English Heritage has just conducted its first national study of the country's 9,000 or so conservation area, and it's found that one in seven is "at risk" due to loss of features such as loss of front gardens, plastic doors, loss of period detail etc.
In Camden, three conservation areas are identified as at risk - King's Cross, Denmark Street, and, sadly, Swiss Cottage. As Executive member for Planning, I will be sitting down with senior officers who I know will be concerned and indeed the Council does have plans to seek to reverse these pressures.
In Swiss Cottage, the consultation on Article Four Directions in the autumn will be critical - removing some "permitted development" rights in order to better protect the area. Beyond that, the Conservation Area statement will finally be updated next year, which will enhance its weight in planning terms.
The timing of this news happens of course to coincide with the critical Douglas and Olive Waite houses planning application going to DC Committee this Thursday.
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On a slightly more positive note, I have noticed more cyclists on the road - you don't need to pave over your front garden to make space for a bicycle.
I would be delighted if you could join us at Waterstones Islington Green tomorrow evening, 6.30-8pm, where we will be celebrating the launch of my new crime thriller, Cut Short. You can read about Cut Short, the first in a brand new series of British crime thrillers, on my publisher's website www.noexit.co.uk if you're interested. Please feel free to bring a friend or colleague (or even better, a wife!)
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