May 5 Elections: Will Anything Change?
The problems themselves are clear to all – but what ties them all together, and why does it seem so inevitable and impossible for those problems to be fixed?
‘Planning Lawlessness’ as Camden Fails to Investigate Hundreds of Illegal Alterations to Historic Buildings
Round-the-clock work by planners and conservationists in Bloomsbury is at risk of becoming a farce as the BCAAC’s recent enforcement surveys indicate the majority of buildings in Bloomsbury have been illegally altered over the past ten years.
Camden Breaches its Constitution for Third Time in Three Months
Over the course of three months Camden’s planning department has breached the local authority’s constitution three times, illegally approving planning applications without the mandatory scrutiny of elected councillors.
Continue reading Camden Breaches its Constitution for Third Time in Three Months
Historic England pull their Finger out for Selkirk House
For the first time since the extinction of the dinosaurs the national public body charged with protecting our historic environment has objected to a planning application in Camden.
Continue reading Historic England pull their Finger out for Selkirk House
330 Gray’s Inn Road Tower Rubber Stamped
The enormous redevelopment scheme at 330 Gray’s Inn Road is the latest inappropriate planning application to have been rubber stamped by Camden’s Rubber Stamp Committee.
Camden’s ‘Public Engagement’ is a Total Farce
Camden’s public engagement is a total farce. What can be done to take back control?
Continue reading Camden’s ‘Public Engagement’ is a Total Farce
The Conservatives are Likely Bloomsbury’s only Hope in 2022
Love them or hate them, it is looking increasingly likely that the Conservatives will be the only party to mount a convincing challenge to the Labour ignorocracy in 2022.
Continue reading The Conservatives are Likely Bloomsbury’s only Hope in 2022
Heritage
Camden ‘Blindly Approving’ the Majority of Planning Applications, with Delays of Months and Years
Camden has been approving the majority of planning applications without even reading them fully, due to unprecedented planning demand.
Outrage as Camden Recommends Bedford Square Glass Extension for Approval
Camden refuses application for a disabled couple’s lift as causing ‘too much harm’ to a Grade II terrace. But weeks later a glass conservatory at the Grade I Bedford Square is recommended for approval.
Continue reading Outrage as Camden Recommends Bedford Square Glass Extension for Approval
Bloomsbury Skyscraper Developer Taking Council and Residents for Fools
Bloomsbury skyscraper developers reject negotiation and instead offer large opposition group a ‘chance to have a say on street level gardening’.
Continue reading Bloomsbury Skyscraper Developer Taking Council and Residents for Fools
‘The Georgians Didn’t Have Lifts’: Disabled Man could be Forced out of home Following Rejection of Planning Application
A family in King’s Cross fear they will be forced out of their historic home after planners rejected an application for a lift at the rear of their property.
Beautiful Victorian Hospital Destroyed
In an horrific act of urban vandalism, the former Royal Free Hospital on Gray’s Inn Road has been almost entirely demolished, as part of an application granted by Camden Council last year.
How to Get Stuff Done in Camden
Camden were taking years to act on environmental health, listed building breaches, and street cleanliness problems on Calthorpe Street in Bloomsbury.
So we went out and fixed it in a day.
Local Politics
Infamous ‘London Streetspace’ Quashed in High Court
“I conclude that the decision-making processes … were seriously flawed, and the decisions were not a rational response to the issues which arose as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.” – Mrs Justice Lang
Continue reading Infamous ‘London Streetspace’ Quashed in High Court
Bloomsbury Environment Awards 2020
As we come to the end of 2020, it is time to celebrate the best of the changes made to the world-famous environment of Bloomsbury.
The Politics of Ignorance
Opinion: Camden’s cabinet are acutely aware of local opposition, but employ ignorance as a powerful political tool.
Adam Harrison: Camden’s Chris Grayling?
A great deal of the woes of living in Camden can be traced directly to Adam Harrison. Is he not the local equivalent of Chris Grayling?
COVID and LTN Sagas have Exposed True Extent of Camden’s ‘Local Tyranny’
The ongoing controversies surrounding Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and road closures under cover of COVID have exposed the true extent of Camden’s ‘local tyranny’, but also its utter incompetence. Only the Camden’s arrogance can be blamed for the spectacular failure of its schemes.
Continue reading COVID and LTN Sagas have Exposed True Extent of Camden’s ‘Local Tyranny’
Long Read: Camden and Developers too Close for Comfort
Opinion: The Outernet planning decision reaffirms that Camden’s special relationship with major development companies has crossed the line.
Continue reading Long Read: Camden and Developers too Close for Comfort
Camden
‘The Door Wars’: Residents Prevail over Council in Battle over Pointless Door Replacements
Residents of a housing block in Red Lion Square have prevailed over the council in a battle over ‘mandatory’ door replacements to their homes.
£425K Funding Bid for Safer Streets in Central London
A coalition of community associations and politicians led by a Bloomsbury resident has made a £425,000 bid to install CCTV and create a ‘digital neighbourhood watch’ across Camden’s Central London area.
Continue reading £425K Funding Bid for Safer Streets in Central London
Veolia Caught Fly Tipping
Veolia’s operatives have this afternoon been implicated in a fly-tipping incident on Judd Street in King’s Cross.
Veolia Sweepers Found Shopping for TVs
With the lifting of lockdown, customers have returned to London’s commercial centres in surprising numbers, with Oxford Street looking just as packed as usual on the very first Monday of restrictions easing. Not wanting to miss out on grabbing a bargain, it seems some of Veolia’s sweepers forwent their sweeping duties to spend Monday morning… Continue reading Veolia Sweepers Found Shopping for TVs
Camden to Cut Heads of Staff
Camden Council have today announced that they will be cutting a number of heads of staff in response to significant funding pressures.
South Camden News Site in the Pipeline
In response to popular demand I have this week been working on a news site for the three South Camden Wards.
Sunday Reflections
Making a Difference: A ‘Camden Voice’?
Conservation, community, news, tech… how can all these things be made into something useful and influential? I argue that a grassroots ‘Camden Voice’ could be the way forward.
The Future of Save Bloomsbury
Where to go with Save Bloomsbury? I want to know what you think I should write about.
Camden Needs Your Help
Opinion: Camden needs the motivation and activism of Bloomsbury’s residents to perform public duties properly. But dependence upon overdevelopment is destroying the trust of Bloomsbury’s communities.
Camden’s Filth is Symptomatic of Wider Dysfunction
Filthiness in Camden stems not from budget cuts or litter louts but from a widespread culture of laziness, apathy, and a willingness to accept anything as ‘inevitable’.
Continue reading Camden’s Filth is Symptomatic of Wider Dysfunction
How can our Local Politicians Represent us if they aren’t Local?
Freedom of Information response reveals less than half of Bloomsbury’s nine councillors live anywhere near Bloomsbury.
Continue reading How can our Local Politicians Represent us if they aren’t Local?
More
UTAG in Court Case Against Camden Council
High Court judgment means Camden is likely illegally discriminating against the elderly and disabled in Bloomsbury. But Camden have ignored the ruling, and now further legal action is being pursued against them.
Selkirk House / Travelodge Development: A Battle Looms
Developers are trying to push through a huge tower in Bloomsbury visible from all throughout London. And Camden’s incredibly poor record on consultation has led developer LabTech to shun all efforts at local engagement.
Continue reading Selkirk House / Travelodge Development: A Battle Looms
Fast New Camden Planning Search
Camden’s servers have been down for days. So I made a planning search that’s 100 times faster and lets you know if you can access documents.
Belgrove Minded for Approval in Fiery Meeting
Belgrove House has now been minded for approval in a fiery meeting which saw outbursts against the ‘disgraceful’ and ‘arrogant’ design of the building. Camden will now rush to get approval from the GLA as the Secretary of State considers whether to call this in.
Continue reading Belgrove Minded for Approval in Fiery Meeting
Man Threatened to Stab Me Outside My Home. Police Release him Without Charge
Man repeatedly threatened to stab me and my partner in the head outside our homes. After police catch him, he’s released without charge.
Continue reading Man Threatened to Stab Me Outside My Home. Police Release him Without Charge
Camden Demand £8.6M for Belgrove House Fake Labs
Now that the planning application can be scrutinised, Merck’s ‘world-leading research centre’ contains no labs whatsoever. And in an incredible series of statements, Camden’s planners both commend the design of the building and demand an £8.6M payment in return for approval of the application.
Continue reading Camden Demand £8.6M for Belgrove House Fake Labs
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