by FitzWest admin | Feb 1, 2021 | Consultations, Environment, Greening, Our Neighbourhood
We want your ideas
The problem of on-street rubbish dumping and the need for more greenery are frequently mentioned by our members as important issues for all of us living and working in Fitzrovia.
The FitzWest Forum has supported various schemes to improve waste collection and deal with fly tipping. There is still a lot of progress to be made in this area and discussions are on going with Westminster Council on ways to deal with this.
One way to combat dumping is by improving the street scape – and a relatively quick way to do this is by planting and greening. The hope is that this will both deter dumping and also bring some much needed greenery into the area. We are planning to apply for funding from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is a levy that local authorities can choose to charge on new developments in their area. The money is used to support development by funding infrastructure that the council, local community and neighbourhoods want.
We are very keen to for our members to suggest where potential planting could take place. With the help of the wider membership last year, we had previously identified various ‘dumping hot spots’ which you can see on the map. We have two questions for you.
- Which of these do you think would be best suited for adding planters and greening?
- Are there any other places you would suggest? Several sites have been identified in the central area of FitzWest – but what about the North and South?
Please comment on this page or email your ideas to us at info@fitzwest.org. We will collect all the suggestions together and select the most popular locations for our application.
by FitzWest admin | Nov 23, 2020 | Licensing, Our Neighbourhood, Planning
Your chance to be involved
We want an opportunity for the wider membership of the FitzWest Forum to have an input into the Council decisions around planning and licensing and we are aware it is difficult for residents and businesses to keep track of the many applications that affect Fitzrovia.
So we are creating a small committee of local residents to keep an eye on applications and draw attention to ones that are important. The committee will meet every 4-6 weeks, currently by Zoom, and discusses the implications of various applications. It’s an opportunity to have a real input and affect on Council decisions, and great for people who don’t have a lot of time but want to be involved. This committee will then influence and shape the response of the Forum to the applications.
If you would like to be on this committee please contact info@fitzwest.org
As part of our aim to include more members in important decisions, we have added a new page to our website
Planning and Licensing
Here you will find links to Westminster Council Planning and Licensing applications, a list of applications curated by Fitzrovia News and information about particular applications that affect the area and that you may want to comment on directly to the Council.
by FitzWest admin | Nov 12, 2020 | Cycling, Dining
Secure Bicycle Storage in Fitzrovia
The results of the bicycle storage consultation by Westminster Council are now available. Read the full details here: Secure Cycle Storage Report. As well as the existing bike hangar in Bolsover Street, there are now plans for three bike hangars in the Clipstone/Great Titchfield Street area and one in Clipstone Street, (all Marylebone High Street Ward).
We have suggested to WCC that there may well be demand for secure bike storage in West End Ward area of FitzWest e.g. Riding House Street, Langham Street, Hanson Street and Gosfield Street. The council is seeking an indication of the level of demand from bicycle owners. Apparently WCC identify suitable locations first and then consult residents within a 25 metre radius. So if you live on one of these roads, or anywhere else in the area that you think would benefit from secure bicycle storage then email your request to the Council: cycling@westminster.gov.uk
Alfresco Dining Scheme Extension
Westminster Council initiated the alfresco dining scheme through the summer period, but are now asking for proposals from businesses in specific areas who wish to continue further, up to March 2021. Local hospitality businesses in Great Titchfield Street and Langham Street are seeking support for a continuation of the existing arrangements for outdoor dining (a) until March 2021 and (b) permanently thereafter.
The FitzWest Forum Executive agreed we should support a continuation of the present arrangements until the end of March 2021 provided that (i) activities should cease by 10pm; (ii) no audible music outside the premises; (iii) business owners should be asked to work on the design of their spaces.
WCC are keen to hear from residents, community groups and businesses so if you support the scheme or have any feedback then write to the Council at movementstrategy@westminster.gov.uk They are looking for feedback as soon as possible.
by FitzWest admin | Sep 24, 2020 | AGM
Thank you to everyone who attended the FitzWest Forum AGM on 17th September 2020.
Because of the current restrictions, we held this meeting via Zoom and it was well attended.
Gwilym Harbottle, who was chairing the meeting, reported on the re-designation of the Forum and of various greening projects the Forum has been supporting.
Nicholas Bailey gave an update on the Neighbourhood Plan including the new delayed time scale owing to Covid restrictions. We are currently waiting to hear the feedback from the independent examiner.
Full details can be found in the minutes available here: Minutes AGM 17th Sept 20
Chris Martin of Urban Movement gave a presentation and took questions on the subject of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. The presentation is available here: Enjoyable-Cities-Streets_v8_Low-Traffic-Neighbourhoods.pdf
by FitzWest admin | Sep 5, 2020 | AGM, Events, The Plan, Uncategorized
We’re keen to ensure that our membership and Executive are fully representative of local residents and workers, since at least 35% of the population is of non-white ethnic origin. So we’re actively seeking new members and particularly to engage people from non-white ethnic groups and younger people.
As part of this aim, we have delivered leaflets to all residents and businesses in the FitzWest area inviting them to the Join the FitzWest Neighbourhood Forum and come to the next Annual Meeting on 17 September 2020 which will be run on Zoom this year.
Please share your ideas on how we could broaden our membership to make it more representative of the FitzWest population by emailing info@fitzwest.org or commenting on this post.
If you are already a member, you could help by spreading the news about the FitzWest Forum to your neighbours and colleagues. Membership is free to local residents and businesses.
The FitzWest Forum is for people concerned about: housing; traffic and deliveries, space for small businesses; the need for more play space and green space; the environment and air quality. The Forum aims to address all these issues and represents those living and working on the Westminster side of Fitzrovia. The Annual Meeting will report on progress and discuss how to improve the area. A speaker will talk about how to create a Low Traffic Neighbourhood.
If you would like to join the Annual Meeting on 17 September by Zoom please let us know by emailing info@fitzwest.org.
The consultation period for our neighbourhood plan was completed in August and it is now being examined by an independent expert.
The agenda for the next meeting will be on our website www.fitzwest.org. For all other enquiries please email info@fitzwest.org.
Make sure your voice is heard.
