Latest news with #WandsworthCouncil
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Labour council permits year-long pro-Palestine protest outside US embassy
A Labour-run council is under pressure to evict pro-Palestine protesters camped near the US embassy for nearly a year amid an outcry from residents. The Community Camp 4 Palestine (CC4Pal), situated at Nine Elms Pavilion on the Thames embankment, was set up last September, calling for an end to Israel's attacks on Gaza. The camp comprises of tents, an open kitchen area and communal seating – as well as banners, posters and Palestinian flags. The banners on display include 'End the siege on Gaza now', 'this is your genocide ', 'stop the genocide', 'free Palestine' and 'stop arming Israel'. However, locals say they have been left 'distressed and intimidated ' by the ongoing encampment. One resident who lives at nearby Embassy Gardens told The Telegraph: 'We suffer a lot from the encampment. I try to avoid walking that way where the encampment is. 'We hear a lot of chanting and noise. They [the activists] seem to vandalise the local area with a lot of stickers, banners, and graffiti, which I find distressing. 'We have complained to the council, but we have been told that they can't do anything about it.' Another said in a written complaint: 'I am appalled to see that Wandsworth Council continues to allow, surely what is an illegal encampment by the river near the American Embassy.' A third said: 'I am distressed every time I walk past here. I feel intimidated and take exception to the statements being made,' whilst a fourth added: 'The posters have increased in number over the last few months. This is totally unacceptable.' UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) is calling for the encampment to be closed down. The group has pointed out that displaying Palestinian flags and banners in a public place requires planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. In a letter to Andrew Travers, interim chief executive of London Borough of Wandsworth Council, Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI, said: 'Wandsworth Council is the owner of the land on which the activists have set up their 'encampment.' It is therefore the Council's responsibility to evict the protesters.' She added: 'The Council does not appear to have taken all reasonable steps to secure the removal of the flags or banners on its land and therefore has committed and is continuing to commit criminal offences.' Speaking to the Telegraph, Ms Turner said: 'The Council continues to drag its feet in removing the illegal encampment, which has distressed and intimidated Jewish and other residents when they walk past. 'It is Wandsworth Council's responsibility to remove this encampment with its flags, offensive posters, and slogans. We hope they will fulfill their duty and start the removal process.' 'Protect rights to peaceful assembly and expression' The Telegraph understands that the encampment will remain in place until there is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. In a petition set up last week, CC4Pal hit back and called on council leaders to keep the camp in place in order to ' protect rights to peaceful assembly and expression.' They added: 'Our human and civic rights permit us to peacefully protest and express opposition to what the world's highest courts have deemed to be a plausible genocide and war crimes, being committed by Israel in Gaza. 'We are a diverse and inclusive group of concerned volunteers, moved by our collective humanity to act against Israeli crimes in Palestine.' A spokesperson for Wandsworth Council said: 'Throughout the period this protest has been present on the site, we have and continue to engage with the protestors and the community. 'We also work closely with the police to ensure that any instances of anti-social behaviour (ASB) or other criminal behaviour is reported and dealt with.' Last year, pro-Palestinian protesters camped outside Labour-run Hackney Council for several months, demanding civic chiefs 'divest Israeli Arms' and break a long-held twinning relationship with Haifa in Israel. Encampments and sit-ins also sprang up across British universities last year, including at the universities of Oxford, Cambridg e, Manchester, Bristol, and University College London.
The Guardian
21-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
London council let me live in a soaking, mouldy flat for a year
I am a 91-year-old leaseholder in a block of flats owned by Wandsworth council. I'm living with saturated walls, dripping water and falling plaster because the council has failed to address a leak that began elsewhere in the block a year ago. When I first reported it, contractors made a large opening in my kitchen wall to inspect a service duct that contains plumbing for 10 flats. The hole has never been made good and is now crawling with insects. The council's plumbers have, over time, identified the possible source in various flats, stuck cards through the door asking the resident to get in touch, stuck more cards through when they got no response, and then decided the leak was coming from a different floor. I've been diagnosed with bladder cancer, and given the deteriorating condition of my home and the impact on my mental and physical health, I asked for the leak to be redesignated as an emergency, but this was refused. CA, London The photo you sent of your kitchen is horrifying. A substantial section of wall around the inspection hole made by the contractors is soaked, discoloured and crumbling. Mouldy debris is scattered along its base. These are hazardous conditions for anyone to endure, let alone a 91-year-old recovering from cancer treatment. It was January when you first contacted me. I first asked Giles Peaker, a partner at Anthony Gold Solicitors, to clarify where a council's responsibilities to leaseholders begin and end. He confirmed that Wandsworth council should be responsible for communal areas and structures, including plumbing, and for all tenanted flats, and that it should have a right of access to tenanted and leasehold flats to carry out repairs to these parts. If the leak were in a leasehold flat, the council would most likely have powers to oblige the occupier to repair it, or else revoke the lease. Repairs should be carried out within a reasonable time. Despite this, the council blamed the delay on 'access difficulties' when I questioned its inertia. It told me it had since discovered the leak in a leasehold flat but had to await an asbestos test before it could be tackled. Yet it had told you, seven weeks previously, that an asbestos test had been completed. It ignored my questions about the discrepancy but told you its earlier assertion about the test being carried out was mistaken. Three weeks after my contact, you were then told the leak was not where it was supposed to be after all, and so the waiting game continued. The council declined to explain why an exploratory camera could not be inserted into the communal duct through the opening in your kitchen, which has already been declared asbestos free. For the next three months, you and I repeatedly chased the council for updates. By May the leak had finally been identified in a tenanted flat and repaired. At this point Wandsworth offered to repair the damage to your flat and installed a dehumidifier but you, understandably suspicious of its timescales, decided to do the repairs through your insurer. You are still waiting for the area to dry out before repairs can begin. The council says: 'We have spoken to the resident to apologise for the delay and he has accepted an offer of £400 compensation for the stress and inconvenience caused. We will be reviewing our processes to ensure this does not happen again.' You say: 'I think that the council employees with whom I have dealt have tried to help under a system that simply doesn't work, having no built-in imperative to get anything done.' We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions.
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Ring doorbell reign of terror sees 'UK's worst neighbour' jailed
Drina Gray, 52, terrorised the young couple by smashing their Ring doorbells and regularly taking her dog to defecate on their doorstep in Wandsworth, south west London A nightmare neighbour who terrorised the couple living above her through their Ring doorbell has been jailed for more than three years. Drina Gray, 52, harrassed victims Ben and Emma - who do not want to give their surnames - "morning, noon and night", a judge said. Ben, 32, bought his first flat in Wandsworth, southwest London, in 2022. But when council tenant Gray moved into the flat below his the following April, his life changed. After reporting her for kicking her dog - which he says he caught on CCTV cameras - Gray launched into a "relentless" campaign that made Ben and his partner Emma prisoners in their own home. In the months that followed, Ben claims his neighbour smashed two Ring doorbells in less than a year, issued regular chilling threats via cameras and took her dog to dirty their doorstep. The product manager even lost his job at a startup company because of the lack of sleep he was getting due to Gray blasting loud music and hoovering the communal hallway in the early hours of the morning. Countless disturbing videos captured by Ben's cameras show Gray shouting, swearing and threatening him. After Gray was finally prosecuted for her campaign of hate and a judge ordered her into custody, she escaped from court and went on the run for weeks. She claimed that Ben had been using her as "bait" to make his 31-year-old partner Emma, who also lives at the flat, jealous after a break-up. But jailing her for 40 months, Judge Peter Lodder KC told her she had harassed the couple "morning, noon and night". "You made the lives of your neighbours hell," he said. "You persistently harassed them morning, noon and night. Despite orders being obtained to seek to prevent you from behaving in the way you did, you continued in your campaign. It may well be that you were under the influence of alcohol, but that is not an excuse - it's an aggravation. "It's no consolation at all to the people you were threatening with extreme violence. This was over a period of six months. You well knew what you were doing." Judge Lodder jailed Gray for 40 months after she admitted charges of harassment intended to put in fear of violence, two charges of criminal damage relating to doorbell cameras she smashed and a public order offence of using threatening words and behaviour towards Ben. A further charge of failing to comply with a community protection notice was dealt with by way of a two-year conditional discharge at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court in June. Ben, who claims he recorded "140" separate incidents of harassment over 18 months, has complained previously of the way Gray's case was dealt with by the authorities, including by the Metropolitan Police, Wandsworth Council and the court services. He claims that when Gray once threatened to "shoot" him and his partner Emma, who works in marketing, police took "13 hours" to respond. Court cases involving Gray were adjourned multiple times before she was finally sentenced for her offending. Prosecutor Dylan Bub, outlining the facts of the case, told the court: "The victim and defendant are neighbours - they live in the same block. The defendant moved into the bottom flat in April 2023. Since the defendant moved into her property, she engaged in a campaign of harassment against [Ben]." Mr Bub explained that though the first year passed without incident, Ben installed cameras at his property after Gray stole two parcels from outside his door. In May 2024, he said Gray broke the first of two Ring doorbell cameras - which cost £100 each - by punching it "repeatedly". Mr Bub told the court that after Ben reported Gray's harassment to police, she continued to make threats - including once threatening to burn his house down. Despite being issued a community protection notice, she broke it the same day. She was sent to court and the case progressed through various hearings, but at one point she even absconded and a warrant was produced for her arrest. But after she was eventually caught and brought before a crown court judge, the prosecutor said "no evidence" had been provided by police, and the charge was dropped. Ben told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court that Gray's abusive campaign had left him feeling "embarrassed, humiliated, numb" and even "suicidal". In his witness statement, written last December, he said: "To put it simply, this situation has completely taken over my life. What should have been a happy and exciting time for me - owning and living in my first home - has turned into a living nightmare. I don't feel safe in my own home anymore and live in a state of numbness caused by anxiety and depression. "Instead of being a place where I can relax and unwind, it's a place where I'm constantly on edge, waiting for the next abusive episode from Miss Gray. Every day I feel trapped, knowing she's right below me, ready to scream abuse at me, make threats and continuously taunt me and my partner. Her threats towards me are terrifying. She regularly shouts that people are waiting to 'break my legs' or 'cut my throat' [...]. "This situation has left me feeling broken - mentally, physically and emotionally. I feel like my life has been on pause for 18 months because of Miss Gray's actions. I've lost my peace of mind, my health, my job, and even the ability to enjoy my home. I just want to feel safe and normal again." Gray read a personal letter to the judge out in court, in which she apologised for her actions but also claimed Ben had used her as "bait" to make his partner 'jealous'. Her defence advocate, Tammy Sher, also told the court several car accidents had driven her to alcohol, and that she too has suffered from suicidal thoughts. But Judge Lodder said she "deserved" her sentence, telling her: "You were given many a warning. You chose to ignore these warnings and breach the notices that were served upon you. "I am aware of the consequences of your behaviour: [the victims] were frightened in their own homes, incapable of relaxing. You induced in them panic attacks and sleep deprivation. [Ben] lost his job, but fortunately obtained another. I can wholly understand why he says he became suicidal in his thinking and desperate, because you ignored council and court orders [...]. "You have 18 convictions for 40 offences. Your offending has been aggravated by alcohol. In my view, you deserve a sentence of 40 months' imprisonment." A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service said: 'Drina Gray conducted herself appallingly, and we extend our sympathies to her victim, who endured an unrelenting campaign of harassment. 'The defendant admitted to numerous offences – including harassment and criminal damage – following a Met investigation. She awaits sentencing for these. 'Adjournments in case hearings are at the discretion of the courts. A charge of escaping from court on Wednesday, 26 March, was initially brought against Gray by the Met. However, this was later discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service.' Cllr Aydin Dikerdem, a WBC Cabinet member for housing, said he accepted the authority could have acted faster following Ben's serious complaints about his neighbour.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Alton Estate residents to be balloted over regeneration plans
The fate of a south-west London estate that was "left to rot" is due to be decided in the Council will ballot residents on new regeneration proposals for the Alton Estate in Roehampton after the Labour administration scrapped the original masterplan because of the number of affordable council has published a revised masterplan for the estate which proposes almost 100 more affordable homes than before, improved community facilities and a replacement shopping parade. Labour councillor Aydin Dikerdem, cabinet member for housing, said the revised masterplan would be "one of the most ambitious renewal programmes in London". Dikerdem said: "Roehampton has got large social deprivation. It's an area where the council needs to invest in order to make sure that life chances in Wandsworth are fair, and so it's really, really important that alongside the housing offer we also have a really good community offer."Under the new masterplan, 167 homes on the estate would be replaced with 614 new homes, with 57% affordable housing. There would be a net increase in social housing, although the exact figure has not been confirmed, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. The council's previous Conservative administration planned to demolish 288 homes on the estate and replace them with 1,108 new homes – including 261 affordable homes. A new community hub with a library, a family hub with a GP surgery, a bigger supermarket, community square and council offices have been proposed under the new masterplan.A recent viability study commissioned by the council reported that a suitable regeneration scheme could be delivered at a net cost of about £ Dem Kieren McCarthy, who stood for Putney in last year's general election, said residents had been "treated appallingly for 20 years"."It's been left to rot and it's an embarrassment," he said of the estate.A previous council report said Alton Estate had areas among the 20% most deprived in England, according to research in 2018, and among the 10% most deprived in respect of income and most residents vote in favour of the scheme following a ballot in September, the council aims to submit a planning application in June 2026.
Metro
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
London's best lidos, ponds and outdoor pools to beat the heatwave
A searing heatwave is sweeping the UK, and all any of us Londoners can think of is where to go to cool off. It's so hot, in fact, that the previous record of 40°C, in July 2022, could be under threat. A health agency has issued an amber heat warning, meaning there's potential for it to be dangerously hot, and the Met Office has warned it's only going to get hotter. In London, we don't have the luxury of a coast. But along with dozens of parks and buzzing beer gardens, we do have plenty of lidos and spots for wild swimming. So, grab your towel, slap on some factor 50, and dive right in. After a £4 million revamp, Tooting Bec Lido is finally open to the public this summer. At 90 metres long, it's the UK's largest freshwater swimming pool, catering to 1,300 Londoners. The lido offers two sessions per day, alongside special swim times to kickstart the season. As well as installing a new pumphouse and UV filtration system to keep the water clean and safe, the surrounding area has also had a glow-up. The changing rooms have been given a sleek, modern update and there's fresh landscaping around the water's edge. According to Wandsworth Council, 130 free tickets for swimming sessions will be available for eligible residents under Wandsworth's Access for All scheme. Otherwise, it's £9.40 for adults and £5.20 for kids. If you want wild swimming without travelling to the countryside, make for Hampstead Heath Ponds. Split between mixed, and men's and women's areas, the ponds have a cult following and come July will be heaving with crowds. Who knows, you might even spot a celebrity. A-listers are known to frequent the Heath, with Harry Styles, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Woody Harrelson all swimming there in recent years. Tickets are £4.80 for adults and £2.90 for concessions for 60 minutes of swimming. Tucked in the corner of Brixton's Brockwell Park, this lido is a real sun trap on a warm day. The 50m Olympic-sized pool sits beside an art deco building, with a cute café where you can refuel after a swim. Lane swims cost £8 for up to 50 minutes, and must be booked in advance. Another South London gem, this Olympic-sized heated pool has a summer sun terrace, coffee bar, and outdoor gym equipment. If you're lucky, you'll see the local parakeets flying above while you backstroke. Adult swimming sessions cost £11.50, with prices starting at £5.50 for concessions. Opened in the 1930s, this unheated outdoor pool is open to the public 365 days a year. Located near Gospel Oak train station, it's ideal for those who don't feel ready to brave the ponds. Swimming sessions start at £4.80 for adults and £2.00 for concessions, with no need to book ahead (but you may need to queue if it's busy). At Green Lanes in Stoke Newington, you can go for an open-water swim or try your hand at kayaking at the West Reservoir. It's not for the faint-hearted – temperatures are low, but it's a great spot to get used to the cold water in a beautiful setting. Once you're done, warm up with a coffee at the waterside cafe. Open water swimming – which is available between 7am and 6pm – costs £13.15. Sessions are 30 minutes. Beckenham Place Park is the largest green space in Lewisham, and although you'll get the feel of wild swimming, lifeguards are on hand to ensure everything is safe, and you can hire kayaks or paddle boards at certain times too. Whichever water-based activity you choose, the lake offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle. One-hour sessions cost £7.40 for non-residents. Lewisham locals pay a little less, at £6.80. Fancy hitting up one of London's most iconic 'open water' swimming locations? Head to Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park. Here you can swim surrounded by nature, before drying off in the Lido Cafe Bar with a fresh lunch and a glass of wine. If you don't want to swim, but fancy checking out the views,waterside tables are available. For a full day at the lido, it's just £7.50. According to the website, Serpentine Lido will reopen for the weekend on May 17, and then fully from 24 May. If you've got kids in tow, Hillingdon Lido is a great shout. The 1930s Grade II-listed, 50m open-air swimming pool oozes art deco charm, and is considered a 'hidden gem.' Not only are there stunning fountains to play around in, but there's also a new, heated shallow splash pool for little ones. It's close to Ruislip Lido, a sandy (man-made) beach with a lake beside it, though swimming is not permitted there. Also ideal for families, there's an ice-cream shop and play areas suited for kids. Worth the journey if you fancy a day in nature. Tickets cost £11 for non-residents. Let's be honest, this is the UK, and we're not always guaranteed good weather. More Trending And if the heavens open this weekend, Finchley Lido Leisure Centre has your back. This indoor complex combines a pool with slides, a wave machine and jets. There's also a cinema and a bowling alley for some post-swim fun. Outside, there is a 25-metre swimming pool open during the summer months. Swimming costs £8.30. MORE: Man 'carrying a gun' at Elm Park Underground station arrested during rush hour MORE: Does drinking alcohol in the sun really get you drunk faster? A doctor shares their verdict MORE: Defenceless' grandad, John Murray, 75, found beaten to death in his Chiswick home
