This has been a busy and significant year for the Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum.
Since the successful referendum and adoption of the Belgravia Neighbourhood Plan at the start of 2024, we have been working to achieve some of the goals we set out to bring the Plan to life. These include
- Ensuring that Planning Officers and key relevant departments at Westminster City Council are fully aware of the Plan and the accompanying Design Codes. To this end we organised a presentation and walkabout for 12 Planning Officers on 11th June including those responsible for heritage and design issues. This was well received.
- We have been monitoring all planning applications in our area – over 100 to date this year. One third were in respect of major developments or extensions, including basement excavations; 20% are climate related installations (such as air conditioning and air source heat pumps), the balance being minor alterations to doors, windows, facades etc, all of which require planning permission.
- We have submitted formal objections to 12 of these where they breach the Plan or the Design Code guidelines, or could be considered inappropriate or disruptive to neighbours.
- We are very pleased to note that increasingly the Design Codes are being spontaneously mentioned in applications.
- Several major projects which are due to commence soon have consulted with us and have produced designs in line with the Plan and Design Codes. These include the redevelopment of Belgravia Garage in Eaton Mews West and the former Police Station in Ebury Square, as well as the retrofitting and refurbishment of the office block at 23 Lower Belgrave Street.
In 2025 we need to seek re-designation from Westminster City Council for a third successive 5-year term in order to continue to operate as the statutory Neighbourhood Forum looking after the interests of the built environment and residential amenity in Belgravia. The support of the community in helping us to gain this re-designation is very much appreciated.
Wishing you all a very jolly Christmas and a healthy and happy 2025.
Monica Lucas
Chairman