A World Class West End
Camden’s West End Commission submission
December 11th 2012
Providing democratic and
strategic leadership fit for
changing times
Developing new solutions with
partners to reduce inequality
Creating conditions for and
harnessing the benefits of
economic growth
Investing in our communities to
ensure sustainable
neighbourhoods
Delivering value for money
services by getting it‘right first
time’
The West End in Camden
Tottenham Ct Rd
British Museum
Centre Point
Covent Garden
Key facts
Camden’s part of the West End has:
•
A growing population (7,500)
•
70,000 jobs (21% of Camden’s total)
•
20% of our restaurants and bars
•
Superb cultural and creative offer
•
Lots of history, conservation areas and listed buildings
•
Good mixture of homes for all
•
Grown while seeing traffic fall by a quarter
BUT:
•
Pockets of high unemployment
•
Below par public realm
Our vision
The West End is vibrant and important;
home to strong communities and vital
businesses, jobs and tourist attractions
Keeping it special is crucial to the
success of London and to Camden
Through our strategic approach to
management of place, we will work with
partners to make sure:
•
•
•
it remains a vibrant and diverse
place to live
it remains a great place to do and
grow businesses
our transport and public realm is
world class
Working together
• Working with residents, businesses and
community representatives drives our approach to
‘managing place’.
• Key strategies include:
– St Giles to Holborn Place Plan
– Fitzrovia Area Action Plan
These set out our approach to balancing resident
needs with commercial interests
Keeping the varied residential mix is fundamental to
the area future, socially and economically
A great and diverse place to live
• We must protect diversity & not force
out people on lower incomes
• Our Community Investment Programme
will deliver more social and council
housing
• Promote & celebrate the diversity of
neighbourhoods (e.g. Fitzrovia,
Bloomsbury, Seven Dials)
• Give communities a say in their future
through Neighbourhood Planning
• Make the West End safe for everyone
• Improve open spaces wherever we can
Impact of Welfare Reform 1
• 147 households claiming Local Housing Allowance in the two wards
• Decrease of 20 (12%) since April 2011 when reforms were introduced
• 14% increase in three westernmost wards (Kilburn, W Hampstead,
Fortune Green) over same period
• Trend likely to continue resulting in fewer low income families in the
private rented sector
Figure in brackets is
change since April 2011
Impact of Welfare Reform 2
•
•
•
•
•
162 households affected by
bedroom tax in the two wards (8%
of total)
Of which 27 have a total of 43
children
40 households affected by Total
Benefit Cap in the two wards (5% of
total)
Of which 24 have a total of 87
children
Large average losses to benefits
mean households are likely to have to
move
A great place to do business
•
We will encourage development that adds to
the vibrancy of the area, including specialist
retail and creative industries
•
Work with BIDs to give local businesses a
stake in their communities
•
Secure the full benefit from Crossrail for local
residents and businesses
•
Support local people to develop the right skills
to compete for local jobs (including
apprenticeships)
•
Work with the Commission to explore all other
options
•
Invest in public realm improvements to support
business growth
A world class public realm
• Our “West End Project” will build upon
Crossrail and deliver massive
improvements around St Giles and
Tottenham Court Road
• It will enhance cycling & walking, and
make the area a place to enjoy and
spend time in
• Reduce the red wall of buses and
overall congestion
• It will reconnect areas and
neighbourhoods, reducing community
severance
• We are working with partners to secure
funding to deliver the vision
Key challenges
• The mixed and balanced nature of our communities
is under threat as a result of welfare reforms
• Retaining access to a resilient local workforce
• Ensuring planning decisions deliver the mix of
housing types/tenures we need in the West End
• Balancing a vibrant night time economy with
protecting residents’ quality of life
• Retaining a competitive business environment
Options to consider
These could include:
• Councils, our communities and businesses working together to
develop a joint vision for the area
• Underneath this vision to develop a joint Place Plan or Action Plan
for the whole of the West End
– This could focus on joined up delivery, for example providing
jobs and homes, rather than extra governance
– Make key investment/strategy decisions
– Involve the Mayoral family (GLA/TFL)
– Task officers and business and the Mayoral Family to get on and
deliver the identified outcomes