Westminster City Council is addressing safety concerns and improving public spaces in the Paddington Green area through the Paddington Place Plan (PPP). The Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday to discuss balancing stakeholder objectives and scrutinise the consultation of the PPP, which aims to enhance public spaces and address safety issues in the area.
The council has allocated a budget of £2,810,000 for the PPP Capital Programme, approved in February 2023, to deliver several projects, including improvements to St Mary's Churchyard and Paddington Green. Within this, £728,000 was approved in the April 2024 'Little Venice Canalside and Paddington Green' Cabinet Member Report, covering consultant input to develop RIBA Stages 2-6, surveys, technical assistance from the Highways Term Contract, and internal costs. A further £5m has been earmarked from the Place Shaping Delivery budget for design, delivery, and internal costs, subject to specific governance for spend approval.
The council's proposals seek to improve natural surveillance, visibility and pedestrian comfort in Paddington Green, where three gang-related murders occurred between 2019 and 2023. The PPP is an evolving plan for the Paddington area led by the council's Place Shaping team, aiming to deliver on the Paddington Opportunity Area and North-West Economic Development Area (NWEDA) policies as set out in the City Plan 2019-2040. A key aspect of the PPP is a public realm strategy focused on improving, managing, and enhancing public spaces. The council also aims to address anti-social behaviour by enhancing lighting and removing blind corners.
The committee's input is considered beneficial on how to best balance stakeholder views to build consensus in the development of the design for the St Mary's Playground project and Paddington Green. Main points for consideration include:
- How engagement inputs are considered in design development.
- How different user needs and views can be balanced for the benefit of the scheme.
- How best to manage sensitivities when developing designs.
The Paddington Public Realm Strategy identifies specific project areas to be prioritised. From 2023/2024, concept designs have been progressed for Warwick Avenue, Harrow Road Gyratory & Bishop's Bridge Road, and Paddington Green & Little Venice Canalside.
Paddington Green and Churchyard Walk are key connections East – West between Church Street and Little Venice Canalside. The HR PS Paddington Green Final proposal seeks to improve and establish a safe, vibrant and well-used local park and public space to better serve the local community, including St Mary's Churchyard, Churchyard Walk, St Mary's Square, Paddington Green itself as well as the Paddington Green Underpass that connects the area to Merchant Square.
These objectives were developed with consideration of wider policy (Westminster City Plan 2019-2040), Fairer Westminster Strategy, Paddington Public Realm Strategy and technical inputs from the designers and the Place Shaping team. These objectives considered inputs from the early engagement with the public and key stakeholders in the area, including Ward Members, the City of Westminster College and the Church of England. Internal teams were also involved and consulted, including Parks, Highways Public Realm and Parking.
Various challenges have been identified in the Paddington Green and St Mary's Churchyard area which require close consideration through design development:
- There are notable safety issues in the Paddington Green area. Sadly, between 2019 and 2023, three gang-related murders have occurred at this location during the daytime along with several cases of anti-social behaviour. In response, the Council proposals seek to improve natural surveillance, visibility and pedestrian comfort.
- According to local feedback, the churchyard is currently dominated by students and can feel intimidating. As such, a key objective of the project includes making the churchyard more welcoming and visually appealing to local residents through additional uses i.e. outdoor gym equipment and an increase in the family play offer. At the same time, the need to protect residents living at St Mary Mansions (west side) from excessive noise is recognised.
- All the locations sit within the Paddington Green Conservation Area, therefore any intervention proposed must be considerate to cultural and heritage aspects. Furthermore, St Mary's Churchyard is consecrated ground, so a specific approval through the Church of England Diocese is required.
The design plans also recognise the need to protect residents living at St Mary Mansions from excessive noise.
Engagement with key stakeholders and the wider public was conducted in two stages: early engagement (September and October 2024) and follow-up engagement on design proposals (April and May 2025). Key stakeholders (TfL, Canal and River Trust, London Diocese - Church of England and City of Westminster College) and Little Venice Ward Members were involved throughout the Paddington Green and Little Venice Canalside project. A public engagement summary report will be published in July 2025 containing additional information on the feedback received.
Following engagement in May 2025, the feedback received is being assessed and the outcome will be incorporated into the design from RIBA 3 onwards. The urban design consultant, East, will support the development of the design for PPP projects from July 2025 focusing on delivery priorities including St Mary's Playground. This design is planned to be completed by October 2025 and will enable a specialist in playground design and build contractor to be procured. The programme for delivery of the playground is subject to procurement and a discussion with the appointed contractor regarding milestones, and the duration and outcome of the DAC decision.
The design for all PPP schemes will closely consider proposals including materials and surfacing, planting, lighting and furniture to ensure that maintenance requirements are minimised and the schemes, including St Mary's Playground can be accommodated in standard Council management services.