Hillgate Village Residents’ Association
April Newsletter
Dear members and supporters,
The topic which created the most email traffic recently was the Council's (RBKC) decision to carry out works on Ken Church Street and Campden Hill Road at the same time - over several weeks - and during the closure of the A40 Westway. The resulting jams spread through Notting Hill Gate and Kensington High Street, causing delays and disruption to residents, businesses and the emergency services. Local roads were filled with annoyed drivers trying to find alternative routes - not always considerately.
Our councillors helpfully raised the issue to RBKC's Highways Department, who accelerated the works (which were already close to completion). However, their planning seems to have fallen short on this occasion. They assure us that lessons have been learnt.
Thank you to our councillors and the many local residents who raised the issue.
Read on for more news from our area.
With kind regards,
The HVRA committee
Closure of the Life Centre on Edge Street
Health lovers, whether Pilates, Yoga or simply those who benefit from the therapists’ treatment, will have been aware for some time of the proposed change of venue for the Life Centre in Edge Street: a change to convert this busy thriving centre into a 4 bedroom house with no garden.
This would be a disaster if allowed to happen for many people. It has been an important community asset for more than 30 years. Our council, RBKC, has received many complaints in response to the application which now necessitates it being discussed in committee.
The Kensington Society are kindly advising us on options for designating the site as an Asset of Community Value (ACV). If you would like to see this happen, please send us an email at hillgatevillage@outlook.com so that we can gauge support.
Once the committee date is known, it is hoped the many of our members, whether active participants or concerned citizens, will attend to show the council the strength of feeling about the very real potential loss of such a vital asset especially as so many health benefits would be lost.
More information about The Kensington Society can be found here:
Newcombe House/Notting Hill Place
We're beginning to see some of the final outline of Newcombe House - see plan and photo above. The developers' most recent newsletter can be found here:
https://www.newcombehouse.info/assets/images/community-newsletter-march-2026.pdf
They've also renamed the development 'Notting Hill Place' and their marketing website can be found below. Interestingly the terraces which HVRA fought so hard for (to prevent a 'wall of windows' overlooking the Village) are now presented as one of the main assets of the development....
https://www.nottinghillplace.com/
Astley House
The developers of Newcombe House/Notting Hill Place are also redeveloping Astley House, across Kensington Church Street (where HSBC/Farina/Tylers and Eat Tokyo can be found). Planning permission for this has already been approved, but they have been seeking input from HVRA and other local organisations. This has centred mainly on overlooking issues for Boardwalk Court residents (behind the development) and on the external decoration and finish. The building height is going to be increased by one storey, with a terrace for office workers on the roof. See the plans here:
https://astleyhouse.info/