November 2020
Dear members –
2020 has been a challenging year as COVID has locked down the country; however, with less travel and more people working at home, it feels like we’ve gotten to know our neighbours better.
In this year’s SSDRA newsletter, we have focused first on the people and our immediate neighbourhood, as well as how to keep up-to-date. Secondly, we have provided brief updates on the key, major developments which impact on our part of Chelsea, in particular the Sydney Street area.
What SSDRA has done in 2020
- Earlier in 2020, we established a WhatsApp group to help members and residents who were social distancing with grocery shopping or pharmacy.
- We have clapped for the NHS and shared music concerts in Stewart’s Grove – some listening in person and other on video.
- SSDRA addressed the issues caused by a series of “pop-up parties” in a local holiday flat rental.
- Neighbours helped a member whose back wall had been painted with graffiti.
- We have been activity engaging with the Royal Marsden to improve noise, building works, trash collection, deliveries and smoking – all of which have impacted on residents in or near Stewart’s Grove.
- and most importantly, we have all gotten to know many of our neighbours better.
Upcoming events
SSDRA Annual Community Get Together on Tuesday, 17th November at 6pm. Due to government guidelines around social distancing, this year’s meeting will be held online via Zoom. If you would like to attend, please email info@SSDRA.org.uk
… more about 2020
“Pop-up Parties” – In March through June of this year, a property in Stewart’s Grove was let on a short-term basis. The renters held a number of large and very loud all-night parties – disturbing neighbours – and against the lockdown rules. We monitored the issues, spoke to the renting agent, as well as with the police and the RBKC. After some challenging discussions, the issue was successfully resolved.
Royal Marsden Hospital and noise/smoking issues – We have been working with neighbours to influence the Marsden Hospital to (1) Be less noisy, especially before 8am; (2) Stop telling their contractors to park on Stewart’s Grove; (3) Have their rubbish collected from the Fulham road rather than blocking Stewart’s Grove whilst each bin is emptied and (4) Address the smoking and littering by Marsden staff in Stewart’s Grove. Please do get in touch with us if you would like to see our full communications with the hospital.
Dovehouse Green – Dovehouse Green is overseen by St Luke’s church, with the RBKC responsible for maintenance. As part of the Auriens development, Auriens has contributed a sum of money for improvements and enhancements to the green. Following the survey/consultation with residents early in the summer, the SSDRA and other local resident associations met with RBKC in August to discuss and agree next steps. Positively, much feedback was received from residents and is expected to be incorporated. We’ll keep you up-to-date as this progresses. Deliveroo, Uber Eats and other food delivery companies – Following the challenges with very noisy food delivery motorbikes throughout 2019, especially in Bury Walk and Pond Place, the SSDRA, local residents, our councilors met with Deliveroo. We also engaged actively with the local restaurants, such as Zheng. Now that deliveries are collected from the Sydney Street entrance, the noise and speeding issues on these smaller streets seem to have improved.
About the big developments in our area:
Auriens at 2 Dovehouse Street: The building firm Multiplex is working on the final stage of the new Auriens retirement home. Although they were delayed due to COVID restrictions earlier in the year, they are now working extended hours and expect to complete the exterior and interior of the building in early 2021. Once the facility is completed the parking spaces on the south side of Britten Street in front of the building entrance will be moved to the north side of the street. They have shared their September 2020 newsletter here: https://www.ssdra.org.uk/auriens-newsletter-2/
Royal Brompton Hospital: Work on the imaging building on Dovehouse Street is continuing by Kier Construction and is due to be completed in 2021. There have been recent rumours that the Royal Brompton is again considering moving out of Chelsea to a site on the south bank as part of St. Thomas’s hospital, although the RBKC is working to ensure that the hospital stays in Chelsea.
Crossrail2: Given delays to Crossrail1 and the government’s current budget challenges dealing with COVID, the timing for the Crossrail2 line remains uncertain, as does the likelihood of a station in Chelsea. TfL has not recently provided any updates on their current views on the Chelsea station, nor on the overall project.
196-222 Kings Road (Habitat/Curzon): The Cadogan Estate is continuing their work on the property at 196-222 Kings Road. The old building has been demolished with only the historic façade of the original art-deco Gaumont Palace building on the King’s Road remaining. The construction firm Wates has driven piles for the new structure, and construction is expected to continue throughout 2021. Overall the project is expected to take approximately four years with completion in 2023. The most current information on the development is available on the Cadogan project website at https://196-222kingsroad.co.uk/.
18 Chelsea Manor Street & 232 King’s Road (the Old Post Office Sorting Office). Although work on this project started in early 2019, it now appears to have stopped, and no further information is available.
South Kensington Tube Station Consultation: SSDRA has reviewed the proposal for the re-development of the South Kensington Station. We believe that the quality of the project is good, although in our response, we have queried the mechanical services and plant equipment on the roofs to ensure that no noisy services are installed there
For current SSDRA news:
- SSDRA Community Group on WhatsApp – Please email info@SSDRA.org.uk if you would like to be added to the group.
- SSDRA Instagram at @ssdra_sw3
- SSDRA Website at www.SSDRA.org.uk. For more detailed stories and information on our area.
- SSDRA emails – To receive information on current issues, email us at info@SSDRA.org.uk to get added to our mailing list
Other important contact info:
- Police –If you need to reach the police, they can be contacted at 101 (for theft or property damage) or 999 (for more urgent matters such as mugging or attack).
- Noise & Nuisance – The RBKC noise and nuisance line is at: 020 7361 3002 or email to: environmentalhealth@rbkc.gov.uk
- Note that the SSDRA has direct contact with most of the key developers and projects. If you experience any specific issues or wish to raise any concerns, please let us know and we will try to help you
SSDRA Membership:
SSDRA Membership: If you are a resident (owner or renter) on Sydney Street, Bury Walk, Pond Place, Guthrie Street, Britten Street or Stewart’s Grove and are not currently an SSDRA member and would like to join, the annual subscription is £10. Please contact SSDRA at info@SSDRA.org.uk for joining details.
SSDRA Committee:
- Chair: Susan Spiller at chair@SSDRA.org.uk
- Treasurer: David Farlow at treasurer@SSDRA.org.uk
- Planning: Laura Carrara-Cagni at planning@SSDRA.org.uk
- Website and Communications: Seb de Lemos
- Membership: Lucinda d’Ambrumenil at membership@SSDRA.org.uk
- If you are able to assist in any area, please let us know