Amazing Spaces

Local action plans for Notting Hill Gate and Earl's Court Road

On this page, you will find information about the area around Notting Hill Gate and Earl’s Court Road, what we’ve done so far and how to get involved on ideas for future improvements.

 

Notting Hill Gate Local Action Plan

What is the Notting Hill Gate Action Plan?

The purpose of the action plan is to have a series of deliverable interventions to improve the high street which are ready to be implemented in the short, medium, or long term.

This action plan is not a statutory document, but rather a framework that is updated over time to reflect the changing nature of high streets and community aspirations.

Where we are now

The Notting Hill Gate draft action plan was open for comments for six weeks between 13 May and 23 June 2024. 

We received 155 responses.

We are currently analysing the results and hope to be able to share them with the public in the autumn 2024. In the meantime, you can find out more about the draft proposals on this story map website.

Get in touch 

You can sign up for updates or contact the project team at [email protected]..

Next steps

We will seek to share results from the consultation and how the feedback was considered in the autumn 2024. As the action plan will remain a live document, additional project ideas can still be submitted after the consultation closes.

What is the draft vision for Notting Hill Gate?

Notting Hill Gate will be a green, healthy, safe and welcoming high street with a unique identity. A place that inspires and delights. It will meet the needs of residents and attract visitors and businesses.

This vision has been created by the community working group.

What are the draft objectives of the action plan?

The vision for Notting Hill Gate and high street principles were translated into a series of deliverable objectives by the community working group:

A pedestrian-centred high street with more opportunities to gather. A well-managed, well-maintained high street. A high street that is accessible, welcoming, and safe for all. A healthy high street that is walking, cycling and public transport friendly. A high street that celebrates its own individual character and history. A greener and climate conscious high street. A high street with a strong identity rooted in public art and cultural attractions. A high street which supports retail and essential services.

 

The group has been meeting since November 2022 and about 20 people attended each session.

Together, we created a vision, objectives, and a list of projects to improve the high street.

Urban designers Studio PDP and traffic consultants WSP were also involved to ensure initial viability.

Discussions were also informed by a survey that asked people about the emerging priorities and invited ideas for potential improvements. The survey ran from September 2022 to January 2023 and received 98 responses. You can find out more about the survey on the Notting Hill Gate Local Action Plan feedback page.

The project team interviewed 20 local businesses in early 2023 to gather their views on what is the trading environment like in Notting Hill Gate, and what they would like to see improved.

The draft action plan has also been informed by workshops with the Youth Council and local pupils attending Fox Primary and Holland Park schools, facilitated by ZCD Architects.

Find out more about how the community helped to shape the action plan on the Story Map website.

How will the action plan be implemented?

All the proposed interventions are subject to further validation and modelling.

The interventions outlined are ambitious, and some of the proposed changes would require Council support if they were to be delivered. For example, pavement widening and improvements to pedestrian crossings.

Smaller interventions could be delivered by the community. For example, hanging baskets and new public artwork.

We will publish further guidance on how to deliver proposed interventions following consultation.

How have we got here?

The interventions have been developed with a community working group of residents, local businesses, ward councillors and council officers.

Earl's Court Road Local Action Plan

On this page, you will find information about the area on Earl’s Court Road, what we’ve done so far and how to get involved on ideas for future improvements.

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 lies at the centre of the high street, providing 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 perceived by some as dirty and unsafe, with pressing matters such as anti-social behaviour contributing to an unwelcoming atmosphere. Additionally, inadequate public realm and pedestrian infrastructure exacerbate these issues, further discouraging potential visitors and patrons.

Earl's Court possesses notable strengths that provide a solid foundation for improvement and growth. The area's historic significance, transport connections, existing commercial base, and strong community interest can serve as cornerstones for revitalisation efforts.

What we’ve already achieved 

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

The aims of introducing the PSPO are to help:

• reduce littering  

• stop street urination  

• avoid public consumption of alcohol  

• reduce loitering  

• 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. You can find the full feedback details about what we heard, and what actions we are taken on the consultation website.

Revitalising Earl’s Court Road - Kensington and Chelsea's Consultation and Engagement Hub - Citizen Space

 

Next steps

We will look to publish the Local Action Plan as amended shortly.

 

About Hogarth Road 

An opportunity was identified to improve the public space on Hogarth Road by widening the pavements, improving the street surface, and 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?

• Location close to the ‘front door’ to Earl’s Court and the tube. 
• Side streets have a special character as a contrast to the main road.  
• This is one of the oldest parts of Earl’s Court. A pretty street architecturally with attractive shopfronts, the focal point of the kiosk and special alleyway through to Kenway Road with a variety of independent and useful businesses.  
• 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.
• Enhancing 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. You can still view the proposals and consultation summary on our consultation hub. 

 

Hogarth Road Public Realm Improvements - Kensington and Chelsea's Consultation and Engagement Hub - Citizen Space.

 

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 to put out tables and chairs on the wider pavements for visitors to enjoy outdoor hospitality.