Dear Member,
Can I start once again by sending you all my best wishes and hoping that you are taking care and following Government instructions to ensure that we beat Covid-19 as quickly as possible.
Despite the difficulties posed by the ‘new normal’, I am happy to report that progress with the activities of the Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum has continued over the past six months since my last communication. Highlights of our activities over the summer and early autumn include:
- Progressing the draft of the Neighbourhood Plan, now at a well-advanced stage
- Commissioning a report on design guidelines for the Belgravia Forum area from architects Pilbrow and Partners. This will form an important part of the Plan as it sets out the Design Codes for future building and development in Belgravia
- Engaging with Council planners, developers and the community on a number of planning applications and potential future projects that could be impacted by the Plan’s building design principles
- Holding our AGM on 24th September 2020 at which we reported back to the membership on progress as well as confirming the appointment to the Steering Group of three new SG members who had been co-opted over the past year. These include Revd. John Pearson-Hicks of St Barnabas Church; Lee Kelly, the new manager of the Berkeley Hotel; and long-time resident, Vicki Read.
I also wanted to alert you to our next upcoming consultation event, which will take place on Monday, 14th December 2020 (6.30 p.m.) when we will be presenting the proposed content of the Neighbourhood Plan and inviting questions and comments. Ideally, we would have done this at a physical meeting, but under current circumstances it will be virtual (by Zoom). This will be an Open meeting and this invitation is to all who live or work in the area of the Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum. It will be the last opportunity to join a constructive discussion of all the key objectives and policies that form part of the Plan. Soon after the meeting we will be ready to enter into the formal procedures of the Plan review, culminating in a local referendum in due course. Please watch out for the login details which will be sent out nearer the time and also posted on the Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum’s website.
Wishing you the best of health and success in your current endeavours
Yours sincerely
Dennis Wheatland
Chairman