FN Newsletter 05-03-2025

Early March 2025 round up of news, features, comment, public consultations, and local democracy reports from The Fitzrovia News

The main story in this issue is Mayor Khan’s announcement of a public consultation on the regeneration of Oxford Street and the inclusion of a large part of Fitzrovia within the Mayoral Development Area (skip to the headlines below if you’re not interested, as I have rather a lot to write about this).

The mayor is seeking views on the scope of the Mayoral Development Area (MDA) and Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), as well as the principle of pedestrianising Oxford Street — but has not released any information about how and where motor traffic and cyclists will be diverted. He wants to pedestrianise the whole street but in phases, starting with the western section between Oxford Circus and Selfridges. Pedestrianisation of the eastern section “will happen later rather than sooner”.

Khan has released a lot of detail of the scope of the Mayoral Development Area (MDA) and the make up of the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC). Within the MDA the MDC would have powers for setting planning policy and deciding planning applications; the GLA would collect business rates and Council Tax; and would take the s106 receipts and Community Infrastructure Levy which is currently collected by either Camden or Westminster councils from property development in the neighbourhood. (Education, social services, environmental services, and management of the conservation areas will continue to be run by Camden and Westminster councils.)

The MDC would be controlled by a board of up to 13 members including an independent chair appointed by the Mayor. It would include one elected member from each of Westminster and Camden councils; two other individuals nominated by Westminster Council; and up to eight individuals appointed by the Mayor. It would be established by 1 January 2026 and would run for an indefinite number of years but will be reviewed by 1 January 2029 and then every few years as the mayor sees fit. Read and listen to an interview with Sadiq Khan here.

Aside from the threat of displaced motor traffic, of great concern for residents in Fitzrovia is the nature of the MDA considering that the mayor’s press release included a comment from Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, who said: “The exciting plans for Oxford Street would turn it into one of Europe’s biggest plazas. With pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants taking centre stage, we hope we can showcase, on one of the world’s most famous streets, how it’s possible to break down planning and licensing barriers to generate a thriving social scene. This type of hospitality-led regeneration can truly allow Oxford Street to thrive and further enhance London's offering.”

While more bars and restaurants may be fine on Oxford Street, the MDA red line extends up to Goodge Street in Fitzrovia — something that is a great worry for local residents.

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As always, look after your and others’ health: Covid cases have remained relatively low for the past 15 weeks. But cases of norovirus are rising, and is spread through contact and by airborne transmission. Wear a face mask if you are indoors in public spaces, and maintain good hand hygiene.

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 The Fitzrovia News please email us at news@fitzrovianews.com — and you can keep up with the latest by following us on Bluesky.

— Linus Rees, editor

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News

Proposed Oxford Street development area includes huge part of Fitzrovia

Sir Sadiq Khan intends to include a huge part of Fitzrovia in his Mayoral Development Area (MDA) to transform and pedestrianise Oxford Street, according to a public consultation on the proposals.

Interview: Sadiq Khan answers questions on Oxford Street

Sadiq Khan’s latest plan to transform Oxford Street includes a raft of changes alongside the well-known pedestrianisation, with new cycle routes and a “world class” public space. Public consultation on the Mayor’s plan, which includes the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), launched on Friday and will run for six weeks.

Camden Council apologises for pollution from film shoot

Camden Council has apologised to residents and businesses in Fitzrovia for noise and air pollution from production crews during a film shoot in Fitzroy Square.

Observer staff to be based in Berners Street

When Tortoise Media begins its publication of the Observer newspaper and news site in the spring this year, staff will be based at its offices in Berners Street in Fitzrovia.

Boulting gallery closes after 13 years on Riding House Street

An art gallery in Fitzrovia known for its exhibitions of works by women photographers has suddenly closed after more than a decade on the corner of Candover Street and Riding House Street.

Mortimer Street and Wigmore Street open to two-way traffic

Previously one-way sections of Mortimer Street and Wigmore Street opened to two-way traffic at midday on Sunday.

Cycling becomes two-way on Foley, Nassau, and Riding House Street

Westminster Council has created cycle contra-flows on three one-way streets in Fitzrovia West to improve cycling permeability across the neighbourhood.

Number of London street homeless rises to 14 year high

The number of people sleeping out on the streets in England has risen for the third year in a row, with the largest increase seen in London according to data released at the end of February.

Investigation may uncover Civil War defences under Oxford Street

Redevelopment of buildings on the northwest corner of Oxford Street and Rathbone Place will give archaeologists an opportunity to search for evidence of the location of London’s Civil War defences.

Features

Author Paul Willetts chats with Clive Jennings about Soho and Fitzrovia

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Paul Willetts, author of five books including Fear and Loathing in Fitzrovia and North Soho 999, will be in conversation with Fitzrovia News arts editor Clive Jennings at an event in March.

Darren Coffield talks with Clive Jennings at The Wheatsheaf

Author and artist Darren Coffield will be talking to Fitzrovia News arts editor Clive Jennings for a Sohemian Society event at the upstairs room of The Wheatsheaf pub in March.

Jorge Jobim at Tache gallery

London-based painter, photographer and jazz musician Jorge Jobim will be exhibiting at Tache gallery in Percy Street during March.

History notes: the Cartwright St Pancras Estate

The latest edition of Camden History Society’s annual journal has an interesting article entitled: “The Cartwrights and Fitzrovia’s forgotten estate.”

History notes: Joseph Lister at Maple Street

Joseph Lister (1827-1912) was a pioneer of antiseptic surgical practice, and lived at 52 Maple Street (formerly 28 London Street) Fitzrovia when he was a student.

Public consultations

Licensing application: 160 Great Portland Street

Amereida Ltd has applied to Westminster Council for a new premises licence for 160 Great Portland Street on the corner with Clipstone Street in Fitzrovia West.

Licensing application: Dal Fiorentino, 15 Great Titchfield Street

Dal Fiorentino Ltd has applied to Westminster Council for a new premises licence for the basement and ground floor at 15 Great Titchfield Street in Fitzrovia West.

Licensing application: The Wheatsheaf, 25 Rathbone Place

Mitchells and Butlers Leisure Retail Limited has applied to Camden Council to vary the premises licence for The Wheatsheaf pub at 25 Rathbone Place in Fitzrovia.

Licensing application: Selene, Mappin House, 4 Winsley Street

Kushtrim Makolli has applied to Westminster Council for a variation of the premises licence for Selene, Mappin House, 4 Winsley Street, in Fitzrovia West.

Planning applications in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, February 2025

Camden Council registered planning applications in Bloomsbury ward, which includes Fitzrovia East, so far during February 2025.

Planning applications in Fitzrovia West, February 2025

Westminster Council has validated planning applications during February 2025 in the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association amenity society and Fitzrovia West designated neighbourhood area.

Camden Council seeks residents’ views on new licensing policy

Camden Council is asking residents to comment on controversial changes to its licensing policy which includes making it easier for businesses to sell alcohol and hot food for 30 minutes later at night, and promoting “sensible drinking” and the “health benefits” of alcohol.

Local democracy reports

Camden Council accused of ‘silencing democracy’ as police remove protesters

Camden Council called in police officers to remove people from the public gallery at the meeting of the full council this week, after a discussion about rule changes to ban flags and banners met with severe backlash from protesters.

Westminster Council plans extra funding for care assistants

A disability campaigner has praised Westminster Council for putting an extra £1.4mn into funding for care assistants, as part of its budget proposals for the new financial year.

Campaigners say short-term lets are ‘hollowing out our city’

Campaigners have accused short-term let (STL) landlords of “hollowing out our city” after new data found one in 32 London homes were used for short stays in 2024.

New CCTV cameras ‘not enough’ to stop crime in Westminster says opposition leader

The opposition leader of Westminster Council has said plans for 200 new CCTV cameras across the borough is “not enough” to stop the current crime wave.

Camden schools have high absence rates despite ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ teaching

Concerns have been raised over the number of Camden pupils missing school, as a new report reveals the borough has one of the worst attendance rates in London.

Westminster Council awarded highest possible grade for its housing

Westminster City Council has become the first London local authority to be granted the highest rating by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Camden adult social care services rated ‘outstanding’ by regulator

Adult social care services in Camden have received an “outstanding” rating from the UK’s independent health regulator, with staff praised for “going the extra mile”.

Cost of net-zero in Camden ‘far exceeds’ available funding

Camden Council is confronting mounting costs linked to decarbonising the borough as the Town Hall publishes its second official climate budget, part of its overall funding proposals for the coming year.

Mayor Khan urged to maintain funding for Royal Parks Police

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan faced fresh calls on Tuesday to “ring-fence funding” to protect the Royal Parks Police, amid concerns over armed criminal gangs capitalising on cuts.

Printed newspapers

Our March printed news-sheet is out and available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street. See the newspaper archive for back issues of The Fitzrovia News. We aim to produce a two-page, printed issue at least four times a year. Local weeklies the Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra are also available outside the Community Centre and they also have an archive where you can view the full Camden and Westminster printed editions.

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