Covid infections are still a concern with around one in 70 people in England infected. Please follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading coronavirus. How to get vaccinated is on Camden Council’s coronavirus web page and Westminster Council’s coronavirus web page.
Spring is just around the corner and the sound of birds can be heard in the trees and hedges in Crabtree Fields public park. Camden Council’s park contractor idverde were supposed to trim the perimeter hedge of the park during the winter (when the birds are not nesting). However, they failed to complete the job properly. To make matters worse, they cut down an apple tree that I and one of the neighbours had planted, and hacked down a flourishing holly bush. To add insult to vandalism and incompetence, they have not cleared up of the rubbish that inevitably collects in the greenery — and as a result the whole place looked a mess. But this morning, five local residents donned working clothes, gloves and boots and set to work for an hour to clean it up. We removed more than two cubic metres of rubbish, and trimmed one of the hedges — setting an example to useless Camden and its crappy contractor idverde. Residents deserve better and I will be writing more about this shortly…
If you want to get in touch with us to tell us what you think of our reporting, have a question, or would like to contribute to Fitzrovia News please email us at news@fitzrovianews.com
— Linus Rees, editor
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The Fitzrovia Trust is looking for committed and community-minded people to join its Management Council.
The Fitzrovia Trust is a limited company and charity which works to improve living conditions, provide affordable housing, and manages a playground and nursery in Whitfield Street.
There are four management council meetings a year and occasionally other events or meetings. Experience in working for charities, the media, architecture, or the law would help but is not essential. Knowledge of the area, enthusiasm and commitment are far more important.
All trustees work on a voluntary, unpaid basis. More information and how to apply here (pdf).
The latest on our website
Inflationary pressures are challenging council on its plan to deliver a ‘Fairer Westminster’
Finance officers have told a cross-party group of councillors that the past year has been particularly “volatile”, with rising costs creating a challenging environment for the Labour-controlled council to deliver on its “Fairer Westminster” priorities when setting its budget for 2023 to 2024. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/30/inflationary-pressures-are-challenging-council-on-its-plan-to-deliver-a-fairer-westminster/
Council housing tenants hit with seven percent rent rise in Camden
Rents for thousands of council tenants in Camden are set to go up by seven per cent, after senior councillors approved the housing budget at a meeting in January, writes Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/25/council-housing-tenants-hit-with-seven-percent-rent-rise-in-camden/
Additional rooms at underground hotel approved despite concerns about fire safety
Twenty additional rooms can be crammed into a windowless hotel being built deep underground at Great Russell Street, after a Camden Council planning committee voted in favour of approving the plans, despite concerns about guests struggling to escape in case of a fire, writes Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/02/04/additional-rooms-at-underground-hotel-approved-despite-concerns-about-fire-safety/
Parts of new footway and carriageway on Tottenham Court Road are prone to flooding
Camden Council’s West End Project was supposed to improve the Tottenham Court Road area for pedestrians and cyclists. But blocked drains, poorly laid paving and road surfaces in places are causing flooding, even after relatively light rain, writes Simon Lamrock. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/26/parts-of-new-footway-and-carriageway-on-tottenham-court-road-are-prone-to-flooding/
Streatery at Conway Street to go, and Whitfield Street to stay
Camden Council is removing the outside eating and drinking enclosure in Conway Street but making permanent the facility in Whitfield Street, in a decision taken as a result of public consultations and trials of the schemes. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/24/streatery-at-conway-street-to-go-and-whitfield-street-to-stay/
Public consultations
Camden and Westminster are working together on a new cycle route through Fitzrovia
Camden and Westminster councils are working together to create a new cycle route along Cleveland Street and Newman Street and are asking for comments on the designs. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/31/camden-and-westminster-are-working-together-on-a-new-cycle-route-through-fitzrovia/
Licensing application: Faros, 22-24 Great Portland Street
Burak Demirelli has applied to Westminster Council for a new premises licence for Faros London (Oxford Circus) 22-24 Great Portland Street, on the corner with Margaret Street. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/20/licensing-application-faros-22-24-great-portland-street/
Licensing application: Souli, 93 Charlotte Street
Quintessence Food Ltd T/A Souli has made an application for a new premises licence at 93 Charlotte Street. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/20/licensing-application-souli-93-charlotte-street/
Licensing application: 64 Goodge Street
Fitzroy Hospitality Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence for a restaurant on the ground floor and basement of 64 Goodge Street. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/20/licensing-application-64-goodge-street/
Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, January 2023
Camden Council registered planning applications in Bloomsbury ward — which includes Fitzrovia East — during January 2023. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/13/planning-applications-in-bloomsbury-and-fitzrovia-east-january-2023/
Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, January 2023
Westminster council validated planning applications during January 2023 in Fitzrovia West. https://fitzrovianews.com/2023/01/20/planning-applications-in-fitzrovia-west-january-2023/
Printed newspapers
Our monthly printed newspaper is available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, along with the weekly Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra.