Present:

Mrs. Judy de Haas   (Chairman), Nigel Hills  (Treasurer), Mrs. Katy Michael  (Secretary)
Lucy Paterson, Sean Paterson, David de Haas, Ann Guest, Ivor Guest, Chris Pike, Patricia Carmody, Paula Taheri, Nevil Barker, Paul Steggall Shameem Steggall, Janine Mitchell, Elias Hallak, Amal Hallak

1. Apologies for absence
Natalie and Michael Cutler, A D & PM Ingman, Jaana Tarma, Patricia Ramsay, Beatrice Larsen, Bloom Chantry

2. Open forum

Conservation area issues

There was discussion on No. 78 Holland Park, which was considered to be effectively derelict and an eyesore.  The Association will write to the Council asking them to pressure the owners to repair it.   A member of the audience mentioned that two attempts to trace the owners have failed.

It was stated that No. 25 Holland Park was in an equivalent state to No. 78.

It was noted that a planning application had been made for No. 66 for internal alterations to provide three self contained apartments and 9 letting rooms.   It was considered that this latter proposal runs entirely counter to the nature of the area.  It was agreed that this, too, should be raised with the Council.

Building work

It was noted that building work is permitted between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and until 1 p.m. on Saturday mornings.  In effect, many building works start at 7 a.m. and there is frequent work on Saturday afternoons and Sunday, e.g. the Halcyon Hotel.   The Association will make representation to the Council that this be better monitored.

Containers have been permitted in parking spaces in front of the house which increase the noise and mess.

Concern was expressed as to what extent the Council is monitoring the cumulative effect of building works for which permission has been granted.  For instance, when an RSJ is put in, it may not take into account all the previous alterations and their impact on how loads go down from the top to the bottom of the building, and particularly impact on basement walls. In addition, it was noted that subsidence is becoming an issue as a result of the digging out and concreting over of gardens.

Planning Permission

It was noted that items such as solar panels and wind turbines for listed buildings will still require planning permission, although this requirement is removed for non-listed buildings.

The Halcyon Hotel development, which had been granted planning permission, and which will adversely affect the availability of residents’ parking, has not instituted the City Car Club which it originally proposed.   More importantly, it has not yet complied with a condition of the planning permission, namely to provide affordable housing in the borough.   The Residents’ Association should request an update on this and ensure that this condition is fulfilled.

Motorcycle parking bay:  a full car parking space had been summarily turned into a motorcycle bay in a part of Holland Park which was particularly beset by car parking shortage.  A representation will be made to the Council that this be moved to a less congested spot. The chevrons by the Little House were considered a suitable alternative.

Holland Park School has had to resubmit its planning application, which includes provision on half the site for new flats and economic housing.

An application had been made to introduce a Sainsbury’s store in the BMW showroom.   However, there is now a campaign to save small shops in the area.   It was noted that Tesco would not have succeeded in having such a large presence if it were submitting its application now.  

Traffic

The southern half of Holland Park suffers from some heavy traffic which at times moves at speed.   Some suggestions were tabled:  road bumps such as in Abbotsbury Road; alternatively a 20 mile an hour speed limit, although a speed camera would be needed to monitor this. A better alternative was thought to be an illuminated warning sign.   It was agreed to suggest that the Council puts a stop sign at the junction with Abbotsbury Road.
It was noted that coaches were still using Holland Park, and should not be there.

Parking

It was noted that there will be a change in parking regulations from June 2008 when residents will be charged for parking based on vehicle emissions.  The details are tabled below:

It was agreed that the current provision of Pay and Display spaces was about right, given their role to facilitate buyers’ visits to local shops.

Policing

Robberies in this area of the borough have halved in the past 5 years.   The Treasurer sits on a Borough Committee which discusses police priorities, burglaries/robberies, parking etc.

Other

Building insurance:  it was suggested that a rebuilding cost of £600 per square foot is an appropriate level for insurance. Typically, the houses are 2,000 square feet per floor, therefore five floors are 10,000 overall (making the reinstatement cost £6 million.)

Residents should be encouraged not to leave rubbish out in the street the evening before rubbish collection.

The suggestion to create a Website for the Residents’ Association was accepted, next action being to register the web name.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. The Minutes of the 2007 Annual General Meeting were accepted.
2. The 2006 Accounts were accepted
3. The proposal to change bankers from the Clydesdale Bank, who had proved very unhelpful and inefficient, was accepted.
4. The existing Committee was re-elected.   The Chairman encouraged residents to join the Committee.
5. The next Annual General Meeting was agreed for Monday, 18th May 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Ecology Centre in Holland Park.

June 3rd 2008