We aim to preserve and enhance local amenities.
In the last few years we have been involved in the major improvement programme for St. Luke’s Gardens, which has brought a range of benefits to our neighbourhood; we have also been active to ensure that our local pubs, bars and restaurants enhance our area without causing nuisance to residents. Other environmental issues on our radar include dog control, basement excavations and pedestrian safety.
Pubs, Bars & Restaurants – 2014
Cavallino / Brasserie Gustave / Zheng (4 Sydney Street) – Cavallino opened in June 2011 after a complete refurbishment and internal rearrangement. Unfortunately, noise and smells from a new kitchen extractor at the rear, in Bury Walk, disturbed residents. We had discussions with the restaurant and efforts were made to solve these problems. In a further move to control noise, the Licensing Authority prohibited customers from taking drinks outside the premises, front or back.
Cavallino closed in 2014 and was replaced by Brasserie Gustave, which in turn closed in October 2016 to be replaced by Zheng.
All the Licensing Conditions that applied to previous restaurants on these premises are transferred to, and remain with, succeeding restaurants unless an Application is made to the Licensing Authority (RBK&C) to alter them, in which case we are notified and can comment; so the Conditions we fought for in 2011 still apply.
The Sydney Arms (70 Sydney Street) – with a new name, the pub re-opened as an independently-owned freehouse after refurbishment in 2010. In the past residents have been disturbed by groups smoking and drinking on the pavement in front and we have intervened on their behalf – the forecourt should be clear of customers by 23:30 (Mon-Sat) and 22:50 (Sun).
Licensing of Pubs – Two pubs in our area, the Wellesley Arms (now The Sydney Arms) in Sydney Street and the Builders Arms in Britten Street, applied to the Council in 2007 for permission to allow customers (smokers) on their forecourts late at night when previously they were prohibited. We actively objected to both applications.
At the Licensing Hearing for the Builders Arms, in spite of strong objections from over 30 residents and a local Councillor, the pub was granted a change to its licence: smokers would be permitted on the forecourt until closing time (midnight) whereas previously all customers had to be off the forecourt by 22:40.
The Licensing Hearing for the Wellesley Arms was cancelled, as the licensee withdrew his application at short notice; we remain vigilant.
Dogs – 2012
St Luke’s Gardens – a dog was killed by another dog in St Luke’s Gardens in 2012. The Association requested that the Borough change the notice in St Luke’s Gardens regarding dogs – that they should be “on a lead” rather than being “under control”. This has happened – the signage now reads “Please keep your dog on a lead”.
Dog fouling – an issue that causes residents concern. Not only is it unpleasant and messy, but it carries harmful bacteria that can cause infections and toxocariasis, which can lead to blindness. Failure to clean up dog waste carries an £80 fine and a maximum penalty of £2,500 if the case goes to court and results in a conviction. An RBKC campaign urging dog owners to clean up after their pets was launched in 2011. Council officers handed out dog poo bags and spoke to dog owners reminding them to dispose of their dogs’ mess responsibly. It is not enough to simply bag the mess and leave it on the highway – it should then be placed in bins or owners can bag it and take it home with them. New signs have gone up across the borough, with the key message `Good dog owners clean up. Bad dog owners don’t. Bag it and bin it’.
Basement Excavations – 2014-15
The number and frequency of basement excavations across the borough continues to be high as residents often prefer to expand rather than incur the significant costs and taxes of moving. In general basements must be allowed under the law. This issue is at the forefront in a few London boroughs, including ours, but is almost non-existent in many other parts of the country; therefore, there has been little appetite to change the law.
Any new basement must fall with RBKC policy on subterranean development; in addition, RBKC does have the ability to require the submission of a detailed Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) prior to construction. Developers must get approval of their CTMP in advance and it needs to minimise disturbance to residents. While there has been significant disruption in the past – often to close neighbours – CTMPs do appear to be improving the situation. In several cases across the borough, they have stopped works when the developer did not adhere to the CTMP.
RBKC consulted again on basement policy in 2014, as many of the basement construction firms have stated the “no one really objects to basements, only a small minority.” Many residents’ associations across the borough have been working hard to ensure that RBKC does listen to our voices. As noted even strengthening the enforcement of all currently available laws does help us.
We have reviewed the Residents for Basement Justice campaign and agree with the approach this group is advocating. They want to move towards better and more effective management of new basements; however, they do not expect to stop basements.
Highways & Transport – 2007
The Council established a streetscape advisory group for Stanley and Redcliffe Wards in 2007 to examine if traffic flows and facilities for pedestrians could be improved and to identify unnecessary street ‘furniture’ that could be removed.
We focused our discussions on three areas:
- the hazardous pedestrian crossing of Sydney Street at the junction with Fulham Road; we had raised this issue in the past. However, we were told that ‘traffic flows’ would make it difficult to improve conditions for pedestrians here. The traffic department agreed to look at this again.
- a proposed pedestrian crossing of Cale Street at Sydney Street (east side). This was not accepted.
- a pedestrian refuge (island) in the middle of Sydney Street between Britten and Cale Streets to facilitate crossing to and from the hospital. This was implemented.
Designing Out Crime
The Council invited interested parties to make suggestions as to how development proposals could include crime prevention measures. Our Association submitted proposals. The Council has since introduced the Supplementary Planning Document ‘Designing out Crime’ which provides guidance for developers and planners to ensure that all development proposals incorporate the principles of designing out crime.
No Estate Agents’ Boards – 2014
The regulation which prohibits the display of estate agents’ boards has been extended to cover all of the streets in our area, as shown here.