Camden planning consultation email is changing

The Council’s email address for comments on planning applications is changing. From end January, the email to use is planning@camden.gov.uk. Emails should no longer be sent to env.devcon@camden.gov.uk, although those that are, will still be received over the next month. The idea is to have a simpler, easy to remember email address.

Tree planting in Finchley Rd

Tree Planting in Priory Rd: We’ve been asked about the rationale for trees being planted in Priory Rd recently, as there were concerns about roots etc. These trees were part of the Council tree planting programme, based on with less than the average number of street trees per road. Officers say they have checked and the new trees are appropriately sited, in terms of underground utility, obstruction of street lighting, relationship with other vegetation in front gardens, pavement width and street signage etc.

One of the main reasons for not being able to plant street trees is the presence of underground utility. In total 17 trial pits were excavated in Priory Road, but only 9 sites were successful. The borough has lost a significant number of street tree sites over the years. The current street tree population is approximately 8,500 and the target is 9,500.

The Council say that consultation is not always practical on new street trees due to cost, but they have assured us that if a resident is unhappy with a particular site, then this can be reconsidered.

Abbey Rd redevelopment planning application - comments by 14 February

This major outline application for redevelopment has now been lodged, with comments due by Feb 14th. The reference number is 2012/0096/p and details can be found on the Camden planning website. The application is to provide up to 299 residential units (including up to 133 affordable units), up to 1,300 sqm of commercial floor space, up to 1,000sqm of business floorspace, up to 2,250sqm community and health floorspace; all following demolition of Belsize car park building, Abbey Coop Community Centre and Hinstock and Emminster blocks, site-wide walkways and pedestrian railway bridge. Cllr Don Williams will represent the views of ward residents on this application, please contact him with questions and concerns. Cllrs Roger Freeman and Andrew Marshall as members of the Development Control Committee cannot express a view on the application at this stage.

Peacocks, Finchley Rd

Roger has been keeping an eye on this and writes:

It was good news for the vitality of Finchley Road shopping when Peacocks took possession of the ex-Woolworths site some months back.
In the short term at least it is also good news that - with Peacocks now in administration - the decision has been taken to keep all stores open while a buyer for the stores is sought. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Topping out ceremony for UCL Academy at Swiss Cottage

Roger Freeman and I were delighted to attend the "topping out" ceremony for the UCL Academy this afternoon, celebrating with all those involved in the construction ahead of the kitting out of the building over the coming months. The Academy will open on this site in mid September this year (the students will spend the first two weeks of term in UCL accomodation before they move in here). The Swiss Cottage Special School will however be open late in the summer term. All fantastic news and all those involved and present today, from the new Principal of the Academy and UCL academic staff to Camden education officers and local residents who live near the site all most enthusiastic. See earlier posts from some details on the practical arrangements which may affect nearby residents once the academy opens, but we'll update on this later in the spring.

Xmas holiday parking enforcement, removal/car pound hours and CCTV enforcement

Christmas and New York can be a confusing thing for parking controls. It's not always been well communicated in the past, but there are full details on the Camden site here

Below are the main details on what is being enforced on what day.

On-street parking enforcement

23 December 2011 Enforcement as normal
24 December 2011 Normal enforcement ends at 4.30pm
25 to 26 December 2011 No enforcement
27 December 2011 Bank holiday enforcement
28 to 30 December 2011 Normal enforcement
31 December 2011 Normal enforcement ends at 4.30pm
1 January 2012 No enforcement
2 January 2012 Bank holiday enforcement
3 January 2012 Normal enforcement

What does bank holiday enforcement mean?
We operate a consistent approach to bank holiday parking enforcement which is set out below. While not all parking restrictions apply, enforcement will still take place where there are safety and traffic flow implications or where the vehicle is causing an obstruction.

Bus lanes and moving traffic restrictions (such as box junctions and banned turns) are enforced as normal on bank holidays.

Which parking restrictions are in operation on bank holidays?

Certain restrictions will still apply on bank holidays and a penalty charge notice may be issued to vehicles parked in the circumstances and/or locations listed below.
•Double yellow lines
•Where a loading ban is in operation (indicated by a single/double yellow line with adjacent kerb chevrons and a nearby sign stating the hours during which loading is not permitted)
•Bus stops
•Footway parking
•Zig-zag lines
•Parking across a dropped footway
•Double parking
•Car Club bays
•Coach bays
•Diplomatic bays
•Dedicated disabled permit holder bays
•Blue and green disabled badge holder bays
•Electric vehicle charging bays
•Suspended bays
•Cycleways

Which parking restrictions are not in operation on bank holidays?

On bank holidays restrictions will not apply and a penalty charge notice will not be issued to vehicles parked in the circumstances and/or locations listed below.
•Resident or shared use (resident permit or pay and display) bays
•Single yellow lines (except where kerb chevrons indicate that a loading ban is in operation as outlined above)
•Pay and display bays
•Business permit holder bays
•Doctor’s bays
•Loading bays
•Market trader permit bays
•Motorcycle bays

Removals and car pound opening hours

23 December 2011 Enforcement as normal, opening hours 9am-10pm
24 December 2011 Enforcement to cease at Noon, opening hours 9am-6pm
25 to 27 December 2011 No enforcement, Closed
28 to 30 December 2011 Enforcement as normal, opening hours 9am-10pm
31 December 2011 Enforcement to cease at Noon, opening hours 9am-6pm
1 to 2 January 2012 No enforcement, Closed
3 January 2012 Enforcement as normal, opening hours 9am-10pm

CCTV enforcement

Moving traffic contraventions will be enforced 24/7 throughout the holiday period, with the exception of those restrictions that are not permitted under the relevant traffic management orders (TMO). This is detailed below as 'Bank Holiday Enforcement'.

CCTV enforcement operation

23 December 2011 Enforcement as normal
24 December 2011 Normal enforcement to cease at 4.30pm, followed by bank holiday enforcement
25 to 27 December 2011 Bank holiday enforcement
28 to 30 December 2011 Enforcement as normal
31 December 2011 Normal enforcement to cease at 4.30pm, followed by bank holiday enforcement
1 to 2 January 2012 Normal enforcement to cease at 4.30pm
31 January 2012 Enforcement as normal

Camden Council Christmas opening times

Full details on Christmas and New Year services and opening times here.

Some highlights below:

Recycling and rubbish Collections

From 26 December 2011 to 6 January 2012, all recycling and rubbish collections will take place a day later than usual. Normal collections from Monday 9 January 2012.

Swiss Cottage leisure centre Opening times

24 December 8am - 5pm
25 to 26 December and 1 January Closed
27 to 30 December and 2 January 8am to 6pm
31 December 8am to 5pm


Contact Camden is closed:
• from 6pm Friday 23 December 2011 to 8am Wednesday 28 December; and
•from 6pm Friday 30 December.
Opens 8am Tuesday 3 January 2012

Emergencies
•phone 020 7974 4444

Contact Camden reception

Contact Camden reception is closed from 5pm on 23 December to 9am on 3 January 2012.

Some of the services provided by Contact Camden will not be available from Wednesday 28 December to Friday 30 December as they are closed over the holiday period. Please see individual services for more information.

Payments

Our secure online payment service will operate as normal, 24 hours a day, throughout the Christmas period.

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Cashiers

Cashiers will be closed from 24 December 2011 to Monday 2 January 2012

Health

NHS Direct
•Confidential health advice and information from a nurse, open 24 hours a day, call 0845 4647

Camidoc
•For an urgent GP consultation when your surgery is closed, call 020 7388 5800

NHS walk-in-centre
1 Frith Street W1D 3HZ
Open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays open from 10am - 8pm
Closed on 25 December 2011

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Homelessness and housing advice

The housing options and advice team provides advice and information on housing options, finding accommodation, private landlord and tenant rights, harassment and illegal evictions.

For emergencies only, call 020 7974 4444.

Crisis at Christmas provides shelters in London from Friday 23 to Friday 30 December.


Housing patrol

Patrols from 6pm to 2am every day except:
24 to 26 December 4pm to 12am (midnight)
31 December to 1 January 2012 4pm to 12am (midnight)



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Housing repairs

Open 8am to 6pm except:
24 to 27 December Emergency service only
31 December to 2 January Emergency service only

For emergencies council housing repairs phone 020 7974 4444
•report non-urgent housing repairs online

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Libraries

Throughout Christmas, as well as at any time of year, you can renew your library items online or use our automated renewals line: 020 7974 4001.

Library opening times
24 December Normal opening times
25 to 27 December Closed
28 to 31 December Normal opening times
1 to 2 January 2012 Closed