Paddington Waterways & Maida Vale Society. A Local Movement for the Conservation of a Unique Area

 

Brief Background...

 

The Society was founded as the Paddington Waterways Society in 1950 by Lord Norwich (who remains our Patron), to oppose proposals to fill in Paddington Basin as a site for the enlargement of St Mary's Hospital.  It was soon given recognition by Westminster City Council as the Amenity Society for the Canal in Westminster and for 500 yards on either side. 

 

In the 1960's, Colonel Peter Flower succeeded Lord Norwich as Chairman and continued to be active in opposing plans for commercialisation of the canal area.  The struggle became acute in the mid 1970's following the Church Commissioners' proposal to 'improve' what was then their Maida Vale Estate, including the total reconstruction of Warrington Crescent with mass Car Parking, and the introduction of large office blocks.  

 

At the time, although Maida Avenue and Blomfield Road were considered moderately desirable as they overlooked the canal, Warwick Avenue, Sutherland Avenue and other streets were in a poor state of repair and many of the buildings were cheap lodging houses or poorly converted flats.

 

Following the defeat of the Church Commissioners' plans to commercialise the neighbourhood, the Society played a prominent part in their decision to sell off the freeholds to the existing occupants.  In due course, this led to a greatly improved maintenance and repair of all the buildings.

 

In the early 1980's, the City Council recognised the Society's activities in the whole area by choosing it as the Authorised Amenity Society for Westminster North of the Canal and West of Edgware Road, excluding Queen's Park.

 

The Society continues to defend the area from pressures by commercial interest and was instrumental in ensuring that a large proportion of the area is now a Conservation Area.  This has led to a marked improvement in housing standards, particularly in Sutherland Avenue and neighbouring streets.  At the same time, the Society has been active in promoting measures for traffic calming.

 

For many years, the threatened development of Paddington Goods Yard has been a source of concern and several of the more outrageous proposals have been defeated.  The maintenance of the canal and the Pool of Little Venice in beauty and tranquillity is of continuing concern to the Society.

 

However, the Society's influence depends very much on our ability to convince the City Council that our views are truly representative of all residents in the area, and to this end, it is important that as many as possible of those who wish to preserve the character of a unique part of London should join and lend their voices in support.

 

 

JOIN US NOW!

 

 

Over recent years, the Society has attempted to formalise a mission statement and we would appreciate YOUR reaction..

 

Our Objective is to:

 

Foster and encourage the maintenance and improvement of the integrated townscape and environment of our area

 

Our Tasks will be to:

 

Nurture a sense of community and involvement amongst residents

Communicate and co-ordinate community reaction to planning matters

Encourage all measurers, which create a green, friendly environment

Create a dynamic balance between the varied interests and priorities of groups within the community

 

Our Community Aims will be to:

 

Encourage formulation of opinion by meetings, open fora and newsletters

Provide opportunities for interaction with a variety of social events

Publicise the rich legacy of many historical forces forming our area

Support the interests of the local traders and workers serving community needs

Maintain a balanced residential area supported by community services and facilities

Establish links with the community and to other amenity companies

 

Our Objectives relating to Planning issues will be to:

 

Support the aims, guidelines and principles of the Conservations areas

Oppose infilling of front basement courtyards

Maintain traditional rooflines and front elevations

Discourage off-street parking facilities where there is minimal planning gain

Oppose schemes that will result in a loss of amenity to residents and neighbours

Oppose large advertising hoardings

Oppose satellite dishes on front elevations

Support the Council's planning enforcement notices

 

Our Objectives relating to Green issues will be to:

 

Support recycling initiatives

Support plans to green the area

Protect all open, green spaces

Promote the development of canal side walk-ways

Support the designation and utilisation of cycle routes.

  

Our programme includes community meetings, lectures, walks and social events - new members are always welcome.

 

For further information, please telephone 020 7286 3959 or email

pw&mvs@lloyd-davies.demon.co.uk