Save Portobello Road Campaign - Requests for Information

The following Freedom of Information Request was sent on 10th March,2010 to London’s Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where Portobello Road is located:

1. What arrangements, if any, are under consideration or will be made, to protect the small traditional shop owners/stall holders from ever increasing rates and rents?

2. What proposals/arrangements will be introduced to prevent multinational, faceless shops establishing their presence in the Market?

3. What proposals exist or are under consideration to provide more public toilets in Portobello Road?

At present there are just 2 automated, coin operated toilets. One at Lonsdale Road and the 2nd at Tavistock Road. The underground toilet n Talbot Road is shut.
It is clearly obvious that these meagre facilities are woefully inadequate. Particularly for those with children and for the elderly and disabled. Long queues can be seen at either of the facilities. These are quite long on busy days. Those who need to use the facility on more urgent basis, have to ask the local pubs/shops to let them use their facilities, which are often located in difficult to access areas of their properties. In turn putting the responsibility on the staff, to frequently check their toilets, to ensure that they are clean and free of any debris, which the itinerant visitors may have left behind.

15th March,2010:
As a result of Mr Simon Jenkins’s article ’Save these jewels of London from developer rape’  in London’s Evening Standard on Tuesday 9th March,2010, about the establishment of a clothing giant’s branch in Portobello Road, the following extra request was submitted:

4. What Planning Applications have been received by RBKC concerning short and long term development of Portobello Road?

5. What are RBKC’s own development plans for Portobello Road?

6. Provide a copy of Mr Warren Todd’s Planning Application relating to the re-development of such an important, iconic site as the large property on the corner of Portotbello Road and Westborne Grove.