Amazing Spaces

Notting Hill Gate and Earl's Court Road

The areas around Notting Hill Gate and Earl’s Court Road, what we have done so far and how to get involved in ideas for future improvements.

Notting Hill Gate Local Action Plan

What is the action plan?

The Local Action Plan is a set of projects and improvement ideas shaped with the community to make Notting Hill Gate greener, safer and more accessible whilst strengthening its identity. It is designed to be used as a tool by residents, businesses, developers and the Council to leverage funding for community-backed improvements.

The plan will continue to evolve over time as projects are completed and as new opportunities or community priorities emerge.

Visit the action plan webpage to find out more. 

Where we are now

The action plan has moved into the delivery phase during the 2025-2026 financial year. The first improvements to be delivered focused on:

• greening
• decluttering street furniture
• improving a pedestrian crossing
   

Further projects are intended to be delivered as and when funding becomes available, although further testing, detailing and community engagement will be required in most cases.

Visit the action plan webpage to find out more about our progress.

How we got here

The action plan was developed with the community from 2022, when the community working group was created. Focused workshops with young people, outreach to local businesses, and surveys also helped to inform the plan.

You can find a detailed timeline of the journey so far on the action plan webpage.

Next steps

You can get involved in delivering action plan projects, identifying funding routes, contributing new ideas, or simply joining the mailing list to receive project updates. 

Review the action plan webpage and contact the project team at [email protected]. We are part of the Council’s Planning Department. 

Earl's Court Road Local Action Plan

About Earl’s Court

Earl’s Court is well known in London and internationally as the former home of the exhibition centre which hosted a range of sporting, music and other cultural events until its demolition in 2016. In the 1970s and 1980s, the area was well known as a LGBTQ+ destination.

The high street shops, restaurants and services on Earl’s Court Road that make up the district centre of Earl’s Court are surrounded by a largely residential, well-designed historic townscape. Earl’s Court Tube station at the centre of the high street, provides excellent public transport connections.

Challenges

Earl's Court is an area with rich history and potential but is facing a series of challenges that have hindered its growth and prosperity.

Local businesses have reported a decline in footfall, citing competition from other areas as a significant factor. The streets of Earl's Court have also been seen by some as dirty and unsafe, with pressing matters such as anti-social behaviour contributing to an unwelcoming atmosphere. Also, inadequate public spaces and pedestrian infrastructure add to these issues, further discouraging potential visitors and patrons.

Earl's Court has many strengths that provide a solid base for improvement and growth:

• the area's historic significance
• transport connections
• existing commercial base
• strong community interest

Achievements to date

We have already:

• adopted a Placemaking Framework in April 2023 setting out the council’s priorities for the opportunity area
• supported a local business forum
• conducted a BID feasibility research and scoping options.
• implemented a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the area, which will be in place until April 2027

Introducing the PSPO aims to:

• reduce littering
• stop street urination
• avoid public consumption of alcohol
• reduce loitering
• reduce inappropriate use of bikes and scooters

Where we are now

We asked for your views on a vision and collection of projects within the draft local action plan consultation for Earl’s Court Road, which was open until November 2024. We asked you to choose your most important project from each of the three project categories:

• improving the environment
• character and heritage
• managing the street

We also asked for your views on the draft Earl’s Court Shopfront Design Guide, and if you had ideas for any further projects for the local action plan. Find full feedback details and what actions we are taking on the consultation website.

Next steps

Read the updated version of the local action plan on our story map. 

About Hogarth Road

An opportunity was identified to improve the public space on Hogarth Road by:

• widening the pavements
• improving the street surface
• planting new trees

Improvements to the street would give the local community and visitors a high-quality space to enjoy and provide a pleasant setting for the vibrant collection of shops and small businesses.

Why have we invested in the area?

This is one of the oldest parts of Earl’s Court. It is a pretty street with attractive shopfronts, the focal point of the kiosk and special alleyway through to Kenway Road with a variety of independent and useful businesses. We have invested in the area because:

• the location close to the ‘front door’ to Earl’s Court and the Tube
• the side streets have a special character in contrast to the main road
• there is opportunity to add trees and greenery close to the busy high street and main road which are good for air quality, biodiversity and character
• outdoor café seating has calmed traffic and proved successful to add to bustling character
• this will enhance the Earl’s Court Village Conservation Area

Where we are now

The key points we have heard from local people and businesses are:

• there is a good community atmosphere with many established local businesses
• vehicle access should be retained
• a designated loading bay for deliveries would be helpful
• the area feels unsafe, especially in the evenings
• there is anti-social behaviour including people urinating in the street, affecting how businesses can operate and creating an unpleasant environment
• a market could work well here
• the pavement is dirty and stained, piles of rubbish bags tend to accumulate
• there is a collection of Filipino businesses here and in the immediate area that make it a centre for the Filipino community
• the Gingko tree is a problem in autumn when smelly, sticky fruit litters the pavement
• a good community atmosphere with many local established businesses
• the area doesn’t feel as well cared for as other parts of the borough

How we got here

We launched a six-week consultation on proposals for the area in November 2023 which closed on Thursday 7 December 2023. View the proposals and consultation summary on our consultation hub. Construction of the scheme started on Monday 28 October 2024. The resurfacing of the pavement and the road is now complete and the new street trees have been planted. The road has been opened to traffic.

Next steps

The final elements of the scheme will be completed in June 2025, including planting of the new flower beds under the Gingko tree. Cafés and restaurants on the street will be able to apply for a licence for tables and chairs on the wider pavements for visitors to enjoy outdoor hospitality.