Neighbourhood Plan: Vision and Objectives

The Hyde Park Paddington Neighbourhood Forum has begun the process of developing its first draft of the Neighbourhood Plan which will guide development in the area until 2040. The vision statement is used to guide the development of the draft Neighbourhood Plan. We are seeking your thoughts and opinions on the Neighbourhood Forum’s vision and objectives.

The Neighourhood Plan would cover the area around the new Paddington developments, Paddington station, Praed Street east of London Street, the Hyde Park Estate and the west side of Edgware Road. Find out more about the work of the Neighbourhood Forum.

The consultation on the vision and objectives for the draft plan will run from 6 January until midnight on 28 February 2025. Below you can learn about our upcoming events with opportunities to meet the Forum to tell us what you think.

The proposed visions and objectives for the plan have been drawn up by the Forum’s steering group and agreed by the General Meeting on 26 November 2024. Read the vision and objectives below and find out how you can tell us what you think.

The Mission

To provide a foundation for future development as an accessible, connected, inclusive and sustainable neighbourhood, by balancing heritage with innovation and growth, promoting environmental enhancement and ensuring the needs of the community are central.

Our Vision

A place where people want to live, work and visit for generations to come.

Objectives

• Improve accessibility and permeability for active travel, affording safe passage for pedestrians and reducing vehicle-based danger and pollution.
• Create a cleaner and greener neighbourhood, with a focus on health and wellbeing.
• Celebrate our rich culture and built heritage while ensuring it remains relevant for future generations, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
• Make our neighbourhood a safe and welcoming place for all, with a strong and positive focus on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Create vibrant local conditions that attract customers to our retail and commercial hubs and serve the needs of our community.
• Encourage development that is environmentally sustainable and resilient, while maintaining the area’s character and accommodating future growth and investment.
• Preserve and enhance our unique, biodiverse green and blue assets and valued public spaces.

Next steps

Once the consultation on our vision and objectives concludes at the end of February 2025, the Forum will carefully review and incorporate the community’s feedback. This input will guide the creation of the first draft of the Neighbourhood Plan, building on the principles outlined in the vision and objectives document to create planning policies that direct development over the period to 2040 as well as identifying key projects for investment.

• Winter 2025 – Informal Consultation on the Vision for the Hyde Park Paddington Neighbourhood Plan, including street stalls, door knocking and public consultation exhibitions to gather feedback.
• Spring and summer 2025 – Evidence gathering through engaging with stakeholders; undertaking audits; reviewing existing reports; and gathering socio-economic data.
• Autumn 2025 – Drafting the Neighbourhood Plan based on the vision statements and subsequent feedback.
• Winter 2025 – 2026 – Regulation 14 public consultations (min. 6 weeks) – through surveys, street stalls, exhibitions, flyer drops.
• Spring 2026 – Submission of Plan to Westminster Council.
• Autumn 2026 – Statutory consultation by Westminster Council – Regulation 16
• Winter 2026 – 2027 – Independent examination – If the examiner considers that the plan meets certain ‘basic conditions’, it can proceed to a referendum of residents and businesses.
• Spring 2027 – Referendum – If it passes the referendum, then the plan can be ‘made’ and used as part of the development plan to determine planning applications in Hyde Park Paddington.