Changes to local roads

After seeking our views last year, Camden Council is making some changes to roads around Mill Lane.  These are intended to make things safer for pedestrians - particularly children going to school.

Mill Lane itself is to get two new zebra crossings.  Work to install these has already begun - adding to the density of roadworks already happening in the area thanks to the Thames Water excavations.

A 20 mph speed limit is to be imposed on the roads around Beckford School - Dornfell Street, Broomsleigh Street, Glastonbury Street and Ravenshaw Street.  80 per cent of the 186 respondents to Camden's survey supported this measure.  But only 48 per cent expressed support for raising the junction - bringing the road level to that of the pavement - where Dornfell Street meets Ravenshaw Street.  So this proposal will not proceed.

An actor's life in West Hampstead

The actor David Harewood reminisces in the Sunday Times about when he lived on Ravenshaw Street:

"It was a little hideaway. Down the road was a garden with flowers that smelt beautiful growing over the wall; there was a school with kids playing and a railway ran round the back...   If ever there was a time I could rewind to, it would be then in West Hampstead. It’s where my horizons got broadened and where I grew up as an individual."

Parking in Ravenshaw, Broomsleigh, Glastonbury and Dornfell Streets

Controlled zone
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.

You may have seen in the latest edition of Spotlight - the Liberal Democrats' local newsletter - that Camden will review the operation of the controlled parking zone in the four streets around Beckford School (Ravenshaw, Broomsleigh, Glastonbury and Dornfell Streets). The council will seek the opinions of residents.  There's also to be further consultation on the parking zone in the Greek roads north of Mill Lane (Achilles Road, Agamemnon Road, etc.)

One of the questions likely to be put to residents is whether the controlled hours in these streets should be extended to all day, as is already the case on Mill Lane and elsewhere in West Hampstead.

This development follows the completion of last year's consultation on parking controls across the borough.  A report on the results of the consultation was considered by councillors in November.  Referring to the streets south of Mill Lane, the report draws attention to campaigning activity undertaken in the neighbourhood at the time of the consultation:

"The consultation results show that opinion is divided about hours of control. A ‘survey’ was undertaken by some residents in this sub-area indicating an interest in longer hours, though this was not undertaken as a formal petition with signatures. Correspondence was received from residents in this area questioning the motives behind those undertaking the survey, who had misrepresented the Council’s own consultation, claiming that the Council was going to split the zone. Given concerns that the ‘survey’ may be biased the detailed findings are not included here."

Based on this information, and a petition from residents of the Greek roads seeking longer controlled hours, councillors decided that further consultation was appropriate in the CA-P(c) area which covers the Greek roads and some of the streets south of Mill Lane. (See earlier post for a map of the zone.)  The report says this further consultation will cost council tax payers £25,000.

The council will discuss the likely shape of the consultation with local groups before sending a questionnaire to homes in the area.  Councillor Flick Rea has told Northwest 6 that it will be several months before we receive the survey:

"It will not be until early summer at earliest.  A notice will be sent round by Camden - as before to set up a Steering Committee which will decide the terms of the consultation. Then every household will receive a consultation form.  The terms are likely to be the introduction of all day restrictions in common with most of the rest of West Hampstead."

The council may also undertake parking occupancy surveys in order to inform the final decision.

Life in Victorian West Hampstead

Hampstead Cemetery
Originally uploaded by outblissed

Northwest 6 has received an email from someone tracing her family history:

My great grandfather Benjamin OVENS, a policeman, lived with his family at 19 Ravenshaw Street from 1889. Can anyone help me with ideas of where the children would have gone to school, which church the children might have been baptised, and where the very young children might have been buried in 1890 and 1895?

For such questions Kilburn and West Hampstead Past is an invaluable source.

It tells us that Beckford School was open for business by this time, although it was called Broomsleigh Street school at this stage (its name was changed in 1931). As the nearest school to Ravenshaw Street, it is the most likely possibility for the one that the Ovens children attended. It was built specifically to cater for the increasing numbers of children in the proliferation of streets being developed in West Hampstead in the late 19th century, of which Ravenshaw Street was one.

Another possibility is Emmanuel School, on Mill Lane. This was a well-established school by this time but, then as now, was too small to meet demand.

Emmanuel Church at West End Green had not opened at this time. The children may have been baptised in its predecessor, the Emmanuel mission church which stood on the corner of Aldred Road and Mill Lane. (Presumably this was the corner opposite The Pavement, the row of shops on Mill Lane which begins at this corner and which dates from 1888.) If the minister at Emmanuel wasn't to the Ovens family's taste, the children may have been baptised at St Cuthbert's church in Fordwych Road which opened in 1887.

Finally, where were the very young children buried? Almost certainly at Hampstead Cemetery, at Fortune Green. Now "full up", the cemetery had been relatively recent developed in the 1890s having been consecrated for burials in 1876. However, even by then it must have been filling up rapidly as it was extended in 1901.

If you have any further knowledge or memories which can help answer this query, then please share them here.

2007 revisited

Some unfinished business from earlier in the year.

Back in April, Northwest 6 reported on plans to build a four-storey block of flats on Ravenshaw Street.  It seems, for the time being at least, as if those particular plans won't be proceeding.  According Camden's planning website, they were withdrawn.

Proposed developments to The Alliance pub, on the corner of Ravenshaw Street and Mill Lane, did receive planning approval.  There's been no sign so far of the installation of a terrace at the back of the pub - possibly because the plans were overtaken by events when there was a fire in the upper floors of the building.

In March, we reported that Sainsbury's were sending out daily patrols to collect trolleys abandoned around West Hampstead and other areas near its store on Finchley Road.  They seem to have been as good as their word, with a noticeable improvement in the trolley blight along the railway path.

Also in March, there was concern about the work beside the railway to clear vegetation.  One resident was concerned that this might have presaged extensions to the track or building works.  Network Rail failed to respond to our enquiries but, as it turned out, the work was benign.

That's it.  See you in 2008.

Changes proposed for local roads

Camden Council is seeking your views on plans aimed at making local roads safer for pedestrians.  There would be a 20mph speed limit in the roads around Beckford School (Broomsleigh, Dornfell, Glastonbury and Ravenshaw Streets) and a raised junction at the end of Dornfell Street where it meets Ravenshaw Street.

It is also proposed to add two new zebra crossings to Mill Lane.

If you live in this area of West Hampstead, you should already have received a consultation pack.  You have until 11 January  2008 to submit your views.

Rear terrace proposed for The Alliance pub

The Alliance pub is seeking planning permission for developments to the building including the installation of a terrace at first floor level at the back of the pub. The plans - which you can see on Camden Council's website - include an awning over the terrace, which would overlook the top end of Ravenshaw Street. You have until this Thursday 17th May to submit comments.

Across the other side of Mill Lane from The Alliance, there's a proposal for seven flats on the site of one house and three garages in Gondar Gardens. You can see detailed plans. One neighbour has emailed Northwest 6 describing this as a dense and unwelcome proposal. Camden is inviting comments until 30th May.

Development proposal for Ravenshaw Street

Site for proposed four-storey block of flats
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.


A four-storey block of flats could be built in Ravenshaw Street, if plans submitted to Camden Council are approved.

Under the proposals, the existing end of terrace building at 23 Ravenshaw Street, and the surrounding car park, would be replaced by a new building which would fill in the current gap in the terrace.

Camden's planning department has published details of the proposal. The plans include this artist's impression of how the street would look.




One neighbour has already contacted Northwest 6 to express concern. He describes the scheme as a "monstrosity" and says that 12 flats are too many for the site.

What's your view? Camden Council is inviting comments from residents until Tuesday 15 May.

You can also leave comments here on Northwest 6 for neighbours to read.

Tree surgery

Tree cropped
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.

Some of the local trees have been subjected to radical surgery. This one is in Ravenshaw Street. I'm enough of a gardener to know that when pruning, you cut back to the new growth. No sign of that maxim having been applied to our trees. I assume this is not necessary for trees.

Memories of Elisabeth Hagedorn

James, a local resident, has emailed Northwest 6 - apropos, I think, of this post about the plaque on 15 Ravenshaw Street honouring Elisabeth Hagedorn who lived there.

I remember Miss Hagedorn whose mother is the subject of the plaque. Miss Hagedorn used to walk for miles every morning, her shopping trolley full of food for the birds. She would make frequent stops and put some bread and biscuits on walls and other places on her route. The birds used to recognise her and followed her wherever she went. Her house was full of birds too and she would look after sick and injured ones.

I once asked her about the plaque and she said that her mother was not famous but that she was simply a wonderful mother and that the family had the plaque made in order to pay tribute to her.

A great story, well worth sharing. Thanks, James.

If you have memories of the neighbourhood to share, do email us.

New civic amenity tip

The new local rubbish dump
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.

Tired of trekking over to Kentish Town to dump your rubbish? No need to bother. Now there's a tip right here on your doorstep. You can find it on the corner of Ravenshaw Street and Glastonbury Street. It's just the kind of facility we need to make life easier in this area.

But hurry if you want to enjoy this new attraction. Camden Council say it will be removed within 24 hours.

Planning approval for empty plot

The empty plot at 22 Ravenshaw Street is going to be developed. Planning consent has been given for a three story building containing two flats. You can view the details on the Camden website.

Tiled street signs

Things to like about West Hampstead: fifth in an occasional and totally subjective series.


Ravenshaw Street
Originally uploaded by Grievous Angel.


Seen this before? Not unless you've lived in the 'hood for at least 15 years, since this elegant sign announcing the entry to Ravenshaw Street has been hidden behind an advertising hoarding for at least that long.

I've written before that the tiled streets signs in West Hampstead are a piece of local character to be prized.

I don't know how long this one will be visible. But it's a particularly fine example - both because it's been protected from the elements for years, and because it's too high for vandals to reach easily.

Like the now extinct Routemaster, and the equally extinct George's greengrocer's on the corner of Sumatra Road, these things are part of the fabric which have helped give West Hampstead the intangible feel of a London village. What, if anything, helps to sustain that atmosphere today?

Maybe, in years to come, we'll view the coffee houses on West End Lane in the same light. Or perhaps not.

More things to like about West Hampstead:

Roni's Bagel Bakery

Plaques to ordinary folk

The cheery house

West Hampstead Tube station

Another missing cat

Another cat is missing, this time from Ravenshaw Street. Again, we're looking for a black cat. But I'm assuming this is not the same cat that Guy is looking for - since the Ravenshaw one has a burberry colour collar and her owners have only recently moved to the street.

They're worried she may be hiding in someone's garden shed.

Again, if you can help, please email Northwest 6 and we'll pass on the gen.

Late licence for The Alliance?

The Alliance pub, on the corner of Ravenshaw Street and Mill Lane, has applied for a licence to serve alcohol until 12.30 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The deadline to make representations on the application has now passed. But it is not a foregone conclusion that the Alliance will gain the late licence. Some objections have been lodged, which means Camden's licensing committee now has to consider whether to grant the application.

The Ham & High quotes Councillor Jonathan Simpson as saying:

"The Alliance has largely been a well-run pub for a number of years. However, residents from Ravenshaw Street have on a number of occasions commented about noise disturbances from the pub at closing time and at times when major sporting events have taken place."

Other local applicants for extended licences include the Supersave shop on Mill Lane. You can download the full list of applicants at Camden's webpage on licensing.

More crime

Further evidence that if you leave anything of value at the front of your house for any length of time, someone will help themselves to it.

The latest such theft is of a bicycle, which the owner had kept locked to the front of his house in Ravenshaw Street for the past year or so. Thieves, working in the dead of night on Tuesday, first tried to pick the lock. When that failed, they came back the next night and forcibly removed from the wall the bracket to which the bike was fixed.

Once again, this was not a casually opportunistic theft. Someone - presumably someone who passes the house regularly - had identified the item of value, and executed a plan to steal it.

House prices holding up

Despite the pressure on house prices in London, people are still willing to pay a decent premium to scrape into the edge of West Hampstead. A house on the railway side of Ravenshaw Street recently went for £450,000. A three-bedroom property across the road has gone for £500,000.