Glasses were raised on Thursday evening to the community teamwork which have made Dumpton Place a pleasant place to be

TWELVE years since plans were discussed for the transformation of a Primrose Hill cul-de-sac, the amazing results in Dumpton Place – wider pavements, traffic calming, bike racks and planting – have finally been revealed.

The cobbled dead end street located off Gloucester Avenue is of historical importance as it was once used as an access route for Victorian railways to top-up steam trains with water.

In 2012, Primrose Hill conservation area advisory committee put suggestions to Camden Council to redesign Dumpton Place, which was overrun with parked cars and bins.

What has been finished is a special space – trees have been added to the underplanting, extended pavement can be better used by the Lansdowne pub, and a raised road ensures only essential traffic uses the space.

Images from Dumpton Place as it looks now

Richard Simpson, chair of Primrose Hill conservation area advisory committee said: “We want all the bits of the conservation area to be looked after and the project has really brought different aspects of the community together, such as Network Rail restoring the wall and local people who have joined in on the effort. The volunteer team of around a dozen people has been fantastic watering and weeding.

“Local people have been so engaged in the project and it has created a future for local engagement in the community. Twelve years ago we decided to do something about Dumpton Place as every bit of the conservation area needed to be loved so we set up a working group and have achieved a remarkable feat.

“Before now Dumpton Place was basically a car park, taken over by cars, vans and waste bins. Now it looks like a place for people, people can sit and enjoy it.”

He added: “I would like to acknowledge the relationship with the council officers. Local people and the committee have worked closely with the team from Camden who have shown phenomenal knowledge of the area. The Lansdowne pub has also been open to conversations about recycling and how the public space is used.”

There were several obstacles over the 12 years to conclude the refurbishment of Dumpton Place such as technical challenges of integrating a unique space with Camden’s standard specifications, as well as the Covid pandemic which slowed the work.

Lazzaro Pietragnoli, a former Camden councillor and mayor of Camden who was closely involved in the project, said: “There was a real determination from the conservation committee. Dumpton Place itself is located in a very lively area, in the middle of Primrose Hill and there was upset from local people and there was a historical reason to save Dumpton Place.

“Involvement from local people has been so important over the years. It was important to celebrate together after so many years of fighting, and to see the results of all this hard work.

“The community will see the result, and I hope that the inspiration of Dumpton Place will make more of the community get involved in other projects. This project has given hope and strength to local people showing how well we can all work together, on local campaigns particularly.”