Ben Lynch

Council told to 'significantly improve' by housing regulator The City of London Corporation received a C3 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing, indicating 'significant improvement is needed'

Pretty damming report by the Regulator of Social Housing into the City of London. C3 grade awarded, indicating 'serious failings'. Full piece below. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

Tower of London 'at risk of serious harm if new skyscraper plan adopted' Historic England has claimed the “quantum, scale and location of development” would have serious implications for the Tower

Historic England has warned the City of London's draft City Plan could cause 'serious harm' to sites including the Tower of London if adopted as it currently exists. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

'I was evicted from my flat on Xmas Eve - I still haven't got my belongings' David McGinty claimed Co-Op Homes have moved him into an unsuitable flat in order to demolish his old block, but the landlord says it's provided extensive support during the move

Social tenant David McGinty has accused his landlord of shunting him from his Fulham home of 28 years into an unsuitable new flat, claiming he has been thrown onto the 'scrapheap'. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Billionaire halts mass eviction after London Centric investigation Exclusive: Asif Aziz's Criterion Capital hoped to replace hundreds of tenants with more lucrative temporary accommodation. That plan has been shelved – for now.

Asif Aziz's Criterion Capital halts mass eviction after London Centric uncovered what was going on. Hundreds of Londoners now receiving bizarre door-to-door visits blaming misinformation and being asked to record videos saying they don't want to be evicted. www.londoncentric.media/p/asif-aziz-...

Salman Rushdie among signatories of letter to Barbican over director's departure The Barbican Centre recently announced its Director for Arts, Devyani Saltzman, is to leave the organisation in May

Author Salman Rushdie is among the signatories of a letter to the Barbican Centre expressing “profound disappointment and alarm” over the forthcoming departure of its Director for Arts, Devyani Saltzman. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

Okay, this is quite outstanding from Bedford Council.

Investigation into several premises allegedly staying open too late Hammersmith and Fulham Council's investigation into premises along North End Road was first mentioned at an unrelated court hearing in early February

Several premises along North End Road in Fulham are being looked into over allegations they are staying open beyond their licensable hours.

The investigation was first mentioned at a recent unrelated court hearing, with Morley's one of those namechecked. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

'No accountability' after council failed to record notes from developer meetings Hammersmith and Fulham Council is unique in publishing details of its meetings with developers online, though was unable to share any minutes or notes from the last two years when asked by the LDRS

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has been accused of a lack of accountability, after failing to produce minutes or any form of overview for meetings with stakeholders including QPR and Chelsea. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Report praises council's ‘strong leadership’ though housing concerns raised The Local Government Association's Corporate Peer Challenges are intended to support councils with a series of recommendations provided

An LGA peer review into the City of London Corporation has praised the leadership and initiatives such as progress on climate action.

Serious concerns about its social housing estates will however come as no surprise to City observers. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

Council warns vital services face ‘uncertainty’ despite improved Government deal The City of London Corporation has welcomed the shift from a one-year to a three-year settlement from the Government though has warned funding issues remain

The City of London is facing a hefty cut to its Government grant following the Fair Funding Review, with the Policy Chair warning "vital local services continue to face uncertainty". www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

Hospital spending millions on ‘basic maintenance’ consulting on redevelopment Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust hopes it can submit a planning application to redevelop St Mary's Hospital by spring 2027

A public consultation has been launched seeking views on the redevelopment of St Mary's Hospital. Millions is spent annually on 'basic maintenance' at the Paddington site, which is in need of significant upgrades. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

Updated with comment from H&F spokesperson: “We are grateful that the court has upheld our decision and listened to local people in Fulham’s North End Road who didn’t want to live with the increased noise and anti-social behaviour from a McDonald’s open until 3am on weekends.”

McDonald’s loses appeal against decision to deny it later opening hours Hammersmith and Fulham Council rejected the application for the North End Road McDonald's at a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting last May

Following from this morning: McDonald's/franchisee Smash Operations lost its appeal against H&F's decision to refuse its North End Road spot later hours.

Cllr Lydia Paynter described it as “a massive victory for local residents & for local democracy”. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Parents fighting for kids’ bilingual education amid plans to end partnership Parents with children attending The Fulham Bilingual are urging the Lycée Francais Charles de Gaulle to roll back on plans to terminate the partnership with Holy Cross

Parents with children attending The Fulham Bilingual are fighting to protect their kids' education amid plans to terminate the partnership behind the initiative. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

New City of London skyscrapers could be built outside 'cluster zone' The City of London Corporation has three zones identified for tall buildings, one of which is that around the Gherkin

New City of London skyscrapers could be built outside 'cluster zones', community group warns www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

TfL warned council planned works for major road could cause bus delays The concerns arose due to Hammersmith and Fulham Council's plans to install new raised zebra crossings along Wandsworth Bridge Road

Latest on Wandsworth Bridge Road: TfL warned West London council planned works for major road could cause bus delays www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

London's busiest station set for 'disfiguring' £1.2bn redevelopment Applicant Network Rail and backers of the scheme argued the redevelopment is necessary to make the station fit for purpose

Controversial £1.2bn redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station given the green light by City planners www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

Massive development delivering homes and restaurants 'completed by summer' The Civic Campus, which is nearing completion on King Street in Hammersmith, is to begin opening later this month

Hammersmith Civic Campus update: Project to be completed by the summer, council leader confirms, with sections to begin opening this month. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

London Stock Exchange HQ to be refurbished with 3 extensions planned Work on the group's Paternoster Square base, near St Paul's Cathedral, is expected to begin in 2027 and be completed in early 2029

Proposed refurb of the London Stock Exchange Group's HQ given the green light by City of London planners. Documents state the scheme will "deliver a revitalised and fit for purpose international headquarters". www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

Spend on key bridge tops £50m since partial closure Hammersmith Bridge was shut to motor vehicles in 2019 after micro-fractures were discovered in its pedestals

More than £50 million has been spent on Hammersmith Bridge by the local council since its partial closure seven years ago, new data reveals.

The money has been spent to ensure the crossing remains stable and safe while also preparing it to be restored. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Liverpool Street station revamp recommended for approval Planning officers back Network Rail's proposals for the London station, despite objections.

And now on the Beeb www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Neighbourhood ‘cannot take the harm’ if McDonald’s extends opening hours Hammersmith and Fulham Council's decision to refuse McDonald's permission to extend the hours of its North End Road restaurant is being appealed in court

At CoL Magistrates' Court today as a McDonald's franchisee appealed Hammersmith and Fulham's refusal of a licence extension.

H&F rejected the app last year after major local opposition. Proceedings to end tomorrow with a decision expected on Feb 13. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Borough with country's third lowest council tax decides against big hike Hammersmith and Fulham Council is one of several Inner London councils to see reduced funding as a result of the Fair Funding Review but it won't go above the usual 4.99 per cent council tax rise

Hammersmith and Fulham Council is proposing another balanced budget for 2026/27, despite being one of those due to take a hit to its Government funding as a result of recent reforms. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Plan for 19-storey tower above Britain's busiest station set for approval Network Rail's £1.2 billion scheme has been met with significant opposition, with more than 2,000 objections filed

City of London planners are recommending controversial plans to redevelop Liverpool Street Station be approved at a meeting on Feb 10. www.mylondon.news/news/transpo...

Campaigners fighting approved 2,500-home scheme urge Mayor to intervene The Kensal Canalside development was given the green light by Kensington and Chelsea councillors in November

Approved West London development of 2,500 homes 'aimed at the wealthy' as Mayor urged to step in www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

'Treated with contempt': Displaced community groups offered space under A40 The Kensal Canalside proposal was approved by Kensington and Chelsea councillors last November though concerns have been ongoing about the fate of Canalside House tenants

Concerns have been raised about potential relocation of Canalside House tenants to allow for a major redevelopment to take place. RBKC reportedly speaking with them about moving to vacant units under the Westway. www.mylondon.news/news/west-lo...

Hampstead Heath’s Mixed Pond could open all year due to 'popularity' The Mixed Pond is one of three bathing ponds on the Heath, the other two being the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond and Highgate Men’s Pond

In lighter news - Hampstead Heath’s Mixed Pond could open all-year-round due to 'popularity of open water swimming' www.mylondon.news/whats-on/wha...

Cafés' new operator worked with agent before - firm insists process was fair Concerns have been raised after it was discovered that Daisy Green, which was recently awarded contracts for four cafés, has previously worked with Davis Coffer Lyons

More controversy over awarding of North London cafes to Daisy Green, as it emerges the remarketing agent has previously worked with the operator.

Agent and landowner City of London insist process was fair and does not constitute a conflict of interest. www.mylondon.news/whats-on/wha...

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Council looking to ease housing pressures by buying London properties Westminster City Council has experienced a huge rise in homeless households approaching it for support in recent years, with associated costs also rocketing

Westminster has faced a huge rise in homeless households approaching it for support in recent years.

While prioritising local properties, this planned purchase of homes in Lambeth is part of a wider commitment to addressing homelessness in the City. www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...