AGM of the Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum 20 January 2022 – on Zoom
1 Apologies
Jenny Headlam Wells, Joanna Chow
2 Welcome from chair
3 Approval of minutes of 2022 AGM
Minutes approved
4 Presentation on Regis Road from Wen Quek senior regeneration manager part of Regeneration Team
Regis Road is a growth area in the current Local Plan with a comprehensive, employment led mixed use, backed up by Kentish Town Neighbourhood Framework. It is an integrated masterplan with emphasis on mixed use and connections to the Heath. The framework estimates around 2000 new home, and over 3000 new jobs; Regis Road – 1000 new homes pencilled in; need more efficient use of the site; intensifying industrial buildings; new pedestrian connections; potential new bridge from Murphy, zero emissions neighbourhood; new green spaces.
Land ownership needs public sector intervention and leadership; increase in social value; GLA to support delivery.
Testing out different masterplans and delivery – plot by plot, three parcels, two parcels, comprehensive development approach.
Owner occupiers want to stay – UPS, Camden Council Recycling Centre and Big Yellow; C&I NHS; some landowners have design teams including BMW and Howden with different expectations; masterplan to include properties on the High Street and Holmes Road Depot and Police site. The KTNF plan says need more connections.
Camden, GLA and Regis Road directors continue to meet regularly with a view to develop master-planning.
Q: Who owns the site? A: number of developers knocking at the door; land assembly – Camden Council not the funds to acquire all the land; see how far collaboration gets us; need land equalisations re open space across the site.
Q Low rise of area, ever increasing heights and density will affect the character of Kentish Town; A: eight storeys – over that needs justification; it is about viability; and how define it; council only owns a small part of the site; we worked on testing densities.
Recycling centre to remain or be provided again; the Planning Framework protects it. In touch with NLWA over this.
Q:What will be the impact of 5000 people on the surrounding area; A: dealt with through individual planning application; for green space need co-ordinated approach between landowners; infrastructure gain needs to be understood.
Q: Worry about traffic increase around Highgate Road and Gordon House Road currently acute A: traffic impact assessment needed with any planning application. Connections though to Homes Road – pedestrian and cycling for residents of West Kentish Town; retain the culture of Kentish Town; looking at areas beyond boundary to increase connectivity and railway viaduct, Holmes Road and Police Station; landlocked site due to railways heritage – needs more permeability.
Q: How will a traffic free site work in practice? The area needs servicing and disabled access; the rest is down to planning permission; need to improve cycle and pedestrian links from High Street to Regis Road; Howdens is important here.
5 Treasurer’s report (PS)
Income brought forward from 24 January 2021 – £225.56; Donations £136; interest £0.03 -Total £361.59
Total cash available from Jan 2021 -£176.25
Expenses – Zoom sub £86.34; website £99 – sub-total £186 – shortfall £10
6 Overview of year’s activities (RW)
Last year’s AGM – meet in person; remote meetings fairly full attendance; thanking the committee; difficult and uncertain; big year – central policies in Neighbourhood Plan; planning application for Murphy’s has been made; masterplan for Regis Road; Murphy meetings and shown around the site; developments at M & RR biggest things to hit Kentish Town.
Important additions to committee structure – up our communications internally and externally and appointed officer; all members formed specialist sub-group; planning; business, environment; and community.
Green Gateways – Camden launched Future High Streets – apply for crowdfunding maximum £35,000; 18 months; working on design iterations before sending for Camden Council for approval; then apply for crowdfunding
Planning – meetings with developer – couldn’t support application for 3-6 Spring Place – former Addison Lee site; met with developer AA Storage -at that meeting some concerns expressed on height; concerns about a beer garden in Regis Road – promoter withdrew planning application.
Business Committee – aims and objectives paper; met with Camden’s engagement officer and KTRA
First committee meeting 3 February.
7 Update on Planning applications (PS)
Main sites – Old Pizza Express Building: sold on 2 times; current owners – local property company, construction of ground and basement -for a 70 seat cinema and bar; lot of work; anticipate works complete in 2022; seeking a cinema operator. Direction that the community wants.
Carpetright site – opposite – lot of pre-conditions; spent 2 years for conditions; undertook an archaeological survey – re deep basement and piling; found artefacts form 18th century; owner keen to get contractor on site; the basement and ground floor will be retail; first floor office, upper floors residential.
8 Election of new committee for 2022 (IG)
One vacancy on the committee, if anyone interested contact us via email.
What is entailed: 6 meetings a year; join one sub-committee, invited to respond to consultations, and planning applications, invited to visits and events.
Members of the committee who want to stand for the committee again: Roger Winfield, Henry Hertzberg, Robert Livock, Chris Hudson, Celia Goreham, Judith Leeb, Dee Searle, Joanna Chow (absent), Niall Monahan, Lucy Noel, Tatiana von Preussen (absent), Joanna Chow
Proposer: Rosemary Lewin and seconder, Mike Sumner
9 KTNF and Murphy’s Yard (HH) (15)
Murphy’s Yard Outline Planning Application 2021/3225/P
Henry Herzberg outlined the plans and proposed buildings Sixty-one documents; buildings higher at centre of the site; tallest 19 storeys; phases Kentish Town to Gospel Oak; historic use of railway sheds; feeling of different heights; old loco sheds – heart of the scheme; landscaping with zig-zag ramp; view from Parliament Hill; reduction of one to two storeys.
KTNF Plan broadly in line with proposals so support – public route; comprehensive way; mix of housing and work-space – primarily satisfied by proposals in application; currently drafting response to Camden:
Car Wash site needs to be built before rest of scheme – needs proper entrance; links to be formed to adjoining sites; more priority to pedestrians; more info on community use; more greenery introduced and less hard paving surfaces; more information on use of health care building; amount of housing fixed – says 835-850 units, rather than the original 750; shed 3 and health care building too close; full account taken of effect of dense population on surrounding services; if in private control ensure that management and cleaning are effective?; assurance that lessons from Grenfell; building constructed in phases from Kentish Town to Gospel Oak; temporary public route along Heathline – right the way through construction; how is CIL money going to be used, for new lifts at Kentish Town station and Kentish Town square; full commitment to 35% affordable housing; more detail on low/no carbon during construction and maintenance; greater control on consent massing diagrams – parameter plans enlarged in height and width; right of KTNF to monitor individual designs as reserve matters application.
Q: How can the view from Kentish Town underground be preserved; A; irreconcilable, given the amount of housing they are required to provide – provision set by Camden and GLA; cannot preserve the view as described in Neighbourhood Plan.
Q: Please explain the position on the Car Wash site? Need a clear way into the site – so insisting on Car Wash site to be built first; in the application Murphy hasn’t warranted to do it.
10 Any other business
Thanks to Ian Grant for his work as secretary.
Roger Winfield is stepping down as chair but carrying on with work on Murphy and Regis Road site for the forum.
10th Annual Meeting of Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum
Thursday 21st January 2021, 7.00 to 9.00pm
By Zoom
Minutes
1 Apologies
Tatiana von Preussen
2 Welcome and brief introduction by Chair (RW)
Thanks to the committee
3.Approval of minutes of 2020 AGM (RW)
Approved Paul Seviour and Roger Mason
4.Treasurer’s report (PS)
Income brought forward from Jan 2020 £243.10 | Donations £190 | Total £433.50
Expenses Meeting room £69.34 | Zoom sub £100.73 | Website £84.00 | Sundries £54.00 Total exes £308.67
Income available £124.83
Budgeted exes: Website £99 | Zoom sub £173 | Sundries £50 | Sub-total £322
Shortfall £197
5.Overview of year’s activities (RW)
Despite restrictions since March, we have been able to meet regularly; welcomed three new committee members; attendances at Zoom higher than in person. Work with young people hampered by lockdown. Pubs as Assets of Community Value work hampered by lockdown.
Extra meetings between quarterly committee meetings including responses to consultations; Extra meetings included – response to changes to use-classes – comments sent to local MP and secretary of state; Policy in plan in relation to the view; White Paper – Future of Planning; 3-6 Spring Place; Murphy’s Yard; Public hearing about Camden’s CIL rates; consultations on Kentish Town Development Plan Framework which was formally adopted in the Summer
6.Update on current Planning applications (PS)
Pizza Express building: construction works continued despite lockdown; hope for completion in April; expecting November, December finish. Cinema operator on hold
Carpetright building – basement excavation continuing; owned by Sports Direct. Plan for two floors retail, one floor office use and the rest residential
Industrial building on Spring Place – ex Addison Lee cabs; previous owner had permission for three storey development. New owners Segro put in an application 2020/5913/P change of use from industrial to flexible industrial and /or storage or distribution (B8). Potentially a last mile hub.
KTNF is engaged on a working group with SEGRO and will make comments to Camden Council.
7.Election of Committee for 2021 (IG)
All members want to stand again: Roger Winfield, Henry Herzberg, Paul Seviour, Joanna Chow, Robert Livock, Chris Hudson, Celia Goreham, Liz Sheriden, Elizabeth Woodeson, Judith Leeb, Niall Monaghan, Luci Noel, Tatiana von Preussen, Ian Grant
John Nicholson proposed, and Robert seconded
One position for the committee is open. First committee meeting 4 February at 7pm
9 and 10 KTNF and Murphy’s Yard (HH) | 10 The Greening of Murphy’s Yard (presentation by Murphy team) plus Q&A
Henry Herzberg who leads the KTNF Murphy’s working group introduced Dan Mahoney associate at Studio Egret West (SEW):
Extensive consultation from 2017, found beneficial, workshops, exhibitions, and meetings with development management forum; Development brief – responding to Camden and Kentish Town Planning Framework; opportunity to bring different uses – 750 homes, 35,000sq m of industrial space, 31,000sq m of office space; healthcare offering; integrated healthcare; stepping approach; The Heathline will be one third of the 62,000sq m total; 23,000sq m of pedestrian, cycle and open space; character of sheds will be retained;
Stephanos Georgiou Landscape Architect SEW – aim is to maximise ecology and biodiversity; outlined benefits of urban greening; local vegetation types and connecting to surrounding nature; link with railway corridors long and unbroken; Heathcliff doesn’t exist anywhere else in UK; based on acid grasslands, heath and open mosaic; use of London nature signatures including wild service trees; heathland gorse; replace leylandii with better tree biodiversity and urban hedgerows; use of vertical greening and green roofs; for sustainable urban drainage – using water storage and rain gardens.
Jo Drane Sustainability Consultant, Hoare Lee: adopting Camden Council’s principles of Peoples and Places and Zero Camden 2030; circular economy principles; 100% renewables by 2025; passivhaus design with Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation; Air Source network and PV array linked to electric vehicle charging. Electricity favoured over gas with grid decarbonisation; using enhanced thermal envelopes for buildings.
Roger Winfield thanked Kate McMillan (Development Manager) and Paul Broshahan (Director) for their work with the KTNF
Q&A
Which wildlife will be kept, and which do you want to attract and how?
GS: We are using Camden Biodiversity Action Plan to attract wildlife to the site. There has been no survey to assess the ecological conditions; no signs of bats; invertebrates – provided for with open mosaic and green roofs; stag beetles are a priority species for Camden; providing deadwood and semi sub-merged deadwood; invertebrates good for birds; swifts a preferred species; bat roosts and birds nest are being provided for priority species.
Will there be a plant specification policy?
GS:Planning applications will give an indicative plant list that will be used to inform detailed design
How are you planning to combat flooding?
GS: Arup is working with us; calculating run off rates to meet correct solutions; flood risk assessments are being carried out
What is your approach to embodied carbon?
JD: We are looking at RIBA and LETI principles and gathering information
JD: On Passivhaus the buildings are not sealed; we are testing comfort and energy and getting the right amount of glazing and window sizes; and shading on façades
GS:On utility facility and amenity for flat residents; south facing community and podium gardens will be spread among the residential buildings
Can groups have an input into forthcoming plans?
There are letter drops and social media; ad campaigns; website; we will send information on next round of consultations directly to groups; we welcome groups to get in touch
GS: On routes through the site is there a separation from pedestrians and cyclists?
The cycling is demarcated throughout the site. There’s a lot of TfL guidance on conflict and risk – we are using it. Lot of design methods we can use. For example, use of planting, chicanes, bollards, and crossings.
KM: What is meant by medtech and health care?
It is a growing industry. At the Knowledge Quarter in Kings Cross there’s a lot of lab space demand and data analysis. Kings Cross is a European hot spot with universities and hospitals; the existing focus is on SMEs; we are talking to Primary Care Trusts and the Royal Free.
Questions on the view need to be addressed separately later.
Henry – a long meeting amongst committee and me with Murphy team; including site meeting; wouldn’t be possible to produce content required and retain the view precisely. HH: Asked about the next process of consultation.
- Any other business
None
- Close 8.30pm
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
AGM minutes
Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum AGM January 23 2020, The Sun Room, Kentish Town Health Centre, NW5
Apologies
Written apologies received from Lindsay Purchall, Isky Gordon and Don Hibbs
Approval of minutes
Minutes were approved
Pizza Express building – Update from the developer
Proposed design for the cinema and 12 flats from Vabel
Half the AGM was devoted to a presentation by Vabel, creative director, Jeremy Spencer, and development director Thomas Piggott, who are developing the iconic Kentish Town site of the old Pizza Express building into a cinema and 12 flats.
Vabel purchased the site in December 2018, the previous developer ceasing work and the site standing empty. Received planning permission in the Autumn.
Key objective is to enhance and regenerate the existing non designated heritage building through the retention and restoration of the original façade and the creation of 12 residential apartments above a new single screen cinema at ground floor.
Cinema and bar area set to serve as community meeting place and active hub
The chamfered corner to the existing building will be enhanced and celebrated, serving as the main entrance to the new cinema, whilst the addition of two new residential floors will give this prominent site its deserved status.
Aiming for well resolved detailing and high-quality materials – previously worked on similar schemes across London.
Structural work needed to create a screening room that can hold the weight of the homes above and the designs of the flats needed to be changed to improve acoustics and soundproofing.
Difficult space for a cinema.
Vabel have completed enabling works, installation of below ground drainage and cast the ground floor concrete slab. The demolition of the first-floor mezzanine slab is completed and the first phase of the steel frame commencement.
The existing roof will be demolished in the next phase of works, prior to the new floors being constructed above the original facade.
Questions ranged from material specifications and colours, which Vabel said were somewhat determined by the Council.
And the name of the cinema operator. The Vabel team said they have strong links with a cinema operator and although they could not say who it was – it will not be a boutique operator and a company from outside London.
The draft Kentish Town Framework (HH)
Consultation on the draft is set to finish next week. Initial Consultation responses – sympathetic to plan. KTNF comments on first draft largely adopted. Summary – foster knowledge and creative areas; training on site; people object to high buildings – 10 storeys maximum (6, 8 or 10 range of buildings); Camden currently concentrating on transport infrastructure and deliverability; important to have decent links in and out of the site; Camden has CPO powers and can use them.
KTNF and Murphy’s Yard (HH)
KTNF reps invited by Murphy to go around the site. Noticeable – significant change of levels. Retention old railway buildings – 2 original sheds. Sheds to be revived – set for food and beverage activity. Not seen as a conflict with existing retail outlets.
Workshops showed a basic model from Studio Egret West with all surrounding buildings – residential blocks around the edge. 40,000sq m near Kentish Town with 750 houses around the edge. 40,000 sq. m of office space in centre. Proposed medical facility in middle along with sheds in the middle for foods and beverages. Cycle route around the side. Heights: tallest is 16 storeys down to 14 and 12, lowest is five storeys. The design has not been to design review yet. Agreed compromise between housing and industrial use. Does the definition ‘industrial’ cover crafts businesses? Is office use – small uses?
The viewing cone is protected. Murphy’s says drawing in plan is not what we are really seeing – the angles are wrong. Working with spatial specialists to pinpoint what the actual view is. Murphy proposes different angle of pivot (pinnacle of the cone). Camden planning meeting proposed.
Murphy’s want planning application in by the end of the year but probably in a year’s time.
One hundred and eight people went to July workshops: top issues of concern – height of buildings and traffic. Key wants: green space, new access routes, sustainability and housing.
750 homes planned; 40,000sq m of industrial use and 40,000sq m office use;
workspace planned for south with residential at north; heights ranging from 5 -18 storeys; aiming at 35% affordable housing; restriction on delivery vehicles; potential battle ahead with GLA on industrial use v residential – GLA London Plan favouring employment and light industrial use and local plans favouring housing; planning low energy consumption with district heating;
Constraints discussed include; 9m change of level; listed sheds; viewing corridors from Kentish Town to the Heath; ecological reserve; sewer and gas pipes and rail tunnel.
Recent November workshop covered: Placemaking Principles, The Evolving Layout and Massing Evolution, the Heathline – cycle and pedestrian route through the site, Open Spaces and Placemaking, Industrial Land Use, Community and Leisure needs.
Plans are afoot for a food market and maker spaces. Green areas include: Pergola Garden, Heathcliff, Murphy’s Meadow and Gospel Oak Gate.
Discussion on link to Kentish Town Square; involves Car Wash site; huge upfront cost to developer prior to Car Wash site going forward – but going forward to planning.
Future of the High Street and environmental issues (IG)
Application for national High Street Fund; KTNF linked with KTRA to work with Camden Council on applying for a National High Street Fund – which allocates substantial funds to upgrade High Streets. Sought approval from other Kentish Town groups and residents’ associations. Concepts include viability, inclusion, and movement. Goals to drive footfall and creating new enterprises that increase community wealth, employment, and new market demand for commercial space. Specifics include funding improved pedestrian and cycle permeability; improving identity; smart infrastructure improvements; engagement of stakeholders, enabling modal shift and improving air quality. Application submitted. Did not go to second stage.
KTNF working with other Kentish Town community groups on initiatives such as Library of Things, Pop-Up shops, noticeboards, and street fun.
KTNF continues to manage the plants and watering on Platform 1 Kentish Town Station and overseeing and liaising with the Council on any issues with the planters in KT High Street.
KTNF providing comment on planning applications in relation to energy use and air pollution.
KTNF and recent planning applications (PS)
Raglan House – sold off, planning application in for six town houses. Expectation that consent will be given.
Regis Road Estate – Planning application in for the JML Building. Change of use class from B1 Offices to B8. No objection.
Fish shop near Bull & Gate – take away to restaurant – no objection
Election of Committee 2020 (IG)
Derek Jarman is standing down. The committee thanked Derek for his service
Fabrizio Lepore moving out of the KT area and leaves the committee – but remains as advisor. The committee thanked Fabrizio.
Members of the committee standing again – Roger Winfield, Henry Herzberg, Paul Seviour, Ian Grant, Celia Goreham, Chris Hudson, Judith Leeb, Elizabeth Woodeson, Liz Sheridan, Robert Livock, Joanna Chow
Proposed – John Nicholson, seconded Kate Herzberg.
Questions and answers (All)
Carpetright demolition – some external work going on. Major demolition and construction project
Concerns about UPS route going through the High Street
Concerns about the number of new dwellings in Regis Road / Murphy. Explanation that the area has a particularly good transport connectivity rating with the capacity.
Further questions about infrastructure and the amount of people that will come into the area. Comment that there will be a post hospital care and health centre in the Murphy development
Question about what can be done about the things left on the pavement in front of charity shops. KTNF to write to councillors.
Any other business
None
1st Committee meeting of 2020 – 6 February
8th Annual Meeting of Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum
Thursday 24th January 2019, 7.15 to 8.45pm
Kentish Town Library, 262-266 Kentish Town Road NW5 2AA
Minutes:
1 Apologies for absence
Paul Braithwaite, Celia Goreham, Jenny Headlam Wells (councillor), Lorraine Revah (councillor), Isky Gordon
2 Welcome and brief introduction by Chair (Roger Winfield)
3 Approval of minutes of 2018 AGM
Minutes were approved
4 Treasurer’s report (Paul Seviour)
Income brought forward from 26 January 2018 £831.49 (+ £1.21 interest)
Expenses – meeting room hire £307.60; Website £174; Sundries £30; Total £511.60
Total income available to January 2020 £321.10
Budgeted future running costs to January 2020 – Website £87; AGM £307; Sundries £100 – Total £494.00
5 Election of committee (Ian Grant)
Virginia Beardshaw and David Jockelson stood down from the committee and were thanked, in particular, David Jockelson for his length of service.
Celia Goreham, Chris Hudson, Derek Jarman, Fabrizio Lepore, Henry Herzberg (deputy chair), Ian Grant (secretary), Joanna Chow, Liz Sheridan, Paul Seviour (treasurer), Roger Winfield (chair), Robert Livock – current members of the committee stood again – proposed by John Nicholson and seconded by Mary Cane and were voted in.
Judith Leeb and Liz Woodeson expressed an interest in joining the committee – proposed by John Nicholson and seconded by Mary Cane and were voted in.
6 Cinema in Kentish Town. (Update)
Roger reported that there is planning permission to construct 12 new apartments and a cinema on the site of the old Pizza Express building. Work started and stalled and then the building was sold. The developer is set to start work on the Pizza Express building in the first half of 2019. The cinema operator is still on board.
7 Overview of year’s activities (Roger Winfield)
Interview with Dan Carrier in Camden New Journal on the Kentish Town Development Area.
Work with other groups including Kentish Town Road Action members of ACVs for pubs; Transition Kentish Town on planters.
KTNF has worked on submissions to planning applications including the Car Wash site; Carpetright, the Pizza Express building, Ingestre Road planned development; it has worked with the Dartmouth Park Neighbourhood Forum on the proposed development of the Murphy site and met with representatives from Camden Council on a range of issues.
8 KTNF and the Regis Road draft Planning Framework (Henry Herzberg)
Henry reported that the plan is under development and the site has huge potential including up to 1300 homes (50% affordable) and increased employment outlets.
Policy SP2 in the KTNF Plan identified both sites as underdeveloped and cut off from surrounding area
KTNF and Dartmouth Park Neighbourhood Forum representatives have been part of a working group throughout the year with Camden planning officers drafting the planning framework for the area. The Draft Planning Framework was produced in October 2018, which describes development principles. Final draft expected in Autumn 2019.
Plan includes connecting routes for pedestrians and cyclists through the new site including Kentish Town to Hampstead Heath and permeability is a key concept. The site contains plenty of greenery and trees. Issues including placing taller buildings nearer the railway tracks. There is potential for a bridge or bridges to link areas of the site with the wider Kentish Town and surrounding areas.
On the Regis Road site, there are currently land ownership issues with a substantial number of property freeholds in different hands – and there are discussions on potentially consolidating these with Camden Council. There are ongoing talks with local MP Keir Starmer and the GLA and a possibility of special funding.
On the car Wash site – a planning application has been submitted and an exhibition was put on. This is a challenging site near railway and bus stop and KTNF has had several meetings with developer.
9 KTNF and the future of the high street and environmental issues (Ian Grant)
KTNF led the working group with three other local organisations proposing planters in Kentish Town Road. After working on a public consultation and submitting plans over 18 months, Camden Council agreed to 21 planters (15 larger and six bike planters) along with a regular maintenance contract.
KTNF is involved with Kentish Town Road Action and Transition Kentish Town in the Future of the High Street meetings. There are seven topic areas such as Vision for Kentish Town Road in 5 and 20 years; Transport and Parking; Business; Youth opportunities; Skill-sharing hub; and Street landscape.
It is also working on applying for the government’s Future High Streets Fund.
KTNF also submitted responses to Camden’s Draft Transport Strategy and the Air Quality Action Plan.
In responses to planning applications in the area KTNF comment on air quality issues arising from any proposed development along with energy efficiency and renewables opportunities.
10 KTNF and an update on current Planning applications (Paul Seviour)
Spring Place: Paul reported that Addison Lee has vacated the building and minor changes to the internal designs and one external facade were being re-submitted to satisfy TFL. Ex-Carpetright shop and William Hill Betting Shop – planning permission was granted for the basement and ground floor to be retail units, the first floor – offices and the second and third floors – residential. Ground surveys revealed that deep piling would go very near to the TFL exclusion zone – but that after examination the piling could proceed.
11 KTNF and the planning application for assisted living housing for over 55-year olds on the Ingestre estate (Liz Sheridan).
Liz reported that the KTNF has responded to the planning application for the Ingestre Road care home and assisted living quarters. Issues the KTNF picked up on were the box-like, monolithic shape of the building, and the fact the development should be more integrated into the estate.
12 The protection of Pubs as Assets of Community Value (Chris Hudson)
Chris reported that a working group had been formed between members of KTNF and KTRA and that applications for 16 public houses to go on the Asset of Community Value register have been sent to Camden Council and that Camden is coming back with discussions on the applications.
13 Questions & Answers
Q: Has the KTNF looked into the problems with the footbridge from Burghley Road to the Ingestre Estate including cycle track and lack of maintenance. One KTNF member has complained to Network Rail.
A: KTNF will consider the issue.
Q Can the KTNF do anything about the amount of rubbish in the High Street including charity shop items dumped on the pavement?
A: This issue is not in the KTNF’s remit. One KTNF member said that if the particular charities are contacted, for example Age Concern, then they could take it up.
Q: What are the limits on the height of the new building on the car wash site?
A: It needs to match the height of the Assembly House across the road.
Comment: Shame the plans for the new site weren’t more widely disseminated and available in more places.
Comment: Do we need more cafés and restaurants given the numbers 300 yards down Kentish Town Road? The developer can also apply for retail use.
Q: Can Kentish Town accommodate new commuters and residents with existing transport nodes?
A: TFL assesses the potential footfall when granting or commenting on planning permission and the area has a high PTAL. – a measure which rates locations by distance from frequent public transport services.
Comment: Manageress from the Kentish Town Community Centre offered the centre for the next KTNF AGM.
Comment: With the walkways and cycle-paths in the new Regis Road/Murphy development there will be a danger of drug dealing and easy escape routes.
A: The development will be well-lit (with low energy lighting). Anti-crime measures will be designed in. Both will be in the detailed design.
Comment: With so much housing planned for the Regis Road/Murphy sites there will be a danger of overlooking so the highways and paths need to be wide to avoid this.
Comment: In relation to retail, outlets will be limited on purpose to avoid competition with the High Street. There will be plenty of green areas.
Q: Is the KTNF represented on the National Rail Central Rail Users’ Consultative Committee?
A: The KTNF is not a member but will make enquiries.
Q: On the planters in the High Street – how are they going to be maintained?
A: We were clear in the meetings that regular maintenance had to be written into the contract. We have ad assurances from the Council and a councillor that this will be the case.
A thanks to the committee and their work throughout the year was proposed from the floor.
14 Any other business
None
15 1st Committee meeting of 2019 – 7 February
KTNF AGM Minutes 2018
Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum – Annual General Meeting
Thursday 25 January 2018 7.15-8.45pm
Kentish Town Library, 262-266 Kentish Town Road NW5 2 AA
1 Apologies for Absence:
Jon March, Jim Beggs, Paul Braithwaite, Monica Staff, Derek Jarman, George Appleby, Don Hibbs, Celia Goreham, Liz Sheridan
2 Welcome and Introduction from chair:
The chair, Roger Winfield welcomed everyone to the 7th Annual General Meeting of the Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum. He set the scene saying the work of the committee is anchored by the Neighbourhood Plan and tasks are approached by reference to the plan.
3 Chair’s report:
Core activities for the year include: receiving notice of planning applications as statutory consultee; monitoring significant planning applications; checking that planning applications don’t conflict with the NP; making representations on planning applications; meeting with developers and Council officers; monitoring planning meetings; monitoring changes to local, London and national plans. Reports on significant matters – Regis Road, the Car Wash site, Spring Place, step-free access to station, Carpetright, Pizza Express and Ingestre Road and general environmental matters will come later from committee members.
There have been co-operative initiatives with other local groups, for example putting KTRA in touch with other NFs in relation to air quality and a forthcoming conference.
Speakers at KTNF committee meetings include: Open Data Camden, Conservation Area Committees, and Govia Thameslink.
Committee members have attended a series of meetings and speaking at some conferences on Neighbourhood Planning in London.
KTNF has dealt with several approaches for information or help from post-graduate students.
Besides the significant matters outlined above, KTNF has looked at several other planning issues most notably Jewson’s Yard and Auntie Annie’s pub.
The chair concluded that KTNF is pleased to receive suggestions for other work that fits in the NP, for example, empty shops.
4 Deputy chair’s report: Regis Road Murphy’s and the Car Wash site:
Deputy chair, Henry Herzberg showed the existing plan of the sites with good transport connections to West End and City by train, underground and bus – and near enough also to cycle, but with hidden and tucked away sites, disconnected from adjoining sites, underused by low level buildings.
KTNF produced a written proposal in the NDP for a comprehensive redevelopment on both sites to achieve a large new mixed development, comprising industrial, workplace and residential use and subsequently Camden Council decided to declare the sites as potential growth areas for which they are now producing a Planning Framework.
There are ten main objectives for the site – illustrated by a set of drawings by architects AHMM.
They include: pedestrian permeability across the site linking it to all adjoining sites; a development which will provide for no less amount of industrial use than exists today; additional provision of much needed new housing, of which 50% to be affordable. This plan as shown achieves 1,300 new dwellings; a development with significant new public open spaces and a variety of well landscaped green spaces; a bridge link across the railway to connect the two sites and provide a new route for pedestrians and cyclists to reach Hampstead Heath.
Other objectives include the formation of a new Kentish Town Square, by extending the width of the existing road bridge. This allows for a new street level station for the overground railway with direct access for disabled to the platforms. This work is to be paid for from CIL money gained from the new development; the provision of small offices for starter businesses, health facilities, and other local community led uses; the massing of the buildings to be low to the South (three storeys) higher in the centre (six storeys) and higher still near the railway (twelve storeys); the entire scheme to be car free except for registered disabled drivers, essential service vehicles and emergency vehicles. No through route to be permitted; the development of the Murphy site to respect the requirements set out in the NDP for a viewing corridor looking from KT square to Hampstead Heath.
The Car Wash site is currently the subject of a potential redevelopment, which would comprise a restaurant at ground level and five storeys of housing above, making a total of 16 residential units of which some to be affordable. Camden have expressed concern that while the Framework Plan is being developed, they may wish to delay any planning consent for this site. KTNF have said that as the existing site is so important and such an eyesore any application should be considered and granted provided that: there is active street frontage at ground level – a restaurant that opens out on to the new KT square would be particularly welcome; that housing at upper levels is provided, of which an appropriate amount is affordable; that the scale, massing and design are of high quality; that the width of pavement along the edge of the site fronting the Highgate Road is of sufficient width to cope with the demands of pedestrians passing and queueing for The Forum and for the bus stop are sufficient; and that sufficient width is allowed for a future pedestrian link to be formed from the Highgate Road into the Murphy site.
Camden Council is commencing a public engagement exercise regarding the Regis Road and Murphy sites starting on 26th February and going on until 25thMarch. This will include a couple of drop-in sessions probably to be held in the Library during the first two weeks in March. Other meetings will be arranged for more focused discussions with KTNF and the Dartmouth Park Forum, and with other stakeholders and particular interested parties. KTNF has asked for a separate meeting with the GLA.
5 Secretary’s report:
KTNF secretary, Ian Grant said that KTNF used the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for the first time to build six planters on the Overground platform of Kentish Town station.
CIL is a levy on developments over a certain size, some of which goes into a community pot. KTNF led on the project and worked with Transition Kentish Town, Camden Council, Govia Thameslink and Network Rail. Around fifty people turned up for the planting/opening, and subsequently a watering rota has successfully been set up between station staff and Kentish Towners. Govia Thameslink gave us access to several community noticeboards on the station, seen by hundreds of thousands of commuters each year.
Since the installation, the idea has been adopted by a West Hampstead Overground station group, who we are advising, and some estates and schools in the area have made requests to the KTNF/TKT team which worked on the station.
KTNF also invited Govia Thameslink and Network Rail to a presentation of our plans for Kentish Town Square and step free access.
KTNF has set up a meeting with Camden planners in February to see which other projects can be taken forward with CIL money – including planters along Kentish Town Road and the Green Gateways (spaces in four roads leading into Kentish Town Road, as outlined in the plan).
In general, when commenting on planning applications or meeting developers as a statutory consultee, KTNF is looking at features which reduce air pollution such as which boiler type is specified. We linked up with KTRA for a public meeting set for March on air pollution. We also look closely at what energy efficiency measures are planned for new developments, along with the renewable energy targets.
6 Treasurer’s report:
The income brought forward from 26/1/2017 – 25/01/2018 was £1197.89
Additional revenue included a CIL grant (see above); a donation and interest – £1701.75
Total – £2899.64
Expenses included AGM meeting room hire; public liability insurance; website costs; sundries and CIL – £2068.15
Total income available from AGM January 2018 – £831.49
Budgeted future running costs to AGM January 2019 – website, AGM, stationery, contingency – £510.
7 Planning reports:
Spring Place – the applicant has finally signed the Section 106 agreement and the Decision Notice has been issued (Dec 2017). They are now moving forward to delivery. There will be some discharge of conditions and possibly minor amendments to the planning application, and the planning consultant said that they would consult with us on this.
Annie’s Pub 180 Kentish Town Road London NW5 2AE – despite opposition, Camden Council has granted consent to this application from A4 pub to: – A1 shop; or A2 financial services or D2 gym.
Proposed development of the Ingestre Road Care Home site – Strategy is a new public route through centre of the site aimed at increasing integration and legibility. More data is needed on scale and massing, although bulk is reduced by stepping. Concerned about size of new developments against existing two storey buildings and we suggest a reduction in floor space; some concerns on visual impact, although this is not a significant factor from some angles of view; more light wells for lower ground floor to reduce need for electrical and mechanical services; developer’s aspirations for social housing depends on how much affordable is in the final mix; concerns about the business model and potential reversion to normal flats; also how much the existing residents can use the new facilities.
Carpetright 152-156 Kentish Town Road – Recent application to discharge planning conditions from subsidiary of Sports Direct; Planning Ref: 2017/6126/P.
Pizza Express Building – owners of the site unable to sell at current price; their position – sell or develop it themselves in medium term; cinema operator still on board.
8 Election of committee:
The current committee stood for re-election – proposed by John Nicholson and was seconded by Kate Herzberg.
9 Q&A:
Q:How much residential housing is available for elderly and social care, with close access to the street?
A: There are opportunities for public engagement on this. Designs in relation to this are in the Kentish Town Plan and put forward in the Regis Road/Murphy’s development area.
Comment: The proposed Ingestre Development is too big for the site.
A: KTNF is dealing with that issue in its response.
Q What happened to Christmas Lights proposal?
A: Although some money was gratefully donated by businesses, the target was not reached.
Q: Why is there a plague of empty shops in Kentish Town Road?
A: Increase in online shopping; business rates. There are secondary shopping area protections in the KTNF plan. There are new retail outlets coming in, for example Gail’s Bakery.
Comment: There is not enough public space to socialise away from traffic fumes.
A: There is a London-wide consultation on air pollution. There are areas in the KTNF where this could be achieved.
10 AoB: none
11 First committee meeting of 2018: 8 February.
Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum 
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