KTNF Committee Minutes
Kennistoun and Willingham TRA Hall, Willingham Terrace, Leighton Road, London NW5 2UY – 24 June 2025 – 6.30-8.30pm (6.30-7pm tea and biscuits)
In attendance: Judith Leeb, Paul Aikkila, Chris Hudson, Robert Livock, Joanna Chow, Derek Jarman, Ian Grant
1 Apologies (Brigitte 1m) Rebecca Simovic, Dee Searle
2 Introductions (All 5m)
3 Conflict of Interest (CoI) (Brigitte, Ian 1m)
Judith reported a Conflict of Interest regarding small developments in Holmes Road.
4 Previous minutes and matters arising (Ian 5m)
KTNF CIL application in for meeting space and comms development; nothing happening with High Street planters with BOMA
5 Camden Local Plan (Ian +all 10m)
Nature: Where are resources coming from; where are the SMART objectives; what about disappearing gardens?
Housing: Local Plan prioritises land use for self-contained residential housing -11,500 homes targeted – with 50% affordable (3000 or 26% likely to be viable and deliverable); lot of student accommodation, a concern; 14,000 short lets or empty homes in plan; 8000 households on the waiting list;
Transport: very general; regulations not monitored; lack holistic approach
Paul: On 10 March Camden announced the option of Regis Road Recycling Centre moving to the Police Station site (parking lot of KT Police Station). It is 100m away from Kentish Town Road and close to Inkerman Conservation area and St Patrick’s School. Collective response document being put together prior to Camden Local Plan deadline.
Decision: KTNF objects to siting the Recycling Centre in the existing Police Car Park. KTNF signed objection form.
There is talk about the option sharing the site with Islington (off Holloway Road) as an alternative.
Concerns that Holmes Road Depot contains the control room of CCTV for whole of Camden. Where is this being re-sited?
6 2 Prince of Wales (Exec 5m)
Meanwhile space being used. Rented to artists and yoga classes. Well attended community meal in April. Co-design process for permanent use has begun. Kentish Town Connects meetings taking place there. Camden Council planning application for the building coming soon.
Decision: Camden Council reps to brief committee in September. (Subsequently a planning application came in with a deadline of 28/7)
7 Regis Road developments (Exec 5m)
Reported issues between Camden Council and Yoo over green corridor along the rail track. Concerns expressed there are too many film studios cropping up in England (eg Sunderland and Hertfordshire) and the industry is very vulnerable to tariff changes.
8 New Neighbourhood Plan (Exec 5m)
Action: Dee to produce a draft Google Doc on New Neighbourhood Plan for September.
9 Responses on Planning apps (procedures) and communications with press (Brigitte, Judith, Ian 10m) Decision
Camden Council advised us to say:” We offer No Comment” when responding to minor and householder planning applications. We were saying: “we neither object nor don’t object.” The advised us to put our responses on the web portal even if we send a response via email. There are three buttons: Object, Comment, Support. Even if we partially support and part object – we put that in object. No comment goes in comment.
Judith is stepping back from monitoring responding to planning applications. Need someone from the committee to take on the job. There will be less applications coming in given Government planning changes.
Decision: Members of the committee have to do a write up of our response – at least once a year. Brigitte does the project management and will send the application out, if it is considered important or controversial. Joanna volunteered to do a write-up. Need a rota – to be decided at September meeting.
10 Planning Applications – Hotel, Padel Court, MAP Café, Railway Club, 233 KTR – ex Santander unit + upcoming
(Brigitte and Judith 15m)
The committee discussed consideration of elections coming up in relation to planning decisions.
Hotel above MacDonald’s: voted through despite some KTNF concerns Padel Court in Canteloes: KTNF did not object.
MAP Café – licensing for late night events. Few neighbours in support of application. KTNF did not comment.
Railway Club – Wiblin Mews – under previous planning application needed affordable housing. Developers now say they can’t afford affordable housing. We objected to the planning application on the grounds that affordable housing is necessary.
233 Kentish Town Road – ex-Santander, current British Heart Foundation. Plans for radical façade and new retail on ground floor with residential above. Planning application to come (at time of writing).
11 Holmes Road Healthy streets – group (Judith 5m) Decision
Healthy Streets on Holmes Road – extend to French School. Two other streets have more traffic, part of Willes Road and Grafton Road. A consultation coming. Steering group – WhatsApp group. Practical experience for the future.
Decision: Judith to create a WhatsApp group.
12 PUBS update – the Grafton + (Rebecca 5m) Decision
The Pineapple and The Assembly House have designated as Assets of Community Value by Camden Council. Thanks to Rebecca and the ACV team.
Grafton has a drains problem, and they don’t have support from owner to carry on.
Decision: Committee support for an Asset of Community Value for the Grafton.
13 Amnesty Bookshop position (Ian 5m) Decision
No agreement to sign petition. Concern over where we put our resources.
Decision: KTNF agrees not to sign the petition
14 Planning response from Camden | High St planters | CIL application | (Ian 5m)
Covered in previous points
15 Licensing update
Joanna to attend July meeting.
Film Festival update (5m) Joanna, Liz) 5m
Camdenist is not proceeding with Kentish Town Film Festival. Lack of a sponsor, a key issue. They are keen to carry it on next year.
16 AoB
Date of next meeting: 18 September 18.30 – 20.30
KTNF Committee Meeting Minutes – March 31 2025
Kennistoun and Willingham TRA Hall, Willingham Terrace, Leighton Road, London NW5 2UY 7-8.30pm
In Attendance: Judith Leeb, James Shakespeare, Aby Owen, Joanna Chow, Dee Searle, John Webb (part), Brigitte Ascher, Rebecca Simovic, Liz Sheridan, Chris Hudson, Ian Grant
1 Apologies (Brigitte 1m) Graeme Caul, Robert Livock
2 Introductions (All 10m)
3 Conflict of Interest (Brigitte, Ian 1m)
None
4 Previous minutes and matters arising (Ian 5m)
2, Prince of Wales Road – open day 24 April; Camden want people to be part of co design group; any books and plants grateful received.
ACTION: Dee to send details of co-design group etc.
5 Committee and committee officers 2025 (Brigitte, Ian 10m)
The current officers want to stand for 2025/6 Ian. Dee, Judith, Brigitte – proposed by Rebecca, seconded by Liz.
6 2025 Proposed Work Programme, sub-committees, and task groups:
New Plan – Dee is leading. Re-do the plan to update it from 2016 to reflect changes.
Local Plan, London Plan, and consultations. Ian leading. London Plan and local plan coming up this year – important as they sit above the Kentish Town Neighbourhood Plan and determine the scope of the new plan.
Regis Road and CFQ – Judith leading. Continuing the work done on consultations and guidance and responding to the forthcoming planning application
Pubs and Assets of Community Value – Rebecca leading. Offers protection from developers. Involves research on pubs and canvassing opinions.
Business and Licensing – Joanna to attend Licensing meetings and report back to committee.
Diversity and Inclusion – Ian and others as appropriate – following on from redesignation.
Green Gateways (dormant – could be revived)
7 Objection to Hotel above MacDonalds – 2024/4116/P for a 74-room hotel at 293-299, 301-305 Kentish Town Road and 8 Holmes Road) Rebecca + (10m)
Micro – room hotel (hub); officers want to approve it; KTNF is attending Camden planning meeting; arguing against – point that new buildings should improve the quality of the area; compatibility with environment; health and well-being; change of use – hasn’t rented out as offices – high £ per square foot; loss of 115 potential jobs;
congestion. James – developer putting in funds for cycle hire, and 135K for environmental impact contributions.
Should push for improvements on the High Street. IARA to let KTNF represent their view.
9 Camden Film Quarter and Regis Road – latest document https://www.camden.gov.uk/regis-road-area-
guidance-supplementary-planning Dee + (10m)
Now waiting for planning application. Evidence that Yoo Capital is serious about proceeding. Were exhibiting at international property exhibition with GLA for funding.
10 Planning applications (and upcoming) Brigitte, Judith (10m)
Jay Records – building sold at auction – owners want to add an extra storey for a four-bedroom flat; reduce size of shop at the front – narrower for an extra entrance.
Railway Club development – developer says it cannot afford affordable housing due to access issues. Camden looking at viability studies.
ACTION: Judith to send round details of Jay Records
ACTION: Committee responses to Brigitte by 23 April
11 Pubs as Assets of Community Value – Rebecca (10m)
Assembly Room application sent off; next pubs – The Grafton and The Vine (June deadline); The Junction Tavern.
12 Updates: Dartmouth Park Healthy Neighbourhoods, Officer interpretations of our responses. Camden Council coming back with a new plan.
KT Planters in Kentish Town Road: Boma want to take over maintenance from Idverde; we have asked for KTNF plaque and involvement and called for meeting with Boma and the Council KTNF
Comments on householder applications – when we reply neither object nor approve are being interpreted by planning officers as KTNF does not object. KTNF has asked Dan Pope chief planner for clarification, and preference for neither object nor approve to be recorded.
13 AoB (5m)
Councillor James Slater – wants the CIL bid broken down: split between North or South ward; how much devoted to minorities consultation.
ACTION: Send in a proposal to James Slater with breakdown
ACTION: John to ask Neighbourhood Police Unit about new hardware shop.
14 Date of next meeting -17 June 18.30. Other committee meeting dates 2025 – 18 September 18.30, 1 December 1830.
Draft minutes: Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum Meeting – 19 November, 7-9.15pm, The Vine, 86 Highgate Road
In Attendance: Judith Leeb | Celia Goreham | Robert Livock | Joanna Chow | Luci
Noel | Ian Grant | Brigitte Ascher | Dee Searle | Rebecca Simovic | Liz Sheridan –
part | Observer – Dilip Lakhani
1 Apologies: Chris Hudson
2 Prince of Wales Road – update from Camden Regeneration
Jenny Dunn, Neighbourhood Spaces and Transformation Manager and James Barrell, Principal Regeneration Officer, Camden Council: Camden wants the space co created with community– testing new ways of doing things. Neutral space. Looking at a lot of operating models – civic square in Birmingham, Granville in Brent, Every One Every Day in Dagenham; Council wants to do things in different ways. £200K to run; overhaul entire building; 1600sq m over three levels; New architect IF_DO – on the GLA Framework (10 architects); they have renovated the Observer Building in Hastings with Hastings Commons – community space and workspace. Good on heritage and operability.
The project is part of We Make Camden strategy, lens of Kentish Town over this. Skills exchange, steering groups, community testing. By February – testing space – Hyper Studio advertising for free artists’ space.
Design process in 2025, using RIBA Design stages; meanwhile uses – get people in by February. Co-creation programme in 2026. Building opens in 2027. Testing community projects over a few months. Council looking for third party operators to run the building, or new community charity to run it. Majority will be affordable workspace, there will be flexible spaces rented out.
3 Conflict of interest: None
4 Previous minutes: OK
4 Regis Road Planning Framework – organising KTNF response (10m) (decision)
https://regisroadareaguidance.commonplace.is/
Everyone to send in three main points from the Framework by 8 December prior to whole committee meeting on Zoom 12 December 7pm. Deadline for responses to Camden – 23 December.
Library events on this: 5 December 4-8pm. December 14 11am-2pm.
Action: Everybody’s views sent into Brigitte by 8 December – main top three main points.
5 ACVs up for renewal in April – Pineapple and Old Farm House + new: The
Junction Tavern, The Bull and Gate, The Assembly House, The Abbey Tavern, and
Quinn’s. (decision) (10m).
Rebecca – good learning experience. Survey Monkey especially useful. QR codes could be useful. Ask for volunteers for this at the AGM.
Action: KTNF wants to proceed with the ACVs. On the agenda for AGM and next committee meeting. (Previous ACV committee to gear up for April deadline)
6 Quick updates – Raglan Street – exhibition held in the Library – Stage One. Four storey plans for new flats. Pilot for small sites. Issues for terrace block behind.
Car Wash site (Judith, Brigitte) (5m) – minor changes, widened pavement by the bus
stop. Not commenting on this.
Alma, Grafton and Gaisford applications – discuss approach (Judith and Brigitte)
(decision). Appeal v refusal for concrete over garden for parking. Also building flats and
small buildings in garden space. 50% rule difficulty – original space or existing space.
Action: Need overall policy statement from KTNF including flooding policy. Needs to be
integrated into the new plan.
7 Hotel above McDonalds/ Holmes Road (Judith) (5m)
Sent out representation and objection. Big lobby needed. Lack of windows. Very
congested. Micro hotels need bigger lobby spaces. Another Stay Club or hostel? Lot
more coming and going and congestion.
8 2025/6 KTNF committee and groups – including Regis Road and CFQ | New Plan
| ACVs | Equality Diversity and Inclusion (Ian) (10m)
All current members want to stand again except Luci who is standing down – moved
business from Kentish Town. On planning responses need more committee involvement
and a project manager for individual plans.
9 Committee for 2025/6. What action and involvement (Executive) (decision) (10m)
Action: Ask at AGM for new people to join our committee. Need help on email
marketing. On-board schools. Contact Acland Burghley.
10 Ideas for speakers at AGM (draft date 29 January | 5 February at the KTCC)
Discussed – IF_DO – the architects for 2 PoW Road, Pubs and ACVs – Camra –
Joanne, North London Pubs Protection Officer, Jo from Southampton Arms, Joanna –
ask what they need from the local community to flourish.
Action: Ian to contact IF_Do; Dee to contact Police Community liaison officer (via John
Nicholson) with a view to speak.
9 Film festival update (Dee) (5m)
Camdenist keen to take things on – Ruby and Abby – organising and IT etc; Free
website – Freeway. Camdenist do Outreach, branding and marketing. Yes, in principle.
Need written agreement. Heads of Terms.
Action: Liz/Dee to draw up Heads of Terms and agreement with The Camdenist.
10 Twitter to other service (Dee) (decision) (5m)
Get some reposts but less used as a community resource.
Action: X to be removed from the home page of website; new service, like BlueSky –
TBD at next meeting
11 Finance and CIL application (Judith) (5m)
£430 in credit – putting in £14,000 CIL application.
12 Date for Christmas/New Year drinks (All) (decision) (5m)
Doodle to be sent for drinks.
Action: KTNF Drinks on 9 January 7pm – venue (an ACV pub, like Lion & Unicorn) TBD
13 Quick updates:
Redesignation application for KTNF has gone into Camden.
General planning – National Planning Policy Framework coming out before Christmas.
KT green mobility hubs (5m) – encouraging active transport with bike and scooter racks
but lack of acknowledgment of public transport in the consultation; comes back to
needing step free access for Kentish Town stations.
https://consultations.wearecamden.org/supporting-communities/kentish-town-green-
mobility-hubs/
Action: response from KTNF – closes 5 December.
14 AoB:
Social infrastructure for drug use. Increasing evidence of drug taking in Kentish Town,
along with burglaries and fake notes. Inviting speaker(s) on this to AGM.
14 Date of next meeting February18 or 25?
Action: Doodle to be sent for the favourite days.
Addendum from agenda: Dartmouth Park Healthy Neighbourhood Scheme – Phase 3
going ahead with extended consultation period.
Planning Committee unanimously passed Highgate Studios development.
Ex-Pizza Express Building – The Planning Committee agreed that Class E should be
kept – but with restrictions on EC and EG offices and professional services. The
councillors noted the strong need for a community use.
Jeff Waage, a retired ecologist who spoke at the last AGM has agreed to become a
consultant to KTNF on greening matters.
Minutes – KTNF Committee Meeting September 17 2024 7pm The Vine
In attendance:
Judith Leeb, Dee Searle, Robert Livock, Chris Hudson, Luci Noel, Brigitte Ascher, Liz Sheridan, Judy Sands, Ian Grant
7.05-7.30 Equalities and diversity talk to KTNF – Barbara Beckles, Equalities and Disproportionality Officer, Camden Council
1 Apologies (Brigitte)
Celia Goreham, Joanna Chow, Rebecca Simovic,
2 Conflict of Interest
None
3 Previous minutes and matters arising (Ian)
Dealt with
4 Current planning applications (Brigitte and Judith) decisions 20m: 44-46 Caversham Road NW5 2DS
Was a car park, retrospective planning permission refused. Has gone to appeal. Comments by 11 October. Committee agrees with objections from Joanna and Celia.
Action: Joanna and Celia to submit replies to KTNF planning email.
87 Holmes Road
French school, application – 2.5 storey building – part of school complex for Westminster College, corner of Holmes Road and Cathcart Street. Brings workers into Kentish Town. Staff need the building. Want to see more
greening, as taking away of a bit of playground. Healthy Streets scheme coming.
KTNF supports the application but need more greening.
Action: KTNF to submit response through planning email
Top of Kentish Town South tube station building from a Pilates studio to residential.
https://camdocs.camden.gov.uk/HPRMWebDrawer/PlanRec?q=recContainer:%222024/3404/P%22: Application no 2024/3404/P
Change from Class E to Class C – 2 residential flats under permitted development. Not much KTNF can do given this. Objections from Pilates Studio and members. Pre-pandemic floor on top – thrown out because it affected the outside. KTNF can comment objects as losing a community asset? KTNF Plan has remit to protect High Street.
Action: Celia and Joanna to send objections to KTNF planning email. 3 rd October
5 Camden Film Quarter – observations and comments summary (Dee+ all) 5m
Submitted compilation of KTNF responses. Acknowledged by Camden Film Quarter.
Action: KTNF reaction to last masterplan to be put on the website: Ian
6 2 Prince of Wales Road (Dee + all) decision 5m
1911 Edwardian ceiling – idea about preservation. Not a good idea in practice – made with fragile technique. They are preserving bits of it anyway. Camden is rethinking the plans. Council going out to tender. Went to ten architects. KTNF want to be involved. Lot of small co-working spaces vacant. Camden wants to use two thirds to commercial to cover the cost of community space. In January open to 12 small artist studios. Then a
community space later.
Action: Let Camden know we will not pursue listing, but KTNF wants to be involved in the decision- making process. Dee
7 CIL application (Judith) decision 10m
Wish list created. Take out money for pull up banner.
Action: Judith to put in the CIL application to Camden Council
8 Kentish Town Connects developments (Brigitte) 5m
Caversham outreach – River of Hope – six months of events. Created a map. Aim to make Kentish Town feel more like a community. Growing bigger. Creating website. Community group information to be put in there. RoH wants us to communicate it is happening. Note about local Illustrator who runs community mapping events and can help with websites. Christine Nicholls. (Luci)
Action: Information about River of Hope on website and in newsletter. Ian
9 Lion and Unicorn and next ACV? (Rebecca) decision 10m
Successful application for Asset of Community Value for the Lion and Unicorn. Congratulations to Rebecca and team.
10 KTRA issues and licensing update (Ian) 5m
Licensing – the core framework hours are changing, but only by a small amount. Next Council Licensing meeting is on 19 November. Councillor James Slater notified about tree replacement opposite Tesco and bike planters need plants replacing
and regular watering.
KT Lights event in November going ahead OK.
11 NPPF update and consultation response (Ian) decision 10m
Suggestion we do a joint response with other Neighbourhood forums – but a large document with limited time, many responses nationally and likely to go through with few amendments given urgency for change and large majority in Parliament.
12 Kentish Town Film show again? decision (Dee/All) 5m
KTNF still has access to website for organising film festivals – Film Freeway. Camdenist contacted KTNF to see whether we wanted to be involved in another festival. Previous film festival called – My Kentish Town. Ideas for themes – Kentish Town wildlife; Kentish Town in 2030; Kentish Town Your Vision: Our Future (based on future Neighbourhood Plan). High Street Life: Kentish Town Life. General agreement that Kentish Town Life is the
best. Agree to first stage meeting with the Camdenist.
Action: KTNF to meet with Camdenist to discuss practicalities. Dee + anyone who wants to be involved
13 AoB (including Nature Recovery Network and Dartmouth Park Heathy Neighbourhoods (Ian) 5m
Nature Recovery Network – Jeff Waage – has proposed a protected corridor from Hampstead Heath, Mortimer Terrace, along railway embankment, City Farm, through to West Kentish Town and Talacre Park.
Action: Ask Jeff Waage if he would be a consultant to KTNF. Also to write to Jeff saying KTNF supports the initiative. Ian
Dartmouth Park Heathy Neighbourhoods – KTNF submitted a response outlining the issues and suggesting amendments.
14 Date of Next Meeting 17 November 7pm The Vine
Minutes – KTNF Committee Meeting 15 July
In attendance: Robert Livock, Judith Leeb, Dee Searle, Chris Hudson, Brigitte Ascher, Rebecca Simovic, Ian Grant. Observer Judy Sands
1 Apologies (Brigitte)
Celia Goreham, Luci Noel, Joanna Chow. Liz Sheridan
2 Conflict of Interest (Ian)
None
3 Previous minutes and matters arising (Ian)
No matters arising
4 Six-month progress report (see attachments) (Ian) (10m)
Constitution change and Consultation – done | Local plan input – done | Consulting on Regis Road- done and ongoing | Kentish Town Summit – attendance and contribution – done | KTNF Walk – done | Estate days – done | Nature Recovery Networks – liaising with Highgate NF and Jeff Wragge; work to be done on website and business aims.
5 Camden Film Quarter – observations and comments (including Big Yellow decision) (All) (15m)
Big Yellow appeal granted; on Masterplan – good permeability, good affordable housing numbers; good for employment; issues with proposed height of buildings; lack of green space; traffic; and potential infringement of protected views
Action: Dee to create a Google Doc for KTNF committee comments
6 I87 Kentish Town Road – decision (see attached letter and use classes) (Dee) (15m)
Ex-Pizza Express building. Developers gained a storey higher on condition of a cinema. Now application to change use class. From sui-generis cinema, adding F1 and F2 and E. KTNF agree to F1 and F2 and for some community use but object to Class E.
Action: Dee to submit response by 27 July
7 Camden pedestrianisation.
Traffic diverted and can come up Kentish Town Road or Malden Road. Problem
at the weekend. Camden had a meeting in 2019. Groups against the proposals – not deal with Camden Town problems. Worse with plans for Ferris Wheel.
Proposals need to be more comprehensive. They are pushing the problem elsewhere. Not good reasons why they are doing it.
Kentish Town Road is one of the most polluted roads; mitigates against healthy travel – off buses and into cars; Murphy, Regis Road and West Kentish Town will feed in traffic. Pedestrianised city centres out of date. Feels a dated proposal.
https://consultations.wearecamden.org/supporting-communities/camdenhighstreet/?embedded_webview=true
ACTION: KTNF to put in submission. Google doc to be created. Submission deadline is 30 August
Dartmouth Park Healthy Neighbourhoods – weblink – decision (see attached email) (Ian) (5m)
https://dartmouthpark.commonplace.is/
Action: KTNF agrees to delay for a month as proposed by Highgate Society. Ian to send email.
8 Kentish Town Summit update – information (Ian, Dee) (10m)
Aim to integrate Kentish Town groups together and facilitate more communication between groups. Have had two subsequent follow up groups. General agreement to have a yearly KT Summit. Suggestion to have quarterly meetings on different themes, such as health, youth, families and built environment. People love Kentish Town –
but where are the boundaries?
Action: Community Council idea suggested to Camden Participation Department (Dee)
9 2 Prince of Wales Road – update and listing? – decision (Dee) (10m)
Squatters in again but removed. Camden plans to proceed with design plans and let out the ground floor to community groups in 2025 and let out the first floor at a commercial rate to pay for it.
ACTION: Council is knocking down the ornate ceiling from 1913, due to what they say are structural necessities. Idea for Dee to contact Edwardian Society for potential listing.
10 Redesignation and EDI – information – see attachment (Ian) (10m)
Action: Ian to meet representative of Camden’s Equality and Diversity Department and then submit Redesignation application.
11 Lion and Unicorn and names – decision – see attachment (Rebecca) (10m)
ACTION: Rebecca to organise 21 names. Send request to committee members to send to Camden Council.
12 Planning applications (Brigitte and Judith) (10m)
61-65 Holmes Road (Stay Club) refused – reasons including height, mass scale, and absence of contribution to student housing.
5 Hargrave Place, developer appeal v refusal of one additional floor. KTNF not objecting.
Admiral Mann – KTNF promoted the first stage consultation, and contacted the developer Highgate Studios – representation sent to Kristina at Camden saying proposals should be more energy efficient
Parakeet Pub – new larger extractor duct retrospective application, could be a noise issue – need to mitigate.
ACTION: On Parakeet, Judith to ask Rafe Bartram, and Kentish Town councillor (Jenny Headlam Wells), also talk to Parakeet.
13 General planning situation – information (Ian) (5m)
Presumption to sustainable development tightened, which gives developers more power; tightening up on local plan delivery times, pro-growth, communities “can’t stop homes, but can have a say on where and the look”; lot of work expected on design codes; mandatory housing targets coming back. National Planning Policy Framework consultation imminent on changes ahead.
14 AoB including Camden consultations (10m)
Euston consultation ongoing along with a consultation on residents’ attitudes to regeneration and brownfield development.
Google doc created for CIL application
ACTION: committee members to add to funding requests
KTRA update – Caroline Hill, the chair is standing down; Festive lights going ahead (Jo taking over this),
objecting to Class E application for I87 KTR. On the film quarter, issues raised about the height and protected
view. Licensing workshop mentioned. Questioned more homes vis a vis licenses when businesses want extended hours. Happy to help on names for the application for Lion & Unicorn.
15 Date and venue of Next Meeting: The Vine 17 September
KTNF Committee Meeting April 22 2024 7pm The Vine – Agenda
Talk on Regis Road – Yoo Capital 7-7.45
Committee Meeting
In Attendance: Brigitte Ascher (secretary), Ian Grant (chair), Judith Leeb (treasurer), Celia
Goreham, Chris Hudson, Joanna Chow, Robert Livock, Luci Noel, Rebecca Simovic (adviser)
1 Apologies
Dee Searle, Liz Sheridan
2 Conflict of Interest
None.
3 Previous minutes and matters arising
No matters arising.
4 Constitution and changes – 20m Decision
Debate about representation. Main committee members represent Kentish Town organisations or are interested individuals (as per existing constitution). Fluent representation planned between new consultative committee and main committee.
Committee agreed that 51% of committee attending is a quorum and agreed the changes to constitution wording outlined in draft document.
Changes to constitution need to be sent to the members.
ACTION: Constitution changes to be sent to members (as per constitution) Ian
5 Planning update (including Stay Club) – information 10m
KTNF objected to Stay Club applications – one for office and extra rooms and one for the extra floor on top. Added comments on who they are marketing to. Sent also to Camden enforcement team. People stay only a few weeks. Mostly language tourists.
6 Alpha House – Information 5m
Regis Road building owned by Big Yellow – offices to be used by start-ups who will rent a storage space. Is this acceptable as a workplace? Camden rejected application. Big Yellow launched an appeal on basis of piecemeal plan and masterplan wouldn’t work. KTNF worked with Camden and put in an objection.
ACTION: KTNF set to attend the appeal inquiry in May.
7 Alma Street Stall + other stalls 10m Decision
Agreed we have a stall at Alma Street Fair. Chris agreed to work on the graphics for leaflets and pull-up banner and tablecloth.
ACTION: Chris to work on graphics for pull-up banner, and tablecloth. Space to be booked for the fair.
8 Pubs and ACVs Information update 5m
Rebecca submitted a draft for Lion & Unicorn to Camden Council. Lot of information collected. Used Survey Monkey (basic).
9 Licensing update Information 10m
IG and DS met with Caroline Hill to discuss joint approach. KTNF attended Camden Council licensing meeting with residents’ groups. Listened to objections to new policy and framework hours and suggestions for a new process. Camden coming back to the group with reactions to suggestions including change to policy and framework and changes the assessment process.
Discussion – difference between responsible businesses applying and Camden not enforcing their licencing policy. KTNF should support applications for responsible businesses and work with residents and businesses to solve issues. And question Camden on enforcement.
10 Finance – information 5m
KTNF is applying for CIL application.
ACTION: Get application form in (Ian, or executive)
11 Away day 5m Decision
Collective brainstorming including how we disseminate information. Luci can take on organising a half day and location in September, with help from Rebecca. Joanna offered food.
ACTION: Luci and Rebecca to produce draft away-day programme for next meeting. And to source time and venue in September. Joanna will bring food.
12 AoB
Several householder applications in the Inkerman area. Extensions by up to a third. Gardens are being diminished. In the Conservation area. Need to be careful about prescribing type of residents (i.e. families). KTNF objections would be on green space and external appearance.
Need a strategic overview. What is committee’s criteria on objecting to residential extensions – to be discussed at away day? Idea about a standard objection clause for applications like these.
ACTION: Brigitte and Judith to send out applications and await reactions.
ACTION: Luci and Rebecca to include this as an item for away day discussion
13 Date of Next meeting 15 July
Minutes of the KTNF Committee – 20 February 2024, The Vine
In Attendance: Ian Grant, Luci Noel, Brigitte Ascher, Dee Searle, Chris Hudson, Rebecca Simovic, Celia Goreham, Hannah Newman
1 Apologies
Judith Leeb, Liz Sheridan, Joanna Chow, Robert Livock, Derek Jarman (Kentish Town District Management Committee rep), Nick Mavrides (Kentish Town Business Association)
2 Conflict of Interest
Luci Noel as the owner of a local business
3 Previous minutes and matters arising
n/a
4 2024 committee and executive
All members of the executive are prepared to stand for another year (Ian, Dee, Judith, Brigitte) – Luci proposed them to the meeting and Chris seconded it.
5 2024 work programme
a) Constitution/redesignation/representation | Planning Applications | Cinema | Pubs and ACVs | Finance |
Summit and Walks
Action Ian: Invite Andrew Triggs from Camden to the next meeting to discuss redesignation and representation.
Action Ian: Invite additional observers/ potential new committee members to committee meetings to add representation from underrepresented groups (disabled, schools, estates, Bangladeshi, Black African); will invite additional people for the committee meetings planned for the rest of 2024.
b) Feedback on Camden’s Local Plan
Local Plan consultation ongoing and feedback from KTNF required, Dee to collate.
Action all: send feedback to Dee by 1 March. Deadline is 13 March.
c) Regis Road
Awaiting invite from Yoo Capital to a meeting
d) Walks
Hannah explained that Acland Burghley is developing a museum of brutalist architecture in Camden, and in connection with that is working on walks to illustrate the topic; Luci mentioned a local person who has already developed a number of local walks.
e) Planning applications
The only planning application of note is the Stay Club application for a further eight housing units for students in its location in Holmes Road; KTNF has submitted its opposition based on the disruptive impact of the 400 plus short-term student stays on the neighbourhood.
Judith emailed just prior to the meeting that Big Yellow at Alpha House has appealed the decision not to begranted planning permission in early February. A letter has been sent to neighbours.
Hannah suggested that Acland Burghley would like its interested students to be able to look at and assess planning applications; to make this possible she suggested that a summary of planning applications be written – which would be considerable additional work for KTNF. Ian suggested that he could provide a jargon-buster.
f) Cinema
The Camdenist is in the process of setting up a CIC to take on the vacant space in the old Polytechnic building and make it into an upmarket cinema/cultural hub.Dee reported that the squatters have been evicted from 2 Prince of Wales Road and she will follow up on Camden Council’s promise to give KTNF a tour when she submits KTNF views on what the building should be used for. Committee members were asked to share ideas by Monday 19 February.
g) Pubs as ACVs
Rebecca has approached the Lion & Unicorn. They will not grant permission to survey customers about what they think about the pub, so Rebecca and Dee are working with Camdenist to publicise the initiative and provide a link to KTNF’s online survey. The survey is at – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZGS59CJ
All Committee members are requested to fill out the survey and share it widely.
h) Finance
Judith emailed just before the meeting that KTNF received donations of £46.40 at the AGM. Current balance of £160.86. Expecting the CIL money of around £588 any day, which would bring the account to about £748.86.
i) Business
Camden is considering a change in licensing to support the night-time economy. Dee reported on Joanna’s behalf that she is KTNF’s liaison with the Council in her capacity as KTNF Business Coordinator. Joanna suggested that we invite a representative from Camden’s business support team to speak at a future Committee meeting.
Action (Joanna/Ian): invite a council employee to the next meeting to inform us about business-related activities.
j) Committee members involvement in the above work programme to be confirmed (ASAP)
6 Committee meetings
It was felt we should have five, rather than four, committee meetings a year – one in late April and one in mid-July.
Action Brigitte: book the location for all the meetings throughout the year and circulate the new dates and details; next meeting date TBC.
7 AoB: Luci offered to help in the organisation of a half day away day for KTNF committee members to discuss policies and issues.
Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum 