A new Flood Risks webpage has been added to the CRASH website that provides information and guidance on flood risks. It includes a report commissioned by the South Hampstead Flood Action Group (SHFAG) from an independent flood protection specialist to make general recommendations as to how local property owners might protect themselves from future floods. It also provides directions to a Thames Water questionnaire for residents directly affected by the local flooding in July 2021.

Dear Members and Friends,
We are glad to say that the Consolidated Planning Objection has now been approved by all the members of the Confederation of Local Community Groups and was therefore submitted to Camden on 25 July 2022.

In due course, it will be visible on the Camden Planning Website  (http://camdocs.camden.gov.uk/HPRMWebDrawer/PlanRec?q=recContainer:%222022/0528/P%22) 
or at this url  (http://www.southhampstead.info/uploads/1/3/7/5/137534388/o2_centre_-_representations_on_behalf_of_the_confederation_of_local_community_groups_final.pdf) on the CRASH website. 

In the opinion of the CRASH Committee, we now have three tasks ahead of us:
(1)    Most importantly, please can you now email Camden to support this consolidated objection - even if you have already sent them previous comments - in order for Camden to understand the strength of our objections overall.

Recognising how busy people are, we also offer a brief email template below to make this as easy as possible - obviously please feel free to write whatever you prefer, or to add to the draft below if you wish. Please send to David.Fowler@camden.gov.uk  and planning@camden.gov.uk

"Dear Mr Fowler,

ref: 2022/0528/P

Having now received and reviewed a copy of the Planning Representations from the Confederation of Local Community Groups, please accept my own objections to this planning application which are fully represented by the Confederation's detailed objections which have already been filed.

Regards

"

(2)    Please share this email / news item with everyone you can think of and ask them to email Camden also: for example neighbours, family, friends, work colleagues, (wherever they live) and everyone else you can think of, and asking them to help the cascade by doing the same and sharing it onwards.

Obviously, we are hoping that you will now share this with many people who may not already be familiar with the proposals, and we would not ask them to read the 7000+ pages of the proposal, nor even the 30 pages of the Objection - unless they wish to! However, if we simply draw their attention to the 2 photographs of the proposal which are shown on pages 19 & 20 of the objection (showing the absurdly damaging design from a social perspective, the excessive heights and density, and the way the buildings have been packed together at the expense of any reasonable provision of green space), and point out that the site is also surrounded by 4 Conservation Areas, and that the photo on page 21 shows the current skyline and how intrusive and damaging the new proposals will be, I imagine most people will understand the severity of the situation and how valuable their help will be, not only in protecting this neighbourhood, but also in helping to prevent another precedent for overdevelopment that other developers will be able to use throughout London and the rest of the country.

(3)     Now that we have agreed and finalised the objections to Camden, the Confederation will immediately be turning to plan out what further actions and strategies we can implement next.

With very many thanks for all your help in this,
Eric Bergsagel, CRASH Chair.

Dear Camden New Journal,
Thames Water is planning to send surveyors to assess all the properties in South Hampstead that were flooded last July.
The surveyors will assess whether the properties would benefit from having a device fitted that will prevent future flooding from the sewers (e.g. a non-return valve or a Flip device).
If your readers want to get their property assessed they should fill in one of Thames Water’s flooding questionnaires:

• Online: tinyurl.com/f6k8br7c
• Or by printing a copy to fill in by hand by by googling: "Thames Water Flooding Questionnaire".

Vulnerable people will be first in line for these surveys and for getting a device fitted. These include people over 80 living alone, and people with disabilities.
If you need help filling in the Thames Water questionnaire, or you want to request an early survey because you are vulnerable, contact their customer services department on 0800 316 9800.
If you need any more information or help you can contact us on: floodactionsouthhampstead@gmail.com
Yours sincerely
​Joan Munro
South Hampstead Flood Action Group

At yesterday's Camden Council elections, the three Labour candidates (listed below) were elected to serve for the new South Hampstead ward.
- Nina de Ayala Parker
- Izzy Lenga 
- Will Prince ​