THE ST MARYLEBONE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Spring 2018 Number 352 www.stmarylebonesociety.org Registered Charity 274082 SCHOOL’S OUT! Christ Church in 1949 with the Schoolmaster’s House in the background. Christ Church and the Schoolmaster’s House today. The Church St ‘Futures’ masterplan The old schoolmaster’s house stands in schoolmaster’s house is the last threatens the future of the old the way of over-development by a remaining fragment of this history and its schoolmaster’s house at 29 Cosway scheme that is simply not good enough retention should be the starting point for Street and it is hard to believe that a for this important location opposite the new design rather than something complete Victorian building in a Christ Church Cosway Street, Grade 2* that is cleared away because it doesn’t fit Conservation Area is even considered landmark building by Thomas Hardwick the desired massing and density. for demolition. (who also designed St Marylebone We have reported the Society’s strong Parish Church). The old schoolmaster’s The Society has been involved with objections to the demolition of the old house clearly contributes to the setting evolving planning briefs for this site schoolmaster’s house and feel that in this of the church, a fact confirmed in the since 2011, although to date none have high value exceptional location the heritage statement accompanying the been formally adopted. The retention quality of the proposed scheme is not of the old schoolmaster’s house in any application, which concludes that good enough. Demolition on this scale development on the site was originally ‘moderate harm’ is caused by the would not be allowed in the agreed, and as an unlisted heritage proposed demolition of the neighbouring Conservation Areas of asset its contribution to the character schoolmaster’s house. Dorset Square or Regent’s Park. to the Lisson Grove Conservation Area Alongside the architectural value of the is clearly stated in the WCC building, the old schoolmaster’s house This project represents a chance to Conservation Area Audit. The Society forms a social history link to the church repair the urban grain, celebrate the is not against the proposed modern and a reminder of 19th century architectural and social heritage of design idiom but believes that any philanthropic development characteristic Lisson Grove and provide an exceptional proposal to develop the site should be of the Bell Street area. From the Ragged modern building for the neighbourhood. an exemplar in terms of high quality, School to Marylebone Boys’ and the Please visit the WCC planning portal contextual, sustainable design and also Rutherford School, providing education and register your comments to save respect the heritage assets on and for the poorest in society has led the way the old schoolmaster’s house (Ref: around the site. in this part of Marylebone. The old 17/11404/COFUL) THE ST MARYLEBONE SOCIETY 69TH AGM - NOVEMBER 2017 Held at St Marylebone Parish Douglas Temple who has retired from Under Any Other Business two Church the Council. The society requires a new important transport issues were raised. The meeting was chaired by Mike Wood Social Secretary and also needs help On the Baker Street 2-Way the with 75 attendees and 14 apologies. with IT. Volunteers need to be familiar increased traffic congestion in with Excel spreadsheets and being on e- Melcombe Place and Baker Street was The following were elected by majority: mail is essential for the smooth running Hon. Sec – Mo Parkes, Hon. Treasurer - queried. This situation is hopefully of the society. Thanks were expressed Hugh Small, Membership Secretary & temporary due to road changes during by the Planning Committee and Newsletter Robert McAulay. The other the implementation stage of the BS2W members of the Council re-elected en Trustees to London Business School project. The BSQP telephone helpline, bloc: Mike Wood, Cynthia Poole, Sara (LBS) and Paribas for use of meeting postal address and email were Gibson, Patricia Kleinman, Ian Wylie & rooms. Mike Wood expressed his forwarded to those concerned. The Gaby Higgs. Anthony Alford was re- thanks to Gaby Higgs and Cynthia Poole SMS welcomes any information and appointed as Hon Auditor. for the professional planning work they feedback as we await the transformation do for the SMS. and traffic improvements promised Treasurer Hugh Small reported that throughout the design and development there was a slight increased bank Cynthia Poole and Gaby Higgs outlined process. Along with pollution balance of £23,790. Subscription income the scope of planning work undertaken monitoring the Society has undertaken had been improved by sending reminder this year. Applications were slightly traffic counts in order to independently letters and members moving to up on last year with the analyse the before and after payment by standing order. This saves planning committee considering 203 environmental conditions. much time and is appreciated by applications. However, 37 of these were the trustees. The draft accounts, as for new telephone kiosks, primarily Michael Bolt of the Marylebone independently examined and approved used for advertising, which are proving Association spoke about his concerns by the External Auditor, were presented to be a social and visual nuisance on our with the project to pedestrianise Oxford to the AGM by the Treasurer. streets. Despite many objections WCC Street; a scheme promised within the have little power to refuse them under manifesto of the Mayor to improve air Chairwoman Gaby Higgs reported that current policy. quality and safety for pedestrians. the main issues over the year revolved Oxford Street is a TFL strategic route around planning and pollution. Today The LBS restoration of the Town Hall is but under the jurisdiction of the work of the society has largely complete and Committee members Westminster City Council so an shifted away from conservation and visited this exceptional high quality agreement needs to be in place between heritage to campaigns for better conversion with WCC North Team all parties. The Society endorsed modern design, urban design, transport planning officers. Developers along the Cllr Alexander’s plea that all present and environmental issues. Work is Marylebone Road continue to seek take part in the public consultation; ongoing to improve Air Quality with permission for higher buildings, or urging everyone to make their views volunteers collecting further data on additional floors, for example at known so that the details of any NO pollution during 2017. The project Marathon House and North West 2 proposals do not cause harm, such as was extended to measure pollution House. Demolition of 191 and around local schools and outside 233-237 Old Marylebone Road will increased traffic congestion and windows of mansion block flats on transformation the area with two large pollution or for problems simply to be upper storeys above Baker Street, hotels proposed. In Paddington Basin diverted into neighbouring streets. Gloucester Place and Marylebone Road. the ‘Cube’ received approval despite Access for all must be ensured and a Anti-idling campaigns, especially at taxi local campaigns and a cluster of very tall member suggested electric shuttle ranks, continue to keep volunteers busy towers continues to rise along the buses on Oxford Street might help if across Marylebone. Monitoring work, Westway. In Church Street ward the TFL buses are routed along Wigmore started by Sheila D’Souza, was ground Futures master plan has revised Street. Another member noted that the breaking and is being emulated proposals for seven key sites. Crossrail improvements might reduce the number of buses needed. by TfL and other organisations. The 2017 planning walk was at Regent’s Congratulations are due to Sheila who Park Zoo where we discussed the After the AGM Rev Stephen Evans and was named WCC Volunteer of the Year changes underway and especially Ginny Walton gave illuminating talks on for her commitment and ongoing work. Norman Foster’s restoration of the the history of Marylebone and the The SMS environmental projects were Snowdon Aviary. Regent’s Park has had exciting St Marylebone Changing displayed at the Marylebone Fayre Stall. no further plans for gate closure and Lives project, which will include The Society continues to work closely CS11 is currently only being transformation of part of the church with local stakeholders, especially with implemented at the Swiss Cottage crypt into a community and exhibition The Royal Parks, Baker Street Quarter gyratory. The Society would support a space. Thanks were given to those at St Partnership, and Chiltern Railways. 20mph speed limit on the Outer Circle Marylebone Parish Church. as well as SMS trustees were proud to lay a and remains vigilant for any road all the volunteers for providing the wreath at the annual Remembrance proposals in the park that would affect refreshments, transport and assistance Service at Marylebone Station. Thanks the character and Grade 1 heritage for the AGM. and best wishes were expressed to setting of the Nash Terraces. Gaby Higgs 2 SOCIETY PLANNING MATTERS ALOST CHURCH IN BAKER STREET of offices in Central London, we were pleased to see this proposal. There will also be much less demolition. Residents to the north of the building have some worries about the proposal for a series of stepped terraces facing their buildings. Use of these terraces, if allowed, will need to be controlled by lease to limit intrusive noise. A similar bulky mansard roof on the previous residential scheme was given permission so this roof is Postcard of Baker Street, showing St Paul’s Church likely to pass as well. We felt that an (demolished 1972). opportunity for something more lightweight, perhaps a glazed pavilion, had been missed. Church Street Futures Plan: first applications Planning applications for the Church Street Futures Plan are now live.