Impressions of how parts of the proposed scheme in West Hampstead could look 

• THERE was a bitter irony in the Queen’s Speech for those of us who live in West Hampstead.

The town planning reforms announced aim to give citizens more say over new developments in their neighbourhoods by handing more power to local councils. Wonderful!

Except this naively assumes the councillors listen to us. And for Camden Council that is far from true.

Just look at Landsec’s pernicious plan to crowd 14 tower blocks and some 5,000 new residents into the O2 Centre strip of land in West Hampstead.

The plan flies in the face of the government’s new Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill.

The bill aims to ensure “developments are beautiful, green and accompanied by new infrastructure and affordable housing”.

Plus that they protect our heritage, foster better environmental outcomes, and allow neighbours to shape their surroundings.

This inspiring, if wide-eyed, national vision is being ignored by Camden Council, which appears to be bowing down to Landsec’s plans solely to achieve its new housing targets.

But what does the secretary of state Michael Gove, himself, say about these new home targets?

He told BBC Radio 4 that hitting a “statistical target” is not the only measure of success, particularly “if the homes built are shoddy, in the wrong place, don’t have the infrastructure required, and are not contributing to beautiful communities.”

He could not have described Landsec’s plan better.

The tower blocks of 1,800 flats would be packed in, with little sunlight or greenery, and would badly strain and overcrowd public services.

The affordable home numbers fall well short of Camden’s own rules.

It is not too late to act.

Camden said it will accept public comment at David.Fowler@camden.gov.uk until the planning committee discusses the plan, possibly in late summer. Common sense has spoken.

Let’s see if Camden’s old guard will listen.

SHIRLEY SKEEL
Inglewood Road, NW6