The Sydney Street & District Residents’ Association www.SSDRA.org.uk
May 2025
Our 2025 newsletter to update SSDRA members and local neighbours on important and useful information on our community.
The SSDRA Committee
The SSDRA committee members are:
- Susan Spiller
- Lucinda d’Ambrumenil
- Laura Carrara-Cagni
- David Farlow
- Seb de Lemos
SSDRA needs new committee member(s) to focus on member communications and planning our events. We would also welcome help with RBKC planning issues and topics.
Please contact us at info@SSDRA.org.uk if you are able to join us.
SSDRA is focused on local planning topics that most impact our members
Local Planning and Development Activity/Updates
Royal Marsden Hospital
We have been concerned about two topics related to the Marsden –
- New scanner in the small parking lot off Stewart’s Grove. Issues with noise disturbances to neighbours all hours of day and night.
RBKC’s Noise and nuisance team told the hospital that it would be served with a noise abatement notice if the noise is not reduced. The planning permission granted is for operating hours 8am-8pm but the scanner is operating 24/7. The hospital claims it cannot turn it off. The noise level is higher than that which is permitted under the planning permission.
Both RBKC’s environmental health team and planning enforcement team are liaising with the hospital and neighbouring residents. This has taken a great deal of work from neighbours and our Councillors.
- Proposal for large new building in this parking lot. Loss of light and overlooking neighbours. We have asked Marsden for their detailed plans, but neither the hospital nor their architects have provided this information. This detail will be key to understanding the full impact and how we need to respond to this proposal.
Our new MP Ben Coleman has met with Lucinda and Chris Radford-Jones from Astell Street & St Lukes residents’ association to discuss the impact of the proposed development and the PET-CT scanner.
Ben Coleman wrote to Dame Cally Palmer about both topics. The hospital admitted to noise issues with the scanner, and they have said that the large-scale development plans would be submitted in Autumn 2025.
Our MP has also agreed to a local visit with more residents once the plans have materialised further. He said that it would be critical for the hospital to take into account those comments and concerns submitted as part of the consultation process.
Achieving the best outcomes on this will require input and engagement from residents, the SSDRA and our councillors working together to influence this.
Heat Network
The Sydney Street & District Heat Network, the innovative urban project designed to decarbonise heating and cooling for our 300 homes, two hospitals, the school, St Luke’s church, and various commercial spaces, is progressing. As our residents have witnessed at various consultation sessions how this project represents a pioneering community-scale initiative to provide clean and affordable heating and cooling, seamlessly integrating modern energy technology within an historic urban landscape.
The technical team has completed the government funded feasibility study which has proved the viability of a shared ambient loop network in the public highway, without visual or physical obstructions in public spaces, connected to individual Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) designed to supply carbon-free heating and cooling. It will improve local air quality and contribute significantly to the community’s long-term carbon reduction targets.
The project has begun to generate interest in neighbouring areas, with nearby residents expressing a desire to adopt similar systems.
Our technical team, on our behalf, has recently submitted a further government fund application, the Green Heat Network Fund, to start detail design, and is in contact with the commercial stakeholders to agree their commitment to the project.
If you want to get involved, support or simply get a better understanding of the project do get in touch with Laura, our planning committee member, on lcc@cagniwilliams.com or 07879 647590.
The Gaumont
196-200 Kings Road
Cadogan has now confirmed that they expect the Gaumont building to open this year. The flagship retail shop will be on Kings Road – potentially Arket.
The shops on Chelsea Manor Street will be smaller boutique community retail, including the BookBar, a woman owned book store opening its second location (the first is in Finsbury Park).
Other amenities are a large cinema and a roof terrace, as well as residential above.
Police and crime update
The most common crimes in the area are thefts of mobile phones and watches, speeding cars, theft from motor vehicles and residential burglaries.
We have 2 dedicated police officers and 2 dedicated PCSOs for Stanley Ward operating out of the Chelsea base. It has become apparent that crime is increasing and police presence is on the decrease.
Stanley Ward Police Panel holds meetings with the local police every quarter to discuss priorities from a resident’s perspective. Should anyone like to attend the meetings, please let Lucinda know.
A number of local RAs have come together to address the increased crime and lower visible policing and are looking at creating a ‘Safer Chelsea’. They are working with King’s Road Partnership, the Councillors, local businesses and residents to look at various options to prevent crime. Further details will be coming in the near future. If you would like to sign up to the newsletter, please email news@saferchelsea.com
It is important to report all crime – the more reports, the more police resources will be given to this area.
In the event that you see or are the victim of a crime, please ensure that you report it as this ensures that the police are aware and address it. It will also help to focus future resources on problem areas.
How to report crime – by phone you should call 101, or if urgent or the crime is happening call 999. Online crimes can be reported https://www.met.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
How to report noise and nuisance- the RBKC noise line can be reached at 020 7361 3002 or online at https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/contact-us/report-problem/report-noise-or-nuisance-problem
Other Local News & Events
St Luke’s Foodbank
St Luke’s foodbank helps almost 100 people each week. In order to support this important initiative they require donations of non-perishable foods and personal toiletries. Donations can be delivered to the parish office – the entrance door is downstairs is on the right exterior side of the church. Alternatively, contact the parish office if you would like to make a financial donation – https://chelseaparish.org/community-outreach/st-lukes-foodbank-club/
Please help to support the St Luke’s foodbank
St Luke’s Parish
Dr Brian Leathard, Reverend Prebendary of St Luke’s will be retiring after many years at the church. We thank him for many years in our community and wish him the best.
Other upcoming local events
- VE Day 80th Anniversary – series of activities throughout the week starting on 5th May – more info available here – https://www.kingsroad.co.uk/experience/ve-day-celebrations/
- The Chelsea Grocer – new shop at location of Partridges will be opening in Duke of York Square on 9th May
- Chelsea in Bloom and Chelsea Flower Show – 19-25th May – https://www.chelseainbloom.co.uk/
- St Luke’s summer fair – Sat 7th June
- Chelsea Arts Festival – 19-21 Sept
- Chelsea History Festival – late Sept
Our RBKC Councillors
Thanks for the support of our three RBKC local councillors: Kim Taylor-Smith cllr.kim.taylor-smith@rbkc.gov.uk, Will Pascall cllr.will.pascall@rbkc.gov.uk, Josh Rendall cllr.josh.rendall@rbkc.gov.uk
SSDRA Events
2025 Annual Meeting
We are working to arrange this year’s annual meeting for mid-June. More information will follow by email once confirmed.
Events planning for SSDRA needs your help!
2025 Street Party
SSDRA is considering hosting a street party – potentially in early September – if this idea has strong member support. Our prior event was well attended so we hope that members will do so again. In order to do this, we will need 2-3 members to volunteer and lead on organising and publicising the event. If you’d like to do this, please email to info@SSDRA.org.uk
Membership
SSDRA membership is only £10 per annum. For more info and to join the SSDRA please email to info@SSDRA.org.uk.
Contact info for SSDRA is
- Email – info@SSDRA.org.uk
- Website – www.SSDRA.org.uk