The first block that will be built if the planning application for the Finchley Road 02 Centre is approved 

• ALL seven West Hampstead and Fortune Green Labour councillors and candidates were in attendance at West Hampstead Amenity & Transport annual meeting and WHAT About the O2 Development Scheme event on Wednesday February 16.

This private development proposed by Land Securities of the O2 Centre on Finchley Road and surrounding land is of huge public interest to our area and constituents. The planning application has now been submitted by Landsec and is available on Camden Council’s website (ref 2022/0528/P).

At the meeting Camden’s chief planning officer confirmed the consultation period for this planning application would extend beyond the statutory 21-day period, recognising the size of the proposal. They helpfully outlined what can and cannot be taken into account in consideration of a application, as well as the harm versus benefit measures the council uses.

This was highly informative in considering the most effective way to respond to the application and highlights why campaigning bodies and public forums such as WHAT are so important in informing the community and creating opportunity for debate.

We raised questions at the meeting; including: making it clear we will demand an increase in the percentage of affordable housing proposed by Landsec and ensuring it is an adequate size for families; securing benefit to local people asking whether they will be prioritised in allocation of affordable housing; demanding commitment to community benefit such as health facilities and step-free access at West Hampstead tube station in the first phase of development; expressing height and density concerns with the proposed development being three times higher than the national average.

Your Labour candidates in West Hampstead and Fortune Green continue to listen to residents’ views on this development and continue to keep the community informed on consultation opportunities.

SHARON HARDWICK
CLLR NAZMA RAHMAN
CLLR SHIVA TIWARI
CLLR PETER TAHERI
West Hampstead ward

LORNA GREENWOOD
CLLR RICHARD OLSZEWSKI MARCUS STORM
Fortune Green ward