Residents First

Amazing transformation at Becklow Gardens

Work to transform a derelict former health clinic in Shepherds Bush into two contemporary one bedroom flats is almost complete.

Three months ago, the Becklow Gardens clinic was nothing but a derelict shell of a building.

Since then, builders have been working tirelessly to convert the space into two flats complete with spacious kitchens and modern bathrooms.

In addition to these homes at Becklow Gardens, 23 new properties will be built across six other sites in the borough.

The construction follows a council announcement last year that it would be establishing its own housing development company in order to directly provide new affordable homes for the first time in 30 years to help local people living or working in the borough to get onto the property ladder and help create a Borough of Opportunity.

H&F has the fourth highest house prices in the UK, and the scheme aims to give local people on low to middle incomes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own their own home at a discounted market rate.

The council has been inundated with interest since marketing the two properties which will be sold at discounted market rate to people with a household income of up to £60,000.

Each property comprises a contemporary fully-fitted kitchen including a dishwasher and washing machine, central heating, double glazed windows, off-street parking and communal gardens.

Cllr Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said:

“We’re committed to creating ladders of housing opportunity in Hammersmith & Fulham and I’m delighted to see the completion of the first of our local housing company’s new homes at Becklow Gardens. When I came to see this derelict building at the start of the year, it was hard to envisage it being converted into such stylish and modern homes, yet we’ve done it.

"This borough has some of the highest house prices in Britain, which is why creating low cost home ownership opportunities for our residents on low to middle incomes is one of our top priorities. Schemes like this show that there is light at the end of the tunnel as we strive to create a low cost home ownership Borough of Opportunity.”

Through the housing development company structure the council will be able to maximise its financial return, retain the benefit of any affordable housing that is developed and maintain greater control over the design of the new housing schemes.

The housing development company will initially be funded by money the council has saved from selling off void properties that are too expensive to repair but in the longer term is intended to become self-financing. Any profit made in the early years could be used to pay for estate improvements, such as better open spaces, and improved security for residents, as well as more new homes.

H&F Home Buy will undertake the process of identifying suitable applicants from the Home Buy register. To register with Home Buy call 020 8753 6464 or email h&fHome-buy@lbhf.gov.uk.

TV spotlight on flat sale

A ground floor flat in Shepherds Bush that was sold for £36,000 above market value has been featured on a BBC television programme.

“Homes under the Hammer” followed the sale of a council property on Coningham Road that was originally valued at £185,000 but was actually sold by auctioneers Savills for £221,000.

Cllr Andrew Johnson, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have received well above the market value for this property. This is a fantastic deal for taxpayers because the proceeds of this sale will go towards improving council housing across the borough as well as helping to create new supply for rent or low cost home ownership.

“The council is returning to housebuilding for the first time in more than 30 years, through the creation of a local housing company, so that local people who have priced out of the housing market can buy affordable homes in the borough and this cash windfall will help us to realise that ambition.”

You can watch “Homes under the Hammer” at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b017j8jq/Homes_Under_the_Hammer_Series_14_Episode_145

Labour's Loser Lisa stays away from H&F too

In a week where we discovered that Hammersmith Labour MP 'Abesnt Andy' Slaughter prioritised staying on holiday rather than returning for the Parliamentary recall, a H&F Labour Councillor is also busy Tweeting about staying away from Hammersmith & Fulham. 

Indeed, this blog has previously reported Labour Askew Councillor Lisa Homan's selection to run for the Greater London Assembley in the London South West seat (Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames, Kingston upon Thames) in next year's London elections - and it seems that's where she is priotitising her time.  Street stalls in Twickenham and BBQs in Kingston are where she clearly wants to be instead of her Askew ward.

She really should be careful - as her electoral history does not make for happy reading.  Indeed losing elections is something she seems to excel at - and she has certainly tried a few times for almost every elected office going:

• She tried for Parliament in Sutton & Cheam in 2001 - and LOST.
• She tried for the European Parliament in the South East Region in 2009 - and LOST.
• She even LOST her former Council seat in 2002 - and had to resort to being given the traditionally safe Labour ward of Askew (along with other multiple electoral reject Rory Vaughan) to get her back on the council in 2006.

Furthermore, standing for GLA in South West London is unlikely to result in a turn around of fortune for Labour's Loser Lisa as Labour came in a poor third in 2008, on just 16% of the vote.

Perhaps Labour politicians in Hammersmith & Fulham should start focusing on the areas they are actually elected to represent, rather than either staying away on hols in a time of need or endlessly trying to run away to other parts of Britain.

David Cann interviewed

 

David Cann, the actor who stood as one of the conservative candidates in Askew Ward in last year's Council elections, has been interviewed by Londonist

David, played the surreal doctor in Blue Jam (see film clip.) He has also been performing as a doctor (amongst other parts) in Tiger Country at the Hampstead Theatre, which runs until tomorrow night.

David says:

My local pubs in Shepherds Bush are The Princess Victoria on Uxbridge Road (excellent food and wine) also The Eagle in Askew Road for good company and the Angelsea Arms in Wingate Road for topnotch gastro-pub fare.

Two months to Crime Summit

The annual Crime Summit is only two months away and the council and police have made huge progress in dealing with many of the concerns raised following last year’s hugely popular event.

Over 400 residents crammed into the Town Hall for the 2010 summit and a similar number are expected to descend on Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC on Saturday March 5.

Under the banner ‘your priority, our goal’ this year’s summit, the fifth to be held in the borough, will feature four themed workshops covering anti-social behaviour, environmental crime, drugs and alcohol and staying safe. The workshops provide local residents with a platform to air their views to the people who patrol the borough’s streets day in, day out.

In addition, there will be short presentations from senior police officers, including borough commander, Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Hurley.

Following last year’s event, residents from Askew ward said that there needed to be more things to do for young people.

The council and police took these comments on board and arranged a whole series of events during the summer holidays, including, football and circus skills workshops and cookery demonstrations.

Several residents raised concerns last March about drug dealing in Askew ward. Since the crime summit, plain clothes officers have increased their patrols in known drug dealing hot spots and several people have been arrested.

Anti-social behaviour committed by young people in Fulham Broadway ward was another repeated theme of last year’s crime summit. Since the event, patrols have been increased, and Police Community Support Officers have arranged football and other diversionary activities for young people at risk of offending.

Dangerous cyclists were also mentioned at the summit so the police have arranged several events to educate cyclists about the importance of riding safely.

Cllr Greg Smith said:

“Cutting crime is one of our top priorities and our annual summit ensures that residents’ opinions on how to achieve that goal are acted upon. This approach has worked well, as we have seen falling crime for six years in a row and 34,000 fewer crimes since 2002. But we are not complacent and we want to build on this success.

“If you have a problem with crime make sure you come to this year’s event and we will sort it out for you. Residents’ help is also invaluable as they are our eyes and ears on the streets and the Crime Summit is an excellent way to mobilise their support. Working together, we will continue to make Hammersmith & Fulham as crime free as possible.”

The Crime Summit is free to all borough residents. If you would like to book a place or want more information please visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/crimesummit2011 or email crime.summit@lbhf.gov.uk and provide your name and contact details. Alternatively, call 020 8753 2359.

The year’s event is sponsored by St. George and is run in association with Chelsea Football Club.

Royal Mail Parcel Office to open in Askew Road Library on 15th March

... plus library to get £87,000 facelift

Having been actively campaigning for a parcel collection office in the Askew Road Library, Askew Conservatives are delighted to announce that this has now been confirmed.

From this March, residents will no longer have to trek to the other end of Shepherds Bush to collect parcels, as the Council has agreed a deal with Royal Mail that will see a post office inquiry counter open in Askew Road Library. 

The council has also negotiated with Royal Mail for them to spend £87,000 on giving the library a facelift, including a complete refurbishment, with new flooring and counters. 

The Royal Mail counter will be located where the children’s library is currently located, with the children’s library being moved to the rear of the building. The refurbishment will involve closing the library for one weekend

in January and from 22nd February to 8th March. The library will reopen on 9th March and the inquiry counter will open for the first time on 15th March.

David Cann, John Howard and Kayser Izard
 Askew Ward Conservative Action Team

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