‘This redesignation in Belsize Village creates a real risk for the area’

• CAMDEN Council is carrying a consultation running up to January 21 to turn Belsize Village terrace permanently into a “street trading” space.

Belsize Terrace always has been a space where our community of all ages came to meet, a unique, car-free, pedestrianised, space where multi-generations purposefully come to rest, meet, connect, build relationships and play.

Why is the council proposing to change the designation? The launch of the streatery was a positive initiative to support businesses through the pandemic.

All businesses have now access to outside space by their premises and our support to maintain pavement licences which are not part of the streatery.

The terrace is a separate public space and we should be challenging the council and local businesses to view this as community space.

This redesignation creates a real risk for the area. It is likely to invite other forms of street trading in the future affecting further safety, traffic, and noise pollution.

Furthermore a redesignation is likely to change the character of the area, attracting more coffee shops and restaurants adjacent to the terrace, crowding out other businesses.

How is Camden taking into account the needs and future of businesses other than restaurants?

Belsize residents and businesses should all work together to share the village community space. The streatery, an innovative idea, could be adapted.

Each restaurant around the terrace has access to outdoor space via pavement licences immediately outside their premises which are not part of this consultation.

Currently the Belsize Village streatery is practically underused. The space in the square is used almost entirely by only one restaurant directly adjacent to it and only during the morning. In the afternoon the tables are almost always empty occupying, unnecessarily, a large part of the square.

In the summer residents also need free space to enjoy good weather. An alternative set-up is needed where we share the space with the businesses.

For this to happen we need to oppose the redesignation. See the consultation until January 21 at: https://www.camden.gov.uk/esignation-consultation or email to: licensingenquiry@camden.gov.uk

MARIA SEBASTIA, NW3