FN Newsletter 24-09-2023

Mid September round up of news, features and comment

We’ve had a busy start to autumn with 13 articles published since our last newsletter. So this edition is a little longer than usual.

I mentioned in the previous newsletter about the importance of public open space, and in particular Crabtree Fields park. The heatwave earlier this month demonstrated the need for trees and other greenery to provide shade. London could see regular summer temperatures of 45 degrees in the near future, making it even more important that our streets and parks have greenery, as I have previously argued. Camden Council has now said that it will appoint landscape architects early next year to redesign Crabtree Fields — an announcement that fills me with dread. Take a look at Whitfield Gardens and Alfred Place. Both have a minimum of greenery and none of them provide much, if any, habitat for wildlife. Unlike Crabtree Fields which is home to robins, blackbirds, tits, finches and bats, which all feed on the insects that the trees, shrubs and wildflowers attract.

I’m pleased that Westminster Council has passed a resolution to promote biodiversity.

Covid-19 remains a major threat. Over 1.25mn people are estimated to be currently infected in the UK. You can protect yourself and others by wearing a face mask in crowded indoor places. Please follow NHS advice to avoid catching and spreading the virus.

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 latest on our website

Camden to appoint landscape architects for Crabtree Fields redesign

Camden Council has announced that it will appoint landscape architects next year to redesign Crabtree Fields public open space — a decision that will likely see the destruction of much of the park’s greenery and habitat for wildlife.

AI assisted CCTV to track fly tipping fails to catch a single offender

New CCTV cameras which use artificial intelligence (AI) to track fly-tippers in central London have earned nothing in fines since going live in February, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Youth charity seeks a new chairperson for its board of trustees

Local charity Fitzrovia Youth in Action (FYA) has announced it is looking for a new chairperson to lead the organisation through what it describes as “an exciting period of development”.

Bedford Passage and Tottenham Mews construction sites

Construction work on two major sites in Fitzrovia is currently taking place side by side.

Velorution cycle brand to close all shops and online store

In a blow to sustainable transport in Fitzrovia and across London independent cycle shop Velorution will be closing all its stores this month — bringing an abrupt end to the brand’s long history with the neighbourhood.

Westminster Council to pay £12.5k in compensation to tenants after ombudsman investigations of complaints

Westminster Council is to pay out over £12,500 in compensation to tenants after complaints about the standard of service were upheld by ombudsman investigations.

Councillors taunt each other during motion to declare ecological emergency in Westminster

A Westminster City Council meeting of the full council descended into a shouting match and jeers after a motion declaring an “ecological emergency” was passed.

AgeUK guest speakers at Camden private tenants AGM 2023

Camden Federation of Private Tenants will have two guest speakers from AgeUK at its 2023 annual general meeting this month to advise residents on how to avoid being scammed.

New local newspaper and news site for Kings Cross and Bloomsbury to be launched

A new local news publication will be launched this month to serve an area centred on Kings Cross on the boundary with Camden and Islington.

Public consultations

Licensing application: SCJ Picnic to Korea, 16 Bloomsbury Street

SCJ Picnic to Korea Ltd has applied to Camden Council for a new premises licence at 16 Bloomsbury Street.

Planning applications and appeals in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia East, September 2023

Camden Council has registered 50 planning applications so far during September 2023 in Bloomsbury ward, which includes Fitzrovia East.

Planning applications and appeals in Fitzrovia West, September 2023

Westminster Council has validated a number of planning application so far during September 2023 in Fitzrovia West. An appeal has also been lodged against a planning application decision.

Westminster Council seeks views of tenants and leaseholders on its housing compensation policy

Westminster Council wants its housing tenants and leaseholders to give their views on a new draft of its Housing Compensation Policy, which aims to improve the way the local authority makes amends to residents when it fails to deliver a service.

Mortimer and Wigmore Streets TMO published by Westminster Council

Westminster Council has published the Traffic Management Order (TMO) proposing to change the flow of traffic from one-way to two-way working along Mortimer Street and Wigmore Street, as part of its Oxford Street Programme.

Printed newspapers

Our September printed newspaper is available from outside Fitzrovia Community Centre, 2 Foley Street, along with the weekly Camden New Journal and the Westminster Extra. See the newspaper archive for back issues of Fitzrovia News. We aim to produce a printed issue at least four times a year.

News from elsewhere

This Morning star Dr. Uchenna Okoye dies after 'sudden illness'

Dr. Uchenna Okoye, who ran a dental practice on Goodge Street, died aged just 53.