Lilestone Brief.pdf - Westminster City Council

Appendix 1 –Background to the Futures Plan for ChurchStreet, Paddington Green & Lisson GroveLiving CityThe Living City programme 2011/12 continues the council’s vision of building a city whichoffers outstanding quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors. In particular itreiterates commitment to take forward Westminster’s housing renewal programme,improving housing and the sustainability of properties, reducing overcrowding, tacklingworklessness and the fear of crime. The programme also mentions the consultation on theregeneration of Church Street and Paddington Green.Westminster’s Housing Renewal StrategyIn March 2010 the council launched Westminster’s first citywide housing renewal strategy.The strategy is a long term commitment to improve the lives of the people of Westminsterby delivering a range of quality affordable housing and vibrant, mixed communities whichprovide good places to live and opportunities for work.The neighbourhoods most in need of renewal typically face a number of challenges includinghigh concentrations of social housing; disproportionate levels of overcrowded livingconditions; health problems and lower life expectancy rates; poor levels of numeracy andliteracy which contribute to low levels of employment and economic activity, and higherthan average levels of unemployment.The strategy recognises that Church Street Ward suffers from the highest levels ofunemployment in Westminster (8.8% ‐ Westminster average 3.1%), and some of the highestlevels of residential overcrowding (around 12% of households).The strategy bases its solutions around five priorities:To increase the supply and quality of affordable homes to meet a variety oflocal needs, including housing for familiesTo improve the quality of the local environment with outstanding green andopen spaces and housing that promotes low energy consumption andenvironmental sustainabilityTo promote a high quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds insafe, cohesive and healthy neighbourhoods, supported by a range of highquality housing and excellent community facilitiesTo enable people to maximise economic opportunity in Westminster withsupport for training, employment and enterprise, and housing tenures whichhelp those in work to remain in the CityTo create a more distinct sense of neighbourhood, ending the physical dividebetween Westminster’s estates and surrounding local streets.The strategy highlights Church Street/Edgware Road (Church Street and Little Venice) as apriority area, and explains how urban designers were commissioned to develop a masterplanfor how the area could develop in the future. That masterplan is now complete and hasbeen endorsed by the council’s Cabinet , and is known as the Futures Plan for Church Street,Paddington Green and Lisson Grove.42