A NEW approach to the laws governing basement projects to trying to find ways to cut high levels of killer pollutants caused by parents driving children to private schools, are some of the raft of measures put forward in a new plan drawn up by the Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum.

The plan, drawn up over three years, has been submitted to Camden Council to consider. It will then be checked by an independent external planning expert before being put to a vote by more than 5,000 people who live in the area, which covers Hampstead Village in the north to South End Green, and across Fitzjohn’s Avenue down to Finchley Road.

The forums were set up under the 2011 Localism Act and chairwoman Janine Griffis said the plan – the fourth in the borough to reach this stage – takes into account the wishes of people who live there and tackles thorny questions such as traffic, over-development, basement projects, protecting open spaces, encouraging a mix of businesses and trying to ensure Hampstead does not become solely an enclave for the super-wealthy by protecting a mix of housing.

She said: “Our proposed vision is to conserve and foster Hampstead’s charm and liveability by protecting the distinctive character of buildings and open spaces, the Heath, healthy living, community spirit and the local economy.”

In an opening statement, the plan states the Forum wants to ensure “Hampstead is lively and contemporary, while safeguarding the fine heritage of streets and buildings…Enduringly green, with the Heath, open spaces, trees and landscapes well protected…Safe and walkable, with good public transport and alternatives to use of cars… Business-friendly – to meet needs of residents, workers and visitors and back local enterprise, and a community with good amenities, a sense of belonging and mutual support.”

With such a brief, it is no surprise that they seek to strengthen planning law around basement constructions. It has been perhaps the biggest issue in terms of development in the area in recent years, with a spate of well-off homeowners seeking to maximise their house’s space – much to the anger of neighbours, who say new basement excavations are vanity projects which cause subsidence, flooding, and construction nuisance.

The plan has a specific section dealing with people who want to carve basements out beneath their houses, and outlines the issues that surround these controversial schemes. The draft adds: “Like all successful areas, it faces a number of pressures. A strong property market brings constant demand for development, which requires careful management if the aspects that residents love about Hampstead are to be maintained.

As in other parts of London, the desire of property owners to expand available space and enhance values, especially through the addition of basements, creates tensions.” The plan highlights what they cite as conditions particular to Hampstead that mean basement projects carry extra risks.

It states: “Hampstead has a unique set of conditions that mean basement construction can inflict structural damage and trigger flood risks on susceptible neighbouring properties.” This stems from the fact that Hampstead is on a hill, with clay sitting on sand and gets a higher amount of rainfall than any other area in London. The Forum says any homeowner must complete a basement impact assessment and ensure the risk to neighbours is minimal.

It also lays out details of what any plans for a new basement must include, adding a new layer of requirements to the Town Hall’s current planning regulations.

A 15-year vision…

THE Forum’s plan covers an area with seven Grade I-listed properties – Burgh House, Fenton House, St Stephen’s Rosslyn Hill, St John’s Church Downshire Hill, Romney House, 6 Ellerdale Road and Keats House – as well as more than 20 Grade II*-listed and hundreds of Grade II-listed properties and features in the area.

Perrins Walk and Church Row are not included – as the people living there have decided to set up a separate Neighbourhood Forum. The plan, if adopted, will run for 15 years. It calls for a blanket ban on any vehicle over 7.5 tons from entering the area. It calls for Transport for London (TfL) to extend the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) cycle hire scheme to Hampstead.

Due to more people using Hampstead Heath Overground station, they call for substantial investment into the public realm of South End Green to cope. See http://www.hampsteadforum.org for more information.