- Welcome and apologies
Present: Alan Briggenshaw, Cath Prenton, Lisa Lavia (managing Director Noise Abatement Society), PCSO Josh, PCSO Molly Baskar, Sandy Crowhurst, Judi Lynn, Philip Wells. Cllr Sue Shanks.
With Cllr Pete West joining by Zoom – the meeting was recorded
Apologies: Lucy Dunleavy, Lauren Lewis, Tilly Earley, Georgia Messer, Ben , Andy Keeffe, Naomi Barnard, Catherine Clement, Elseth Broady, Corinne, Ros Lopez
- Minutes of 23/5/23 are up – approvedNoise/Traffic Issues in London Terrrace
2. Noise/Traffic Issues in area of Rosehill Terrace
Lisa Lavia gave a comprehensive informal presentation on the principles and experiences of dealing with noise issues.
If there is a straightforward contravention of planning agreements then there is the potential for an enforcement solution. But it can be difficult to establish the exact culprit, as there can be multiple causes.
A good approach is
A.to have a good survey:
Observe the situation, take measurements N.B. incidents can happen quickly. Get a picture of the sonic landscape. There are residents, businesses and services etc.
B. to get everyone round the table – businesses themselves can be at a loss to know what to do. The rubbish collection companies have a motivation to get collections done early, otherwise they are simply paying for their vehicles to be stuck in traffic. E.g. before 7 am. But businesses can be encouraged to harmonise their movements and e.g. use quieter equipment to achieve the same effect
- Poundland is a large national business. There is no excuse for them using poor equipment (there is a history of NAS interacting with them in London, with success). There is also a record of success with Transport for London.
- Cleaning in Providence Place – there are options for quieter cleaning machines
- The Old Town LAT – there was a history of good partnership working. The residents did not want businesses to be shut down, but just to find a solution.
Discussion of legal parameters – the input of the Environmental Health Team
3. Policing issues
We discussed the situation around the back of the former Abacus block – London Terrace
A resident reports:
There are now gangs arriving in cars at night , they park outside my house and play loud music and even play football in the dark. On Tuesday night there were about 25 very muscular young [ethnic] men, including students from the block shouting and dealing drugs. It was very intimidating, they sit on our front steps and on the pillars of our houses, so that it’s too frightening to go out.
All the neighbours have spoken to the management but , even the security guards, have commented that the management is very weak .
The fact that management have decided to keep the gates closed permanently has led to London Terrace becoming known as a secluded spot for dealers and anti-social behaviour .
Part of the planning discussion was to have the gates open from 8am to 8 pm to allow residents to walk through to Baker Street and to deter anti-social behaviour.
A lot of the students now have cars without silencers and rev them up at night ,also waking the neighbours. Students are strictly forbidden to have cars and yet management turns a blind eye, they apply for visitors permits to park, making the parking situation worse.
Q: is management turning a blind eye?
Q: are parking vouchers (i.e. the ones @£3.50) being re-sold – Sue Shanks to check this
Q: was the gate being opened part of the planning conditions
PCSO Molly B: it is important for issues to be reported otherwise resources are not deployed to a situation
Naomi Barnard and Andy Keeffe have been advised of the situation- we await their thoughts.
The meeting ran out of time and closed at 20:00
London Road Area Local Action Team 