The Royal Borough

Environment Project

Update Report 2013/14

1.0 Introduction

The Royal Borough Environment Project (RBEP) aims to work in partnership with the local

community and the public, private and voluntary sectors, to improve and clean up neglected

sites in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The project aims to work with a range of partners and local people to:

Increase local residents’ involvement and pride in their local environment.

Support a diverse range of innovative and appropriate environmental initiatives.

Improving the appearance and use of the grot spots and local area,

Agreed future priorities for the RBEP include:

Grot Spots (Under-used, neglected and/ or derelict areas)

Community Kitchen Gardens

Bridge improvement schemes

Green Roofs

Greening of Social Housing Open Spaces

Community engagement (Street greening initiatives, art projects).

Parks / Open space improvements

Identifying suitable partners to participate in the project

Building links with other environmental and educational projects

2.0 Project Delivery The RBEP delivers in partnership a wide range of environmental and community projects in the Royal Borough, below is summary of the projects delivered in 2013/14.

2.1 Community Kitchen Gardens

The community kitchen gardens initiative started in 2009/10 and transforms under-used,

neglected or disused areas of land into allotment style gardens where local residents can

grow their own fruit and vegetables. Throughout 2010/11 and 2011/12 this project has been

expanded and has proved extremely popular with local residents.

Over the last year additional sites have been developed, creating over 600 raised plots and

being used by over 1000 local residents and community groups. Each plot is approximately

3m2, which provides a small but manageable size plot. The RBEP has worked in partnership

with private landowners, housing associations (Family Mosaic, Notting Hill Housing Group,

Catalyst, L&Q and the TMO), Groundwork London and the Council’s Housing Department, to

secure kitchen garden sites and funding.

Community kitchen gardens developed to date:

1) St Quintins Avenue 48 Plots

2) Portland Road 16 Community Group Plots

3) Hudson House 4 Plots

4) Winterbourne House 8 Plots

5) Tavistock Crescent 5 Plots

6) Tavistock Road (Sheltered Housing) 2 Plots

7) Clydesdale House 3 Plots

8) Portobello Court 6 Plots

9) Treadgold House 4 Plots

10) Talbot Grove House 4 Plots

11) Moreland House 2 Plots

12) Clement House 2 Communal Plot

13) Allom and Barlow 6 Plots

14) Blenheim Crescent 1 Communal Plot

15) Whitstable House 9 Plots

16) Portobello Spanish School 4 Plots

17) Lancaster West Estate 12 plots

18) Worlds End Estate 23 plots

19) Edenham Estate 10 plots

20) Galsworthy House 4 Plots

21) Wornington Green 15 Plots

22) Sandhills 13 Plots

23) Thomas Darby Court (Sheltered Housing) 5 Plots

24) Whitchurch (Sheltered Housing) 3 Plots

25) Barlby Road (Sheltered Housing) 4 Plots

26) Octavia House 8 Plots

27) Swinbrook estate 11 Plots

28) Wiltshire close 14 Plots

29) Ruth House 3 Plots

30) Robinson House 8 Plots

31) St. Marks park 3 Plots

32) Russell Road 40 Plots

33) St Marks Road 2 communal plots

34) Oxford Gardens 11 plots

35) Sybil Thorndike house 7 plots

36) St Charles’ Health and Wellbeing centre 14 plots

37) Manchester Drive 7 plots

38) Creek House (Russell Rd) 6 plots

39) Henry Dickens Ct 21 plots

40) Norland Road 8 plots

41) 20 Kingsbridge Road 1 communal plot

42) Holmfield house 20 plots

43) 187 Oxford Gardens 6 plots

44) Emslie Horniman Pleasance 3 plots + 1 communal plot

45) The Grove 1 communal plot

46) Balfour House 3 plots

47) Treverton Tower 10 plots

48) Kensington Olympia (to be completed May 14) 98 plots

49) Colville School 5 plots

50) Notting Barns Estate 10 plots

51) Oxford Gardens School 6 plots

52) Marlborough School 7 Plots

The new community garden at Treverton tower consisting of 10 plots for local residents

The new community kitchen garden at Balfour of Burleigh House, ready to be planted up by residents and the local

school.

Before After

Before After

The community kitchen garden at St Charles Health &

Wellbeing Centre, which is used by over 15 different

community groups, and have recently, established a garden

club to help oversee the garden

The communal herb planter at St

Charles and the new greenhouse (in the

distance).

The new planter at Wiltshire Close Estate,

which increases the number of plots, due to

increase in demand.

The new kitchen garden at Emslie Horniman

Pleasance

The developing kitchen garden at Worlds End Estate, which has resulted in other schemes being

implemented, such as the new wildflower meadow area (the orange fenced off area) and the mini

community orchard, which consists of a variety of fruit bushes and trees.

The new community kitchen

garden at Norland Road

The new community kitchen

garden at Notting Barn Estate,

implemented by the K&C TMO

but managed by the Council

Kitchen Garden scheme

New Community Kitchen Garden Sites for 2014/15

Over 10 potential new sites have been identified across the Borough as possible new

kitchen gardens. Some of these will be progressed over the coming year, subject to funding

and approvals.

Funding from Western Riverside Environmental Fund (WREF) was secured for one kitchen

garden scheme in 2013/14 and additional WREF funding applications will be made in

One of the many planter workshops organised by the community gardeners,

where local children make and decorate their own tin can planter

A workshop for plot holders held to make their own holiday wreaths.

2014/15. Section 106 may also be an additional funding opportunity for future kitchen

gardens.

On-Going Gardening Support

An essential part of the kitchen garden project is providing free gardening support, advice

and training to plot holders and interested residents. Therefore two community gardeners

are employed during the growing season (February to November) to run a programme of

garden workshops, events and provide gardening support. This allows plot holders to plan

what they wanted grow, receive free expert advice and practical gardening tips.

This support has also assisted plot holders establish garden clubs for their kitchen garden

sites. The Council is keen for each kitchen garden to have their own garden club which will

help manage and oversee their kitchen garden, allow them to fund raise and run their own

garden events and help make the kitchen garden project more sustainable and self sufficient

over the long term.

Beginning in February 2014 the two community gardeners (William Gould and Lisa

Wilkinson) started back in post. Lisa is a RBKC resident and has been actively involved in

the Kitchen Garden project over the last few years and an expert in community development.

William Gould is an experienced gardener and is very knowledgeable about fruit and

vegetable growing.

Cultivate K&C

The RBEP is working with Groundwork London on developing a food based social

enterprise, with the working title of Cultivate K&C. Groundwork secured two years of

Innovation funding to develop the project. The enterprise will be working with the community

kitchen garden project to explore a range of different food based business ideas, from

commercial food growing to producing artisan food products. The project will also provide

relevant training and monitoring to plot holders and garden clubs, helping them to manage

their own kitchen gardens. The aim of the enterprise is to help make the community kitchen

garden scheme more self managing by providing a potential income and increasing the

capacity of the plot holders and groups involved.

Brighter Kensington and Chelsea Scheme (BKSC)

BKCS kindly invited the community kitchen garden project to be included in their annual

gardening competition; a new prize category for Vegetable Plots was successfully introduced

in 2011. This category was held again in 2013 and was open to all plot holders and proved

very popular. Prizes were given out to the best community plot, best plot at St Quintin’s

Avenue and best plot overall.

There were over 40 entries from residents and community groups involved in the kitchen

garden scheme that were judged by the BKCS. The competition is to be repeated in 2014.

2.3 Golborne Bridge Improvements

The mainline railway bridge on Golborne Road was identified as in need of improvement by

local residents, Councillors and Council officers alike. The new design involved repainting

the bridge, installing new lighting, and replacing the security grille and cover plates.

The project was completed in October 2013, and was officially launched by the Mayor of

Kensington and Chelsea, Cllr Charles Williams.

Golborne Bridge before

Golborne Bridge after

Golborne Bridge with its

new lighting at night

2.4 Golborne Bridge Heritage Corner

To compliment the improvement work to Golborne Road bridge, the neglected area at the

junction of Golborne Road and Elkstone Road has been enhanced. A design was developed

to transform the streetscape into a heritage corner which celebrates the history of Golborne

and the important transport links locally, such as the Great Western Railway, the Grand

Union Canal and the Westway. The project has improved the streetscape with new surfacing

and locally produced and inspired artwork.

The RBEP worked with local designer Toby Laurent Belson and Project Centre to develop

the new streetscape and artwork for this site. Toby worked with the local community to

develop and create the artwork used in both the streetscape and wall art, this included local

schools and K&C college. An exhibition of the artwork incorporated into the heritage corner

will be held at the Trellick tower in the summer (2014). The artwork for the wall will be

created over the summer (2014) by local schools and youth groups.

BEFORE: The “unattractive “corner site which has been transformed into a new civic

space which reflects the heritage of Golborne.

2.5 Kingsdown Close Streetscape Improvements

In 2012, the RBEP in consultation with local residents, Notting Hill Methodist Church and

ward Councillors, developed a design for a new piazza outside the church at the junction of

Lancaster Road and Kingsdown Close. The area suffered from poor and uneven surfacing,

restricted sightlines, street clutter and poor lighting.

Funding from LIP was secured in 13/14 to implement this scheme which has completely

transformed this area into a smart and attractive civic space. The improvements include new

surfacing, removal of the existing unattractive planter, a new access ramp to the church, new

trees and new lighting of the church facade.

A community art project celebrating the local heritage of the area is also being produced

which will be displayed on a nearby wall.

Kingsdown Close

before

Kingsdown Close

after

2.7 Greener Streets - Planting days, Community Events and Public Art

A number of different community and environmental events were held throughout 2013/14,

these included a number of planting workshops to promote the kitchen garden scheme,

school planting sessions, bulb planting events where over 3000 bulbs were planted by local

residents and community groups, such as Scope and Age Concern.

A simple project called “forgotten corners” was developed , which involves working with local

businesses and residents to plant up run down areas and for them to be maintained by the

business or residents. The first scheme was successfully developed at the junction of

Westbourne Park Road and Portobello Road, which is maintained by local business Nu-Line.

More forgotten corners were developed in 2013/14 to add greenery to the streetscape, to

make the area more attractive, to actively involve residents and businesses in making their

neighbourhood/ street better and to deter fly-tipping. Five planters were installed at the

junction of Cremorne Road and Burnaby Road, these were planted up and are maintained

by local residents, four new planters have been installed on the shop forecourts on St

Helen’s Gardens and six new planters installed on the shop forecourts on Dalgarno

Gardens. A large planter was also installed on Kingsdale Gardens. These planters are all

maintained by local residents and businesses.

Cremorne Road before

Local residents planting

up the new planters at

Cremorne Road

The new planter on Kingsdale

Gardens 4 New Street Planters at St

Helen’s Gardens

6 New Street Planters on

Dalgarno Way

A street greening initiative was delivered in partnership with the businesses on All Saints

Road. The project involved installing containers and window boxes on most of the shop

forecourts and railings, adding greenery and colour to the road. A community planting day

was held where all the businesses came and produced their containers and window boxes

and installed them outside their properties. The containers and window boxes are

maintained by each business. The result was very effective at providing greenery, colour and

interest to the road and bringing businesses together.

The RBEP is also working with local residents and ward Councillors in Norland to improve

the planters on Holland Park Avenue Roundabout. There are two large over grown planters

which looked unattractive and collected rubbish, therefore the local residents in partnership

with the RBEP, got agreement from TfL (the landowner), that we could clear them and plant

them up as an attractive herbaceous border.

Throughout 2013/14 a number of community planting and maintenance days have taken

place, which have transformed the planters into attractive and colourful planters. The

maintenance of the planters will continue to be done by the local community.

Holland Park Avenue planters -

before

Holland Park Avenue

planters - after

Community planting day at

Holland Park Avenue Planters

The RBEP is working with the St Cuthbert’s Church, in Earl’s Court and the local community

to transform the under used side garden of the church into a new open space. A number

community gardening events have been held to clear the garden and plant up the new

planting. The new design for the garden is a “biblical garden” so as many of the plants listed

in the Bible were used.

Thank you to Rassells Garden Centre for donating some of the planting.

The RBEP also part funds the Portobello Wall Arts Project, which commissions new art work

to be exhibited on the long stretch of wall at the northern section of Portobello Road. This

year’s artwork celebrates Carnival and is by local artist Fiona Hawthorne.

2.8 City Living, Local Life (Ward Initiatives)

The RBEP works closely with a number of City Living, Local Life ward initiatives on

supporting community led environmental improvements.

In Notting Barns the RBEP has worked on the following:

A number of bulb planting events

Developing a number of kitchen gardens

Community art projects

Consultation events and streetscape improvements (Kingsdown Close)

Small scale environment improvements

In Earl’s Court the RBEP has worked on the following:

Developing proposals for kitchen gardens

Holding a “Edible Plants” workshop”

Promoting Community Gardening and community events

Developing proposals for larger greening and environmental improvements

In Holland, Norland and Cremorne Wards the RBEP has worked with City Living, Local

Life, to develop the new community kitchen gardens, promote community gardening and

implement community led environmental improvements

In Stanley Ward the RBEP is working with City Living, Local Life to identify potential

environmental improvements and helping to implement them. This includes assisting with

the development of two new kitchen gardens being developed in partnership with Chelsea &

Westminster Hospital.

In Pembridge Ward the RBEP has worked with City Living, Local Life to tackle a local grot

spot and address community safety concerns local residents had.

2.9 Ladbroke Grove Railway Bridge Improvements

Ladbroke Grove railway bridge is an important local landmark and forms a very well used and important transport link in North Kensington. The bridge is currently in a poor condition, with flaking paint, poor lighting, chipped and damaged panel areas and suffered from fly-posting and graffiti. This project will enhance the appearance of the bridge, and improve community safety through improved lighting. A feasibility study was produced which outlines in detail the proposed improvements to the bridge. This includes the repairs to be made, new lighting to be installed, the preferred colour scheme to repaint the bridge, how the bridge will be cleaned and the specification of the new security mesh. The study also includes a cost estimate for each element of work. We consulted local residents on the proposed improvements and the preferred design was chosen. Nearly 300 people participated in the consultation and feedback was positive.

Ladbroke Grove Bridge in its current condition

The preferred design (number 2)

3.0 West Cromwell Road Landscape Improvements

The RBEP is working with TfL, Environmental Health, Open University Acoustic Unit and the

local community to improve the appearance of the open space running along the busy

stretch of the A4 between Earl’s Ct Road and Warwick Road. This area suffers from a

multitude of environmental issues, such as poor air quality, high levels of noise, poor

appearance and lack of greenery.

Funding has been secured from the Mayor of London’s air quality fund to try and alleviate

these issues by installing an impressive new planting scheme along the south side of the

West Cromwell Road. The greening scheme will involve clearing away the existing poor

quality planting and planting up the embankment with dense noise reducing and air

particular trapping planting which will form a medium height green barrier dividing the

pavement from the road.

The project is anticipated to start in Late 2014.

3.1 London in Bloom and “It’s Your Neighbourhood” Awards

In 2013 the Royal Borough successfully entered London in Bloom and It’s your

neighborhood” awards. London in Bloom is a campaign and competition where London

boroughs, communities, residents, businesses work together to improve the environment of

London to make a greener, cleaner place to live, work and visit.

The Royal Borough won 11 London in Bloom awards of which 9 were gold and won 16 “It’s

your neighborhood” awards, the most of any London borough.