A major overhaul of one of central London’s most deprived neighbourhoods has been given the green light
Westminster council signed off the latest stage of its £20million North Paddington Programme on Monday night.
Over the next three years high streets in Westbourne, Harrow Road and Queen’s Park will be upgraded with more green areas and new community centres.
Funds have also been set aside for local organisations, supporting employment and tackling crime.
It includes a £4.5m grants pot for local organisations to apply for capital funding, £1.5m for community hubs at Bayswater Children’s Centre and Ernest Harris House on Elgin Avenue and £320,000 to revitalise Maida Hill market. As well as £300,000 to build community gardens.
Westminster council leader Adam Hug said: “The investment in North Paddington represents a major change in the way this council works to improve our communities – not making decisions behind closed doors, but sitting down with people to discuss problems, and more importantly come up with solutions.
“It’s a place-based approach, focused on improving the lives of North Paddington’s residents.
“Since taking office we made it clear that all parts of the City of Westminster deserve the full support of their Council to flourish.
“North Paddington has historically suffered from higher levels of worklessness, poverty and poor health than other parts of the City.
“This programme is the first step towards addressing this gap.
“The North Paddington Programme is also important because this is the model we will use to for all our regeneration schemes going forward whichever part of the City we are in – making sure the voice of local people is heard loudest.”
Parisian-style pavement pavilions and traffic reducing measures are being installed in the Bayswater high street.
Seven major new or refurbished buildings in Queensway, including department store Whiteleys being turned into flats, provided the catalyst for a revamp of the street.
