Andrew Dismore

Plans suggested by Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore to convert a set of cottages behind West Hampstead Fire Station into key worker housing are on track, according to the London Fire brigade Commissioner Dani Cotton.

At the final meeting of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), Mr Dismore asked what progress had there been to bring the West Hampstead cottages back into use; and what the timetable for this work to be completed to allow people to move in is.

Then reply from Commissioner Cotton was:

‘All archive searches on the site have now concluded. The planning and heritage aspects of the pre-construction phase of the project are currently being finalised and all plans and other required materials are now being prepared in readiness for a pre-application meeting with the London Borough of Camden which should facilitate a start on site during Quarter 3, 2018 (July-Sept). Assuming there are no delays due to planning or build, the cottages should be ready for occupation by the end of Quarter 1, 2019 (March).’

Mr Dismore said:

‘I am really pleased that we are making good progress with this. I have been championing this plan and pressing for it for a very long time. In the aftermath of Grenfell I have spent a lot of time visiting Fire Stations across London to talk to firefighters and hear their views. So many of them tell me about their struggles with the high cost of living, as do many other people. This is a small scheme that will I hope make the cost of housing for firefighters more affordable, and help to make sure firefighters can live in the communities they serve. I want to see a lot more of this rolled out across the GLA family.’