Belinda Mitchell-Innes Wins Community Award

Mitchell-Innes (second from left) receives award

Shepherd's Bush resident Belinda Mitchell-Innes (second from left) was presented with a Community Award on May 9th by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.

The award, celebrating "Local Heroes" in our Borough was presented by Councillor Bora Kwon (far left). 

LBHF Civic Honours are nominated by friends and neighbours for "selfless contributions" to the local community, and are intended to acknowledge the "unsung heroes" of our neighbourhood.

1A Macfarlane Rd Case Dismissed For "Improper Service"

The developers of 1A Macfarlane Rd have today won a further round in their legal battle to keep their housing development, first constructed in the Spring of 2020 (see before and after image on left). 

The developers' appeal against the Council's latest Enforcement Notice was upheld on a technicality - for improper service of the notice. 

1A Macfarlane Rd Appeal Hearing Tuesday 5 Dec 2023

Appeal Hearing Tues 5 Dec 2023 at 10am

Back in 2020 a new building was completed at 1A Macfarlane Rd, after the old Edwardian building was demolished. 

The new building is mainly of interest because the owner, having got planning permission to demolish the old two storey Edwardian structure and build a new four storey building, built something that was quite different from what was approved.

Eventually our Council, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, issued an enforcement notice against the building. That notice was appealed by the owners, and the Inspector must now make a decision as to how to move forward. 

Tomorrow Tuesday 5 December there is an "informal hearing" at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith to hear local views. All are welcome to attend and have their say. 

Deluxe Coffee Works - Welcome to The Bush

Deluxe Coffee Works

Coffee in Shepherd's Bush just got a little bit better (actually, a lot better) with the opening of the Deluxe Coffee Works in Macfarlane Rd.

Deluxe is located in a former light industrial building tucked in among residential houses in a small corner of The Bush - just off Shepherd's Bush Green. 

Deluxe is mainly a BtoB (Business to Business) operation, importing and roasting their own beans on the premises, but they also sell delicious fresh roasted coffee directly to the public. 

And, today, the opening day of the new "roastery", they are offering free coffee to locals.  But there is no sign on the door - you'll just have to follow the crowds. 

Macfarlane Place "Ready by March 2024"

Macfarlane Place, as proposed, from Macfarlane Rd

Macfarlane Place, the new development on Wood Lane, is now well underway, following the year-long process of demolition of the old BBC car park.

The basic structure is almost complete, and the process of fitting out the new flats will last into early 2024. 

The new development will also offer a new route to TV Centre from Wood Lane, and a new pedestrian access to Hammersmith Park, underneath the railway arches. 

The new building will surely be a handsome addition to the neighbourhood. 

BBC Car Park Demo Almost Complete

BBC Car Park Demolition - nearly there

The old BBC Car Park on Wood Lane is now almost demolished. 

Since June those residents living at the top of Macfarlane Rd have experienced considerable noise, disruption and even damage to their properties.  One local resident even had a ceiling collapse, caused by the vibrations from the demolition.

Demolition of the site is being carried out by Cantillon, overseen by developer Stanhope, whose work is at last nearing completion - only the ground and first floor remain to be ground down.  The old BBC car park is a massive reinforced concrete structure and demolition was always going to be a nasty business, but the end is in sight at last.

Wood Lane BBC Car Park Demolition - Latest

The old BBC Car Park on Wood Lane is being demolished, and a lot of locals aren't happy about it. In particular, those living at the top of Macfarlane Rd are experiencing considerable noise, disruption and damage. One local resident even had a ceiling collapse, caused by the vibrations from the demolition.

Demolition of the site is being carried out by Cantillon, overseen by developer Stanhope, who publish a regular newsletter (see left) to keep locals abreast of events. 

What should local residents do if their pictures fall off the walls and the ceilings cave in when demolition begins? The answer to the problem is not clear. The car park is a massive reinforced concrete structure and demolition was always going to be a nasty business. Should we seek to have it stopped? Or speeded up?

For now, it seems likely that all that most of us can do it grit our teeth - and hope the job gets done soon.

Motorcyle Parking Consulation in Shepherd's Bush

Area affected by LBHF proposed restrictions

Our local council, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF), are proposing new restrictions on the parking of mopeds and motorcycles in and around Shepherd's Bush Green.

The proposals are in response to complaints from local residents, especially those in the "Caxton Village" area, about mopeds working for the food delivery companies at all times of day and night.

LBHF have proposed two new "Motorcycle Parking Areas" in Macfarlane Rd and Uxbridge Rd which would be specially designed areas for motorcyles and mopeds.

EV Charging Stations Coming to the Bush

EV charging station

Across Shepherds Bush, Electric vehicle ("EV") charging stations have been springing up.  Recently our local council, LBHF, ran a consultation with residents in our streets regarding a new charging station for EVs.

"We're in favour", said locals, "but can we keep our existing residents' parking bays please?"  Luckily for us, LBHF said "yes", and put the new charging bay in a place where it didn't take up any existing residents' bays.

The Guerrilla Gardeners are Back

The Guerrilla Gardeners are back, planting flowers in the beds of street trees in Shepherd's Bush, quietly and anonymously making our neighbourhood just a little bit nicer to live in. 

Amidst the noise and grunge of Shepherd's Bush, local people are making their own small contribution to keeping our streets feeling loved and cared for.

Why not adopt a local street tree of your own, perhaps the one outside your front door? Eight-packs of bedding plants can be bought from the Brook Green Tesco for just £2 a pack, less than the price of a coffee.

Guerilla Gardening in The Bush

Flowers in Macfarlane Rd

Every now and again, amidst all the noise and grunge of Shepherd's Bush, someone does something that makes you think our neighbourhood is pretty decent after all.

In Macfarlane Rd, one of our neighbours has anonymously and quietly planted flowers in the street next to one of the municipal cherry trees.

This is a quiet act of public-spirited optimism, in part because even flowers often get stolen in Shepherd's Bush. 

Macfarlane Rd - Meet Your Neighbours on Sunday 5th July

Macfarlane Rd

Residents of Hopgood St, Wood Lane and Macfarlane Rd are cordially invited to come and "Meet Your Neighbours" on Sunday 5th July at 5pm, and celebrate 75 Years of the NHS.

The Corona virus hasn't brought us many benefits (less traffic?) but it has brought some communities closer together.

In Macfarlane Rd, the indefatigable Belinda Mitchell-Innes organised leaflets, a Facebook Group, and a WhatsApp Group to help keep an eye on the most vulnerable and make sure local people stayed safe. This weekend, she is inviting neighbours to a "Street Meet and Greet" at 5pm on Sunday 5th July.

When Planning Goes Wrong

1A Macfarlane Rd Before (left) and after (right)

1A Macfarlane Rd is a newly built property in Shepherd's Bush which is mainly of interest because the owner, having got planning permission to demolish the old two storey Edwardian structure and build a new four storey building, built something that was quite different from what was approved.

It's an interesting case because most builders follow the approved plans pretty closely. In this case, the owner made significant changes to what was approved. The question now is - what to do about it? Our Council have requested changes to the building, but the owner has now applied for retrospective permission to vary the original plans.

Fighting Corona Virus in the Bush

Macfarlane Rd

The Corona virus hasn't brought many benefits to the Bush but it has brought some communities closer together. In Macfarlane Rd, the indefatigable Belinda Mitchell-Innes has been organising leaflets, a Facebook Group, and a WhatsApp Group to help keep an eye on the most vulnerable and make sure local people stay safe.

Below is an edited version of her latest email, with some useful information on how locals are keeping their heads above water, and how you can get involved.

Fire in Macfarlane Rd

Fire at 7 Macfarlane Rd

A fire broke out early this morning in Macfarlane Rd, with the various emergency services swiftly responding to the blaze.

What caused the fire? According to the firefighters, it was builders' debris piled up outside the house, which somehow caught fire.

Clearly, builders' rubble doesn't spontaneously ignite, especially on cold damp winter mornings. Presumably someone decided to help it along.