighbourhood Examples include: restoring international. Five themes are used management locally. It is supported heritage features; protecting and then to group 10 objectives (and 42 by the Knightsbridge Association improving local green spaces; planning policies): (KA). defining a ‘Neighbourhood Stress Area’; protecting and enhancing The Forum was designated by Character the (WCC) the Hyde Park Barracks land; on 21 July 2015 with an exclusive • Enhance the special character improving utilities; and reducing mandate for five years to write a of Knightsbridge including its air pollution. architecture, heritage, townscape neighbourhood plan (the Plan) for • Part Two – Knightsbridge and trees while recognising its the Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Management Plan proposes status internationally as a prime Area (the Area) to sit alongside 85 specific actions to address residential neighbourhood and WCC’s own development plan. The matters that are not land use Area is bounded by Albert Gate, centre for retail, culture and education matters and so could not be Brompton Road, Exhibition Road, included as planning policies. , , • Improve the public realm and Examples include: better Knightsbridge, Queen’s Gate and enhance and restore heritage licensing; 20mph limit in South Carriage Drive. features local streets; improved street The Forum developed the Plan • Protect and enhance Hyde Park and cleanliness; and no ‘tattiness’. in six stages including: consulting Kensington Gardens Metropolitan • Part Three – Knightsbridge the KA and other long-established Open Land (MOL) including the Evidence base includes stakeholders on local needs; holding Hyde Parks Barracks land supporting information. two public consultations to establish Part One also includes eight priorities; writing its draft plan; Community principles that should guide the holding a Pre-submission (Regulation • Promote the sense of community spending of planning obligation 14) statutory consultation; and • Protect and enhance existing monies and a list of projects. revising its plan before submitting residential amenity and mix Going forward the Forum expects it formally to WCC in November • Culture and education 2017. Final steps are organised to: apply to WCC to renew its • Foster an environment that by WCC and include: a further mandate in 2020: update its Plan enables our world-class cultural public consultation which should from time to time; comment and educational institutions to be underway before the KA’s AGM; selectively on planning applications; thrive as centres of learning and a planning examination; and a undertake the actions in its innovation within a flourishing referendum of residents on the Knightsbridge Management Plan at community electoral roll – hopefully before least once; and monitor and report annually or biennially on outcomes. Summer 2018. If approved, the Plan Public spaces and utilities will then become part of the formal Anyone who lives, works or • Enable active travel and personal development plan for Knightsbridge studies in the Knightsbridge mobility until 2037. Neighbourhood Area can apply • Encourage superb public transport The strongest message from to become a member of the residents, businesses and cultural • Encourage superb utilities and Forum through our website at institutions has been a desire to communications infrastructure knightsbridgeforum.org. preserve or improve the character • Healthy environment and healthy Please support the Forum’s work by and appearance of Knightsbridge people responding to WCC’s consultation and reinforce its sense of community. • Be an exemplar in sustainable and voting to approve the Plan in People want Knightsbridge to remain city living by complying fully with the referendum. The Knightsbridge a special place to live, work, bring international laws, standards, Association and we will be up children and enjoy life. guidelines and best practice circulating details.

38 BUSINESS RATES Phil Vernon Head of Rating at PwC Impact on the High Street of changes in Business Rates and any accompanying mitigation measures

Business rates are once again a ‘hot potato’, the HMRC online portal, which can take some which is remarkable for a tax that still has its considerable time to register on. roots in the Poor Laws of the 1600’s. Rates are To alleviate some of the worst effects of the at their heart a tax on occupation, based on revaluation, the Government continued the post- the value of the occupation to the ratepayer. In 1990 practice of having a ‘transition’ scheme to modern times, the value of the occupation is protect ratepayers from the worst rises. The relief measured by reference to rental value, known is an automatic part of the rates bill calculation. as a ‘Rateable Value’. However, there are several levels of relief based Business rates are calculated by the Local on the size of property, so it is worth checking Authority, based on the Rateable Value and a whether the right amount of relief has been multiplier set by the Government. Since 2008, allocated. This transition scheme also limits the charges have applied to empty properties decreases in bills, but many companies have seen as well as occupied ones. their annual rates bill rise by as much as 50%. Since 1990, every property in the UK is The Government has recognised that there are revalued on a regular basis, usually every five some extreme cases and so there is also a £300m years (although we have had to wait seven package of additional reliefs nationwide for years between the last two revaluations). certain categories of property that have suffered The purpose of the revaluation is to capture disproportionately as a result of the revaluation. change in the rental market to ensure that the Many Local Authorities have designed their relief tax base is fairly comparable between different schemes and can provide details on request, taxpayers. but they are awarded by application, not as an In April 2017, the latest revaluation delivered automatic reduction. something of a shock for many parts of the Smaller businesses (RV £15,000 and below) country. While the nationwide picture has seen are also entitled to assistance through the an overall decrease in Rateable Values, there Small Business Rates Relief scheme. A simple have been significant spikes in certain areas. application process through the Council should Certainly London and the South East have secure any relief due. seen a healthy rental market reflected in higher Rateable Values. The Council also has a number of discretionary powers to reduce rates liabilities, including partly- The Government would probably argue that occupied properties and properties occupied by the revaluation is ‘mission accomplished’ Charities. because it has achieved exactly what it set out to do and ratepayers in other parts of England There are also exemptions available for will welcome the opportunity to pay lower some empty properties, and as part of good rates bills as the rental market has not kept up housekeeping it is good practice to claim these in with the South-East. a timely manner from the Local Council. Beware of any schemes that promise to remove empty Reducing business rates liabilities rates liabilities, many of these don’t always deliver If a ratepayer feels that their Rateable Value the results promised and could be picked up and is wrong, they can instigate an appeal to the scrutinised by the Council. Valuation Office Agency. From 1 April 2017, If professional advice is sought, make sure that the Government introduced a new appeals any advisor is a member of either the Institute system called ‘Check, Challenge, Appeal’ to of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV) or the enable them to dispute the valuation. Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Up However, be warned that the Appeals system front fees should be the exception rather than the is slow, with time scales of at least 18 months rule, and make sure any contracts signed are clear anticipated before an appeal could be about what constitutes a saving; and how those successfully settled. It also requires access to fees are calculated.

39 PARLIAMENT

The snap election in May did Conservative seat for Labour from since 2014. She not produce the expected result. sitting MP, Victoria Borwick, by a has also been Locally in Westminster, Mark tiny margin - 20 votes. Emma a member of Field held his seat by a reduced Dent Coad was elected to RBKC the London Fire majority and has been appointed Council in 2006. She served as a and Emergency Minister of State for the Foreign member of the Council’s tenant Planning and Commonwealth Office. But management organisation and has Authority. a major upset was caused when been a member of the Planning . MP Emma Dent Coad, local RBKC Applications Committee since 2013 councillor won this traditionally and the main Planning Committee

GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY

Following his election in 2016, Mr. Khan’s draft Environment TfL are non-committal. WCC have Mayor produced a strategy is also aimed at improving been pursuing TfL for pre and post consultative document - ‘A City air quality by discouraging private scheme modelling figures but say for all Londoners’- setting out cars and encouraging walking, TfL are loath to share them and his policies and priorities to be cycling and greater use of public that they are less than transparent, embodied in a revisions to the transport, and has ambitions to when they do. The Parks have 2016 . make London ‘a zero waste’ city experienced problems with cyclists During the latter part of 2017 – by 2026 no biodegradable or using satnav being directed away the Mayor released a number of recyclable waste would be sent from the cycling lane, and cyclists documents which provided a clear to landfill, and by 2030 65% of complain that joggers are taking policy preview of the new draft London’s waste would be recycled, advantage of the open spaces. London Plan which was published a substantial amount of which is in November. These included his plastic. Surprisingly, the strategy Electric Charging draft Transport, Environment and made no reference to the oil price, meters Housing Strategies and reports on a key determinant for the economic the impact of overseas buyers on viability of plastic recycling. London’s housing market and office Many of the aspirations seem policy review. fine. Whether he has the ability to realise them is another matter. His Transport strategy indicated that by 2025, petrol and diesel drivers would pay substantially The East/West Super more than the £24 ultra low Cycle Highway emission levy that comes into force This has now been rolled out in spring 2019. Hybrid and electric across London from Tower Hill to vehicles would face the lowest Lancaster Gate taking in Hyde Park These are being rolled out across charges if intelligent road-user via the Queen Elizabeth Gate. Has London. To date two have been pricing was introduced. Transport it been a success, has it reduced spotted in Knightsbridge, but is for London (TfL) would continue congestion and increased safety? this the answer to improving air to clean up the public transport quality? How many cars could vehicles, with all taxis and minicabs one meter service in a day? Surely at zero emissions by 2033 and all enormous amounts of electricity buses four years later. The Mayor would have to be generated if would like the central charging they were widely available. Is it zone to be expanded across inner practical to have them on the London by 2040 and the whole streets, which would involve one capital by 2050. His £10 ‘toxicity” vehicle blocking it for several hours charge came into force on 23rd whilst it charged? October and will be replaced by a £12.50 Ultra Low Emission Zone Tony Devenish is our GLA member charge from April 2019, on top of and sits on the housing committee, the £11.50 congestion charge in the regeneration committee and central London. the planning committee.

40 LOCAl GOVERNMENT Both Councils are working on 2017 that we would be ending Health where services will remain revising their Local Plans. our Tri-borough relationship Bi-Borough between Westminster with the London Borough of and Kensington and Chelsea. Triborough Hammersmith and Fulham. Since Residents should see no difference March, we have been working in services as a result of the We asked for a comment from exceptionally hard to ensure WCC and received the following: the transition is as smooth as changes and we are minimising any Westminster City Council and possible. The main services financial impact to the Council. The the Royal Borough of Kensington affected are Children’s Services, agreement formally comes to an and Chelsea announced in March Adults Social Care and Public end in March 2018.

WCC In June Westminster City Hall, licensing meetings will be held. availability of fast broadband the 19 storey building on Victoria Council services which operate in parts of Knightsbridge, we Street, was closed for extensive out of their other buildings, will were given contact details for refurbishment and will not re-open continue to operate as normal two broadband infrastructure until early 2019. Whilst the works during this time. providers as alternatives to take place Council staff normally Openreach. KA will contact based there have temporarily High speed broadband moved to two other buildings – these companies to explore 5 Strand, WC2, where the majority Following a constructive meeting their interest in building out of council committee meetings are with Cllr. Jonathan Glanz, Cllr infrastructure to large apartment taking place and Portland House, Rachael Robathan and Officers blocks and residential terraces in Bressenden Place SW1 where at WCC to discuss the poor the KA area.

Members and Officers

Cllr Ian Adams, Lord Mayor Cllr Nickie Aiken Stuart Love

Cllr Ian Adams was elected Lord At the end of December Chief Transportation’ for many years. He Mayor in May. Knightsbridge Executive, Charlie Parker left to was famous for being wise, and Belgravia councillor, Philippa take up a new appointment as infinitively knowledgeable about Roe, awarded a peerage in 2016, Chief Executive and Head of the transport matters. stood down as Leader and will Civil Service in the Crown Estates Godfrey Woods, Head of South not be standing again at the of Jersey. Stuart Love, Executive Area planning also retired to the elections in May 2017. She will Director for City Management disappointment of those of us who be focusing more on her work in and Communities, takes on the had worked with him for many the House of Lords. Cllr Nickie role of Acting Chief Executive years. His detailed knowledge of Aiken was elected to replace from January 1 until a permanent planning and lightness of touch her in January. Cllr Aiken is also appointment is made. made him a pleasure to work a member of the Royal Parks’ Martin Low was Westminster City with. Both Godfrey and Martin are Board. Council’s ‘City Commissioner of greatly missed.

41 RBKC

Sloane Street project We would like to correct the article no further information until we The KA did not support the in our Autumn newsletter that received a copy of the report from proposals and our view remains stated that “the bulk of public Cadogan later in the year. The unaltered on the grounds that opinion” opposed the Sloane report makes clear that “…75% (to the changes risked increasing Street proposals, consulted on some extent) support the proposals traffic congection – and thereby by RBKC and supported by the for Sloane Street; this included air pollution – at both the Cadogan Estate. Having emailed 51% who ‘strongly’ support the Knightsbridge and the council officer on several proposals. Over a fifth (22% ends of Sloane Street. occasions to obtain a copy of the oppose the proposals including consultation’s findings, we received 13% that strongly oppose …”

Members and Officers

Cllr Marie -Therese Rossi Cllr. Elizabeth Campbell Barry Quirk, OBE

As a result of the tragic ward councillors we found him The Chief Executive, Nicholas circumstances surrounding supportive of the KA’s work and Holgate resigned and Barry Quirk, the , there we particularly appreciated his OBE, formerly CEO of Lewisham has were changes both at member regular newsletter and Meet Nick taken his place. and officer level, including meetings. a complete overhaul of the Cllr Marie-Therese Rossi was elected Cabinet. Cllr Nick Paget-Brown, Cllr. Elizabeth Campbell has Mayor in May. She has chaired the long-time Leader of the Council replaced him as Leader, supported Public Realm Committee for the stood down and will not be by two Deputy Leaders, Cllrs past four years. Until her election as standing for re-election to Will Pascall and Kim Taylor-West. Mayor, she served on the Licensing the Council in May. As one of Cllr. Gerard Hargreaves has the Committee, the Planning Committee the Brompton and Hans Town Planning and Transport portfolio. and the Appeals Panel.

42 A HISTORY OF HYDE PARK from ROYAL PLAYGROUND to PUBLIC FORUM Lara Basirov MA Courtauld Institute © Yale Centre Collection Art, Paul Mellon for British

The Serpentine, Hyde Park. Attrib. George Sidney Shepherd, 1784-1862

Hyde Park is the largest and most was the Estate of Eia which, retained the Manor of Hyde for visited of London’s Royal Parks, as detailed in the Domesday nearly five centuries. covering an area of 350 acres Book, was composed of three In July 1536, Henry VIII ejected manors: Neyte, Ebury and and attracting over seven million the monks and took possession Hyde. Hyde was the north- visitors annually. Its history, dating of the church lands along with east area of Eia and the back nearly a thousand years its tenements and rents. In present Hyde Park occupies a – from royal hunting grounds, exchange, he bestowed them portion of its site. The name scenes of vicious duels, military the dissolved priory of St Mary parades, remarkable feats of town is apparently of Saxon origin, and denotes a unit of land, at Hurley, in Berkshire. This planning, The Great Exhibition, sequestration extended the and the advent of Speakers’ ‘the hide’, that housed a single family. At this time Hyde was a king’s already substantial private Corner – is intimately connected vast wilderness, home only to hunting grounds to the north and with the development of London. wild boar, bulls, wolves, deer west of London, affording him Following the Norman Conquest, and small game. Mandeville’s an uninterrupted area extending William the Conqueror appointed custody of Eia was short-lived, from his palace at Westminster nobleman Geoffrey de Mandeville and on the death of his wife he to Heath. It was to oversee several lands in bequeathed it to Westminster probably around this time that London. Included amongst these Abbey. The Abbey monks Hyde was converted into a

43 © Yale Centre for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection were called.’ Nevertheless, it continued to be well visited. May Day in the park was a particularly popular occasion for celebrations, parades, and donning one’s finery. It was probably on his way to the Ring that Cromwell narrowly escaped sudden death. He was driving a coach of six horses, who, having been severely whipped, became uncontrollable and flung him from the coach- box. His feet were entangled in the tackling and he was A Family in Hyde Park. Paul Sandby, 1731-1809 dragged for a considerable distance, during which a pistol park and enclosed with a paling, a popular gathering place – the accidentally fired in his jacket. thereby improving the rearing and rendezvous of the fashionable. At He did not suffer much beyond preservation of game. It remained the beginning of the Civil War in bruising. During the last years a royal hunting ground throughout 1642, several fortifications were of the Commonwealth, Hyde the Tudor era. In 1550, the boy- constructed along the eastern Park became much neglected king Edward VI is recorded hunting boundary of the park including a and attracted significantly fewer there with French ambassadors, strongpoint at visitors. The last incident of note and in 1578, one of Elizabeth I’s where visitors to London were during this time was a coach race, party, the Duke of Bavaria allegedly vetted. now a national sport, in 1658. ‘killed a barren doe with his piece Cromwell died later that year. In November 1652, Cromwell’s from amongst three hundred other parliament resolved ‘that Hyde Following the restoration of the deer.’ Park be sold for ready money’. royal family in 1660, Charles II The House of Stuart brought Then comprising roughly 620 immediately set about imitating about many changes in the park. acres, it was sold in three lots to the life of splendour that he had James I was a hunting enthusiast Richard Wilcox of Kensington, witnessed at Louis XIV’s courts, and was a regular presence John Tracey of London, and and so the park, once more, there with his favourite hounds, Anthony Dean of St Martin-in- became a central meeting-point Jowler and Jewel. In his reign, the-Fields for £17,000 plus £765, for fashionable Londoners. Its limited access to gentlefolk was 6 shillings, and 2 dimes for the 1652 sale was retrospectively permitted, especially during horse resident deer. In this way, the nullified on the grounds that races. However, it was thanks to park was privatised and entrance it had never been ratified by the benevolence of Charles I that fees were levied. In 1653, diarist parliament. It once again became in 1637 the park was opened up John Evelyn noted, ‘I went to royal property, was restocked with to the public. Charles was fanatic take the air in Hyde Park, when deer and enclosed with a brick about sport and was frequently every coach was made to pay wall. Apple trees were planted on present at the races there. During a shilling, and horse sixpence, the condition that Charles was to his reign, he created the Ring. This by the sordid fellow who had be given half of their apples (or was formed of a circular space set purchased it of the state, as they cider). within a square of trees in the park’s northern section, around which it was fashionable to ride and drive. During these years, and even throughout the turbulent years of the Civil War, it became

Two avenues of walnut trees: View of Grosvenor Gate in Hyde Park During the Encampment, 1780. Paul Sandby, 1731-1809 Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017

44 (© National Portrait Gallery,(© National London) brother, the future James II, were fond of open air and exercise, and found a further strong temptation in the park in the form of the renowned beauties that are immortalised on the canvases of Godfrey Kneller and Peter Lely. The famed Mrs Bagot, the Duchess of Cleveland and the Countess of Chesterfield, to name a few, were frequently spotted in the park. Both Pepys and Evelyn were regular strollers in the park, and from their diaries we learn much about its appearance, customs, and visitors. Tragedy struck The in London in 1665 in the form Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland, c.1666. 1665. Edward Henry Corbould, After Peter Lely, 1618-1680 1815-1905 of the Great Plague. Many of the poorer inhabitants, It was also around this time who could not escape to the and fashioned it as his royal that the park became the countryside, set up camp in Hyde residence. He established a favourite location for reviews Park under the direction of the new road through Hyde Park – the ceremonial display and Duke of Albemarle. and Green Park to connect the formal inspection of military Towards the close of the palaces at Kensington and St forces. Shortly after Charles’s seventeenth century, Hyde Park James’s, installing three hundred ascension to the throne in was no longer a royal hunting lamps by its side in order to 1660, he transformed the ground. It was, rather, very much deter highwaymen. So common Trained Bands, increasing their a royal park for the people. were robberies that William numbers to 20,000 men and 800 In 1689, William III purchased enforced night patrols in the cavalry. Once fully remodelled, the Manor of Kensington park, and, during his ‘casino he reviewed them in Hyde (present day Kensington Palace) nights’ at the new palace, patrols Park. Both the king and his from the Earl of Nottingham would be doubled so that his

A London dandy of 1646 Rotten Row, c1890

45 guests might have a chance of transporting their winnings home undisturbed. The new road, known as ‘Rotten Row’ or ‘Route du Roi’, was probably the first public road in London to be illuminated at night, and was described by contemporaries as ‘very grand and inconceivably magnificent’. Fashionable people took to riding or driving on it right up until the late nineteenth century. The first coherent landscaping in Hyde Park began in the reign of George I. The 1720s witnessed The Ring, created by Charles I the implementation of five rows of walnut trees with fine gravel

came into existence water features. The Ring – which, in 1728. Caroline since Charles I’s time, had was a woman of remained the place to be seen considerable taste displaying one’s horses, carriages who was determined and finery – was largely destroyed to improve the park’s in the Serpentine’s formation. general appearance. The project was completed in In 1730 she conceived 1733 at a cost of £8,500 and the idea of the the employment of two hundred Serpentine by means men. It was soon frequented of draining the park’s by fishermen and was allegedly pools and expanding a favourite spot for drowning the River Westbourne. illegitimate children. Shelley’s first Incidentally, wife Harriet Westbrook drowned ‘Knightsbridge’ herself there in 1816. allegedly derives its George II believed that Caroline name from a bridge was personally funding changes over the Westbourne to the park, and only learned upon which knights after her death that Horace frequently congregated. Duel between the Duke of Hamilton Walpole had in fact disbursed and Lord Mohun, 1712 The Serpentine’s bend, £20,000 from the Royal Treasury which was thought sufficient to for her projects. George justify its name, was an innovative walks in the middle. They ran was himself involved in the feature in landscape gardening parallel to the eastern wall and construction of a new road to where contemporary designs existed until 1811 when they Kensington Palace running to generally adhered to the Dutch were felled to make soldiers’ the south of William III’s ‘Rotten musket-stocks. In 1726, George fashion for more formal, square Row’. It was disastrous, and was devised a plan to shave off a large area of the park in order to create private grounds for the Royal Family, Kensington Gardens. Following his death in 1727 plans continued under the supervision of his daughter- in-law Queen Caroline, and Kensington Gardens formally The Serpentine Bridge today, separating Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens

46 © Yale Centre for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection

Skating in Hyde Park, 1785. Julius Caesar Ibbetson, 1759-1817 described by contemporaries as had been so bloody and both tied to a tree and flogged. More ‘a great impassable gulf of mud’. men suffered such appalling serious offences included running In the eighteenth and early injuries that soon afterwards, the gauntlet and whipping. nineteenth centuries, Hyde Park pistols began to replace swords Unforgiveable transgressions was a popular duelling spot. In in duels, thereby resulting in resulted in death by shooting, and November 1712 the notorious shorter, cleaner confrontations. bodies would often be buried by duel between James, Duke of Many duels gained notoriety and the park wall. Robberies continued Hamilton, and Lord Charles featured in contemporary news to occur with frequency despite Mohun was fought, during which reports. In George III’s reign, no the introduction of lamps, guards, both men died. Mohun’s body fewer than 172 were fought in patrols and hangings at . was returned to his house in Hyde Park, the majority of which Indeed, on one evening in 1749 Marlborough Street whereupon arose from disagreements and Horace Walpole was attacked it is said that his wife was ‘vastly jealousy over women. there and robbed of his gold displeased at the wet, bloody Military executions were also watch and eight guineas. The park corpse being laid upon the best common there during these continued to be an unsafe place bed and spoiling her Chinese times. For theft, insubordination throughout most of the eighteenth counterpane’. The combat and desertion, soldiers were century. © British Library © British

Re-enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar: View in Hyde Park with the Fleet at Anchor on the Serpentine River, 1814. Unknown artist

47 General View of the exterior of the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park. Taken from Dickinson’s comprehensive pictures of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Originally published in 1854

George III frequently visited two freezing winters of George’s Gardens and Hyde Park, where Hyde Park to take exercise. It reign in 1767 and 1784 bore daily crushing crowds would emerge, was, at this time, still very rural in witness to ladies and gentlemen especially on Sundays. character: cows, deer and foxes ice-skating on the Serpentine In the summer of 1814, the park all resided there, wild strawberries and sleighing in carriages without hosted a lavish fair marking the grew, and the paths across it wheels, drawn by horses. In end of the war with France. were few and far between. The the last years of the eighteenth Napoleon had been defeated century, a further door and was in his first exile. A naval for foot passengers re-enactment of the Battle of was opened at Hyde Trafalgar was performed on the Park Corner, along Serpentine, and the French ships with an additional gate were slowly sunk to the sound of between Kensington the British National Anthem.

Statue of Achilles The Weeping Beech, known as ‘the upside-down tree’

48 Albert! Spare those trees, Mind where you fix your show; For mercy’s sake, don’t, please, Go spoiling Rotten Row The exhibition was the first in a series of world fairs. Its success was phenomenal, attracting over six million visitors, with a daily average of forty-three thousand, The Old Police and raising sufficient capital to House, 1900-09, purchase the land extending from now the HQ of the park to South Kensington, the Royal Parks on which the Albert Hall and museums were built. In October Upon George IV’s ascension to wall was replaced with new iron 1951, the venue was moved, the throne in 1820, coronation railings and it was not until the piece-by-piece to Sydenham celebrations were, for the 1860s that flowers were planted, Hill in South London. In 1861, first time, held in Hyde Park. under the direction of William Albert died of typhoid and Festivities included a boat race, Andrews Nesfield. Today, a much- Victoria commissioned Sir George a hot air balloon, two elephants, visited botanical curiosity is the Gilbert Scott to design the Albert and a lavish fireworks display. Weeping Beech, known as ‘the Memorial. Completed in 1872, In 1822, the Statue of Achilles upside-down tree’. its cost of £120,000 was met by was installed at Hyde Park One of the most important public subscription. Corner in commemoration of events to take place in the park’s It was around this time, too, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of history was The Great Exhibition. that Hyde Park was established Wellington. It was the first statue Organised by Henry Cole and as a venue for free speech. In to be erected in the park and was Prince Albert, it was opened by 1855, a protest was organised in commissioned by an upper class, Queen Victoria on 1st May 1851. opposition to Robert Grosvenor’s patriotic society called ‘Ladies of Sir Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace proposed Sunday trading ban. England’. At the colossal height of iron and glass was situated Over 150,000 people gathered of eighteen foot, it was executed in the southern area of the park there and the following day by Sir Richard Westmacott using between ‘Rotten Row’ and Hyde Grosvenor rescinded his bill. This thirty-three tonnes of bronze from Park Barracks. It covered about was the beginning of regular cannons seized in Wellington’s nineteen acres and encased three meetings, debates, marches French campaigns. Originally great elm trees. Smaller trees, and protests for which the park nude, it caused such controversy however, were cut down, leading has, over time, acquired an amongst the English public that to ridicule in Punch: international reputation. As a a small fig leaf had to be added shortly after its installation. In George IV’s reign, significant architectural improvements were made in the park under the authority of the young architect Decimus Burton: Hyde Park Corner’s Apsley Gate and Arch (now called ), the Guards’ Magazine House, and many lodges, gates, drives and pathways. These lent the park a newfound dignity and coherence. The other important architectural feature from this time is the Serpentine Bridge. Built in 1825-8 to a design by George and John Rennie, it separates Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens. In the same period, Charles II’s brick Decimus Burton’s Apsley Gate at Hyde Park Corner

49 speak there was thus formally acknowledged and in this way Speakers’ Corner was inaugurated. Orators increasingly brought along placards, stepladders and soapboxes in order to stand out from the others, and heckling was commonplace. The suffragettes campaigned there in the early 1900s, and Karl Marx, William Morris and Vladimir Lenin were all frequent orators there. In 2002 and 2003, it was the site of enormous rallies against military combat in Iraq. Speakers’ Corner

Socialist orator Tony Turner addressing a huge crowd at Speakers’ Corner in c.1940

result of such demonstrations, policing of the park was, in 1867, entrusted to the , the only park to be so managed. In 1872, a poster was displayed near a tree known as ‘Reformers’ Tree’ stating that ‘No public address may be delivered except within 40 yards of the noticeboard on which this rule is inscribed’. The right to Suffragette’s march in Hyde Park

The Coldstream Guards, the crack infantrymen of Great Britain, passing through Hyde Park in heavy marching order on their way to Paddington and the front during the First World War

50 Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Procession, Hyde Park Corner, June 1887

is a significant part of the personnel, those on leave, and park’s social history and it those wounded. At one point continues to serve today as during the First World War, it a forum for preachers and was even closed and turned into campaigners on a wide range a milk distribution centre. of topics. In 1970, Hyde Park Barracks The last great event to (also known as Knightsbridge be held in the park in the Barracks) were completed to nineteenth century was a design by Sir Basil Spence. Queen Victoria’s Golden Located on the southern edge Jubilee celebrations in 1887, of the park, they accommodate at which the queen gave the Household Cavalry Mounted lunch and a medal to 26,000 Regiment including 514 army school children. In her last personnel and 273 horses. The years, she was frequently building was voted number seen in the park, often eight in a Country Life poll of driving there twice daily. Britain’s ‘top ten eyesores’ and With the growth of London a campaign to have it listed was and the increasingly distant rejected in 2015 by the Ministry countryside, more and more of Culture. of the working classes began Today, Hyde Park continues to to use the park. enjoy a very public outlook. Like the other parks, Hyde It remains a venue for mass Park played a significant role celebrations and public events. during the First and Second In 1977, an exhibition was The Knightsbridge Barracks World Wars. It was used held there to mark Queen for camps, military training, Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee. In the anti-aircraft gun stations late twentieth century it hosted annual Winter Wonderland event and experimental bombing many large-scale free rock music which has become one of the grounds. It also provided concerts, featuring groups such largest Christmas events in Europe, refuge from bombs and as Queen, The Rolling Stones attracting over fourteen million grew fruit and vegetables. and Pink Floyd. Commercial visitors in 2016. In 2010, the park As the wars dragged on, it concerts continue there today, was the setting for a prayer vigil was increasingly used for the such as Live 8 in 2005. Since with Pope Benedict XVI and was rest and recreation of military 2007, the park has hosted the attended by around 80,000 people.

51 © Yale Centre Collection Art, Paul Mellon for British

View of the Serpentine River looking from Kensington Gardens, 1796. Francis Jukes, 1747-1812

An attempt to assassinate the Pope was foiled after five street cleaners were noticed in the vicinity. Sporting activities are a major feature of the park and include horse riding, cycling, tennis and football. Boating and swimming on the Serpentine have, for many years, been enjoyed by the public: boating was first allowed in 1847, and the Lido Pavilion, which provides bathing and sunbathing facilities, opened in 1930. During the summer 2012 Olympics, the park hosted both the triathlon and the 10km open water swimming A policewoman chasing a gang of skinny dippers events. Hyde Park is truly the by the Serpentine Lido, 1920s people’s park: it is one of the city’s most popular attractions

and is undoubtedly its greatest © Yale Centre for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection open space. Lara Basirov has recently finished a Master’s degree in 15th and 16th century Italian and Netherlandish painting, at the Courtauld Institute of Art.

Fashionables of 1816 Taking the Air in Hyde Park, 1816. Unknown artist

52 Where the historic and modern are equally valued.

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352677 Hobart Slater DPS Advert.indd 1 09/11/2017 14:59 352677 Hobart Slater DPS Advert.indd 2 09/11/2017 15:02 MONTPELIER SQUARE | KNIGHTSBRIDGE SW7

HOBART SLATER ANNOUCES THAT IT HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY NICOLAS VAN PATRICK WITH EFFECT FROM THE NEW YEAR.

An elegant 6 bedroom Family House, Grade II listed, and recently refurbished and freshly decorated, overlooking this premier Knightsbridge garden square, a short walk... from Harrods & Hyde Park.

Approx. GIA. 3,900 sq ft / 362 sq m Freehold Guide Price £9,850,000

020 7581 8277

VICTORIA ROAD | KENSINGTON W8

Probate Sale by order of the Executors. This wider than average freehold Victorian house is located in one of Kensington’s most sought after streets. The property has been in the same ownership for 65 years and now requires complete modernisation. The house has the added benefit of not being listed thus allowing an incoming purchase to create a wonderful family home to their own exact requirements. This property currently provides 4,404 square foot of gross internal area as well as an additional 593 square foot of loft space which one could convert, subject to the usual planning consents. 6 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 2 WCs 4 Reception Rooms | 3 Kitchens | Dining Room | 3 Stores | 4,404 sq ft | Loft Front Patio | Off-Street | Parking | EPC F

Freehold Guide Price £7,750,000

020 3770 3474

352677 Hobart Slater DPS Advert.indd 1 09/11/2017 14:59 352677 Hobart Slater DPS Advert.indd 2 09/11/2017 15:02 Where the historic and modern are equally valued.

Over 200 years of auctioneering has taught us the importance of balance, from the personal touch to the online experience. It’s you we value.

Buyers and sellers, visit us at bonhams.com/itsyouwevalue or get the full experience at Montpelier Street.

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