The vision for the regeneration of Church Street and Paddington Green over the next 20 years has been unveiled.

With the help of the Futures Team – a group of around 50 local people who work and live in the area – Westminster Council has set out its commitment to improve existing homes and build new homes, to provide new and better parks as well as increasing job and business opportunities.

Westminster also wants to ensure that all those who live and work in the area have access to good quality schools, healthcare and other services.

The council now wants as many people as possible to sign up this charter, which aims to transform the area into a great neighbourhood.

As part of the first consultation stage, Urban Initiatives - the design and planning consultancy commissioned by the council to develop the 'masterplan' for the area - has worked together with Church Street Neighbourhood Management and spoken to hundreds of local people to see how they would like the area to be improved. These ideas were then incorporated into the charter.

Cllr Philippa Roe, Westminster Council's cabinet member for housing, said: “This programme will build on the many existing qualities of the area – its distinctiveness, its diversity, its strong community spirit – to ensure the creation of a great neighbourhood.

“We have listened, and will continue to listen, to residents’ views over the coming months - this is only the beginning of a much longer process.

“We would like as many people as possible to sign up to this Charter to demonstrate a growing consensus around our vision for the neighbourhood – already members of the Futures Team have declared their support.”

Ideas outlined in the charter include improvements to existing homes and building new homes to meet local needs, as well as improvements to the underpasses beneath the WestWay with lighting and public art

Also suggested are a new indoor market with workshop spaces and plans to implement ‘The Lanes’ project - similar to the famous area of the same name in Brighton where small independent shops are set up behind the main streets. To make the most of the canal, a new pier could also be created.

Workshop and affordable office space to encourage new and small businesses to locate in the neighbourhood to generate more jobs for local people could also be set up.

The charter also suggests improving shop fronts along the Edgware Road and Lisson Grove, as well as creating safe and attractive routes for walking and cycling through the area - linking it to other destinations such as Regent’s Park and Paddington Basin.  Another proposal is to improve the quality of St Mary’s Garden and create new open spaces and play areas.

ENDS

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