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Edinburgh Reporter
24-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
24 room HMO in Minto Street granted new licence
A 24-room HMO has been ordered to provision extended kitchen facilities for its homeless tenants in order to get its licence back. The House in Multiple Occupation licence for 2 Minto Street had lapsed, meaning the licence holder had to reapply. The re-application was heard at Monday's meeting of Edinburgh Council's Licensing Sub-Committee. According to council officer Andrew Mitchell, an inspection found that three bedrooms in the properties were found to be below the minimum width allowed by HMO regulations. In addition, officers said there was an underprovision of cooking facilities in the house, with all flats having microwaves and refrigerators while sharing one small kitchen space. The previous licence holder, Shahid Hafeez, said: 'I've had a licence on this particular property since 2003, and through my own stupidity it lapsed for two weeks. 'That's why it's a re-apply, and why it's being taken as a brand new licence. 'The three rooms in question, although they are a lot bigger than standard requirements are, the only reason they are in breach is 10 centimetres. 'The new guidelines state that a room should be 2.2 metres wide. These rooms are 2.11 metres wide, so it's very marginal. They're a lot bigger than the standard guidelines.' He said the rooms were all close to 10 square metres, while the minimum requirement is 6.5 square metres. Councillors also asked why plans submitted appeared to show all three rooms as being wider than 2.2 metres wide. He said that this was due to fixed wardrobes being installed in the rooms, which reduced the remaining width of the rooms below that line. Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Ross asked Mr Hafeez: 'The suggestion of officers of a potential way forward for the kitchen facilities is to use a storeroom in addition to the current catering facilities. 'I wanted to ask you what the store-room is currently used for.' Mr Hafeez replied: 'The storeroom is literally a laundry room, which is just off the main kitchen area. 'We have cutlery and plates, so if we were to use that as extra kitchen space, storage space, microwaves, it could be done. 'That was the question raised to me [by a council employee], albeit we've been running and providing temporary accommodation for all these years and it's never been raised before.' Cllr Ross said that he would like to see the utility space transformed into a kitchen space, and that there were too many people sharing the existing kitchen facility. He cited the high costs of takeaway as a concern for the homeless residents in the building. Liberal Democrat councillor Jack Caldwell asked whether converting the space would impede on the ability for the residents to do their washing. Mr Hafeez said the HMO would still be able to provide washing facilities for tenants, even if the space was converted. He continued that the space was a laundry room, but that washing machines were located in each room. Conservative councillor and convener of the Licensing Sub-Committee Joanna Mowat asked: 'What facilities does everyone have in their room?' Mr Hafeez replied: 'They have washing machines, fridges, microwaves, wardrobes, chest of drawers, inside cabinets, bed, mattress, hanging space, and storage space.' Cllr Mowat said: 'I think I'm probably more relaxed about the size of the rooms than I am about the kitchen facilities. I think more cooking space and worktop needs to be put in.' She then asked the Sub-Committee if it would be comfortable to require that Mr Hafeez add new worktop space, a double sink, an oven and a hob in the utility room, while approving the use of the rooms that did not meet the width standard. Labour councillor Margaret Graham said: 'I'm happy for [those] to be added as a condition, but I'm not happy with the three rooms. 'I will repeat again, [the standard] is there for a reason. People cannot feel the walls are moving into them. 'That's why 2.2 metres was met, that's the minimum standard that should be set. I feel like we have a duty to make sure that there is nobody in the city living in a room that is narrower than that.' The committee approved Cllr Mowat's proposals, while adding a requirement that the changes are enacted within three months. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Delhi AQI deteriorates again, CAQM reimposes Stage-I GRAP measures across NCR
Representative image (Picture credit: ANI) NEW DELHI: In response to a renewed spike in pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reimposed Stage-I measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. The decision was announced in an official order on Saturday, after Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 209, placing it in the 'Poor' category. As per the CAQM order, the Sub-Committee reviewed air quality data and forecasts from the IMD and IITM and observed a steady deterioration. 'The AQI of Delhi has shown an increasing trend and has been recorded at 209 on 07.06.2025. Further, the forecast also predicts AQI to mainly remain in 'Poor' category in coming days,' the order stated. In light of this, the Sub-Committee has directed all agencies in NCR to invoke Stage-I actions of the extant GRAP with 'immediate effect'. These include stricter monitoring of air quality levels and enhanced dust mitigation efforts, especially in Delhi-NCR. Citizens may also be urged to follow the citizen charter under Stage-I. Stage-I GRAP measures aim to prevent further air quality degradation through targeted interventions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo These include enforcing dust control protocols at construction sites, promoting public transport, and regulating open waste burning. The decision comes just three weeks after Stage-I measures were revoked on May 18, when Delhi's AQI had improved to 179 and settled into the 'Moderate' category. The CAQM had then observed that dust pollution caused by episodic strong winds and thunderstorms had subsided, leading to better air quality. However, with levels climbing again, dust control has once more become a key focus. In May, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) made it mandatory for all construction and demolition sites to register on its Dust Portal before plan approvals. To further strengthen action, the Delhi government, in coordination with DSIIDC, has already begun deploying GPS-enabled hydraulic anti-smog gun vehicles, each capable of spraying mist up to 30 metres. These CNG-powered vehicles are operational in two shifts across industrial zones like Bawana and Narela. Reiterating the government's dual commitment to development and environment, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said last month, 'We are taking concrete steps to minimise industrial waste and improve infrastructure so that businesses can thrive responsibly.' The CAQM has assured that it will keep a close watch on pollution levels and reassess the situation for further action based on IMD forecasts and real-time air quality data.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West London park set to be opened up for more big events
A West London council is looking to allow for more events in a Hammersmith park to bring in additional income and increase choice for residents. Hammersmith and Fulham Council has applied to vary its licence at St Paul's Green to extend its hours and remove an existing limit on when it can be used. Currently the licence is only available for one Thursday, Friday and Saturday in October a year. In its application, the council, which is also the licensing authority, wrote that more regular events 'brings extra income into the council budget and choice of events for residents'. Hammersmith and Fulham Council was approached for comment. The existing licence for St Paul's Green, which is on Hammersmith Bridge Road by the flyover and St Paul's Hammersmith Church, allows events between 5pm and 11pm on Thursday and Friday and 11am to 11pm on Saturday, though limited to the October days. The requested variation would see the limit removed, plus an extension of the hours to 11am to 11pm seven days a week. READ MORE: Inside West London's first ever tulip festival with 400,000 flowers READ MORE: The beautiful commuter village 60 minutes from London named the UK's best place to live where house prices are actually falling A representation by the Barclay Road Residents group was filed, objecting to the proposal, noting concerns including the location of the park by the Hammersmith flyover. They wrote: "In theory this might not sound too bad but in practice it could turn into all sorts of things that perhaps are not in the interest of crowd safety, public safety, safeguarding and thus the licensing objectives could be severely undermined and not promoted by either the licence holder or its third and fourth parties contracting out for the event management, event safety, etc." The pack for next week's (April 23) Licensing Sub-Committee meeting, at which the item is to be discussed, includes a letter from Licensing Compliance Officer Lorna McKenna sent to the residents' group. In the letter, Ms McKenna wrote that the request for a licence covering Monday to Sunday is to provide greater flexibility, and that the council is not looking to run events attracting more than 499 people 'that frequently'. She added the conditions attached to the application had been agreed with the Police Licensing Team ahead of submission, and that events held at the park, such as last year's Oktoberfest, require an Event Management Plan to ensure issues such as access are resolved. "The new licence would allow events to run for over 499 people where space permits," she wrote. "We are limited as to what we can deliver in our parks in the wetter months, and this hard-standing area is a very central location where we can offer a wider events programme to the community and protect our public green spaces during winter months." Ms McKenna also asked the group if they wished to withdraw their representation, having responded to the questions raised in their objection, or alternatively, if they wished to propose any additional measures to address further concerns. This offer was, however, not taken up, and the representation remained. Councils across London have been looking to their green spaces in an effort to boost income. Tower Hamlets Council approved plans to increase the capacity of events at Victoria Park from a minimum of 5,000 people to 20,000 at the end of 2023. The issue is, however, often contentious, with Wandsworth earlier this year withdrawing applications to hold events on Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common and King George's Park. Don't miss out on the biggest West London news. Sign up to our MyWestLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blue Note Jazz Club's London Expansion at Risk Over Fears of Rising Crime
Plans for New York City's iconic Blue Note Jazz Club to expand to the U.K. could be at risk, with London's Metropolitan Police Service expressing fears of a potential 'uptick in crime'. According to The Standard, plans are in place for a 350-seat venue to be established in the basement of the St Martins Lane hotel in Covent Garden. If the application is approved, the venue would be open until 1am, seven days a week. More from Billboard JISOO's Debut Solo Mini-Album 'AMORTAGE' Is Here: Stream It Now Selena Gomez Teams Up With Fiancé Benny Blanco for 'Scared of Loving You,' Announces New Album 'I Said I Love You First' Beyoncé Shares Photos of Destiny's Child Reuniting for Kelly Rowland's Birthday Party However, a Licensing Sub-Committee Report from the City of Westminster has outlined a number of objections from the local police enforcement, who have objected to the venue's construction on the grounds it would undermine the licensing objective of 'prevention of crime and disorder'. Airing their fears at a hearing with the Council on Thursday (Feb. 13), officers claimed that granting the application for the venue would 'expose more people to crime and disorder in the immediate area and further afield'. The report issued by the City of Westminster also included diagrams outlining antisocial behavior, robbery, theft, and violence in the immediate area, with the Metropolitan Police Service stating their belief that the addition of the new venue 'could add to crime, disorder and public nuisance within the immediate area'. 'Police are concerned that if the LSC grant this application within the CIZ [the West End Cumulative Impact Zone], there would be an increase in demand on an already overstretched police service and other emergency services,' the report added, noting that despite their objections, police have however met with the applicant to discuss matters. The report and hearing also included statements from unnamed local residents who shared their concerns and suggestions for the potential venue. These included recommendations that the venue's operating hours be limited to 11pm in order to limit the 'potential for crime and exploitation of vulnerable jazz lovers' 'It is suggested that it is extremely likely that some of the dispersing jazz lovers may be inebriated to a greater [or] lesser extent [or] perhaps slightly disorientated by their emergence in to the cool night air,' one resident wrote. 'They will be immediately vulnerable to the gangs of criminals who already prey on similar groups of people in the Soho area. The 1:00 am exit could become a crime hot spot.' The applicant has however responded to these concerns in the report, noting that a 1am closing time is 'integral to the music scheduling in the basement and the viability of the cultural use' of the venue. If the application for the venue is approved, it would become the latest iteration of the Blue Note Jazz Club to open around the world, and the first in the U.K.. Founded in New York City in 1981, the club has since expanded to other locations throughout the U.S. (including venues in California and Hawaii), and internationally (including Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Milan, Beijing, and Shanghai). Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
