Westminster City Council's Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee has approved the Warwick Avenue Public Realm Scheme, a £3 million project that faced scrutiny over its cost, particularly the use of Yorkstone paving.
The committee met on Monday, April 20, 2026, to review a call-in of the Cabinet Member's decision regarding the scheme's design and implementation. Councillors had raised concerns about value for money, potential increases in anti-social behaviour, highway safety, and unresolved operational matters.
During the meeting, councillors questioned the significant increase in the scheme's cost compared to earlier estimates from 2019. Specific scrutiny was directed at the contribution of Yorkstone paving to the overall material expenses, with members seeking justification for its cost and compatibility with existing materials, as well as its longevity benefits.
Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, presented the scheme, highlighting its purpose, consultation efforts, and considerations for parking, anti-social behaviour, and safety. He was supported by senior officers Richie Gibson, Director of Culture and Place Shaping, and Veronica Pinto, Head of Place Shaping.
To address concerns about anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping, the scheme was reviewed by the Metropolitan Police's Designing Out Crime Unit. This unit raised no substantial concerns regarding the proposed layout, sightlines, lighting, or seating plans. The police specifically recommended the inclusion of armrests on benches to deter rough sleeping, a feature that will be incorporated. The council will continue to utilise existing CCTV and work across teams to deter anti-social behaviour, though no other specific measures beyond these are detailed.
Members also raised concerns about the scheme's ability to address existing issues such as fly-tipping and the inability to add vegetation to a Transport for London (TfL) stack. Questions were posed regarding the breakdown of the £3 million expenditure and the extent to which inflation and material cost increases since 2019 had contributed to the rise in project costs.
Further discussions included the impact of new seating on potential rough sleeping, the sufficiency of CCTV to deter anti-social behaviour, and the effectiveness of consultation timing and numbers. Concerns were also voiced about the relocation of motorcycle parking and potential difficulties for refuse vehicles accessing new bin locations.
Despite these questions, the committee ultimately voted to take no further action, allowing the Cabinet Member's decision to be implemented. The decision means the scheme will proceed as planned, incorporating elements such as increased pedestrian space, improved refuse and recycling facilities, new trees, and sustainable drainage systems.
Councillors Lorraine Dean and Melvyn Caplan declared interests as ward members for Little Venice, the area where the scheme is located. Councillor Ralu Oteh-Osoka declared an interest as a member of the Parochial Church Council of St Saviours Church in Warwick Avenue, which is adjacent to the proposed scheme area.
For more details, refer to the Public reports pack and the Printed minutes.
