Author: Blake Foster

Foundation Nurseries’ premises in The Pavilion off Beauly Way was visited by the education watchdog in May, with the inspection now publicly available on Ofsted’s website.  Inspectors praised staff at the nursery based off their observations, noting how staff “know each child in their care very well” and “value what makes each child unique”.  Ofsted described the nursery as ‘highly inclusive’ (Image: Foundation Nurseries) The nursery environment has been described as “highly inclusive”, instilling a sense of belonging in the children and leading them to “arrive happily to this friendly and welcoming nursery”.  According to Ofsted, children are “keen to point out their…

A row of 29 garages to the rear of Chingford Mount Road will be torn down and replaced with a two-storey and three-storey building, each comprising four flats. Some 86 residents lodged formal objections against the scheme, while more than 100 signed a petition. Around a dozen were in attendance for the planning committee meeting last night on July 8, where it was passed by three votes to two. One resident, living in nearby Field Close, told the committee it was “clear overdevelopment”. She said the new buildings would “sit awkwardly between existing homes” and “disrupt [the area’s] existing character”.…

The council will look to make 205 homes more energy efficient, in a bid to lower bills and meet net zero targets. The government has proposed targets for all rented homes in the UK to meet band C of the energy performance certificate (EFC) register by 2035. A property falls within band C if its heating and running costs are moderate, and it is well insulated with efficient heating systems. The legal minimum for a rented property is band E, which is still considered poor. Homes classified as band D or below will be eligible for improvements. The council says…

People living near New Cross Road were cleared from their homes shortly after 10pm yesterday (July 9), after the leak. The London Fire Brigade says that around 100 people were cleared from the area, with gas company SGN saying this involved 80 properties. Emergency services joined SGN after reports of a person smelling gas in the area. Investigations have been taking place and showed that an electrical fault damaged one of the service pipes, causing the leak. SGN says that it is still working to remove the gas in the properties, and people affected will be unable to return until…

Network Rail submitted redrawn plans for the station’s redevelopment to The City of London in April, having dropped previous plans for a 21-storey building after the authority received more than 2,000 objections. A planning statement on behalf of Network Rail by consultancy firm Newmark says the revised proposal has been “designed expressly to minimise the areas of harm to heritage assets and to preserve the established townscape and views”. But planning officers at Tower Hamlets Council say the development would “directly impact the setting” of two conservation areas in the borough, as well as the listed Christ Church building in…

At around 1.10pm on June 27, a girl boarded at Tottenham Court Road when she sat opposite a man. About 20 minutes into the journey he exposed himself and masturbate in front of her until the train arrived at Slough. The man is then believed to have boarded a second train to Windsor and Eton. Detectives would like to speak to the man in the image who they believe may have information that could help their investigation. Anyone who recognises the man is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting…

Labour councillor Emma Whysall, delivering a motion to the council on July 8, said the council had resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy and relevant government departments urging for immediate reform of gambling laws. More than 40 councils, led by Brent, have written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy backing a ‘six point plan’ for reform. The plan calls for the Government to reform the ‘aim to permit’ policy, to allow councils to refuse gambling premises that pose risks to local safety, introduce greater restrictions on gambling adverts, and direct proceeds from…

The incident between two men happened in Wood Street around 7.15pm yesterday (July 9). Both men had fled the scene by the time officers arrived. However, a 19-year-old later went to hospital with stab wounds that same evening. His injuries have been assessed as non life-threatening and non life-changing, and there have been no further arrests. He was later arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “On Wednesday, 9 July at 7.16pm police were called to reports of an altercation between two men on Wood Street, E17. “Both had fled…

More than 500 town centres across the country have signed up to the government’s Safer Streets scheme, which promises tougher action on shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. The summer crackdown – which runs from July until September 30 – will see increased police patrols in town centres, a named, contactable officer in every community, and antisocial behaviour leads in every police force. READ MORE: Meet Romford My Local Bobby officers tackling shoplifting ‘nightmare’ Police also plan to ramp up the use of enforcement powers against criminals, including banning perpetrators from hotspots. East London towns that are part of the scheme include Romford, Ilford, Barking and Shoreditch,…

The London Ambulance Service was sent with the air ambulance to Seville Street just before 9.30pm yesterday (July 9). Officers arrived to find a man who had been stabbed and he later died at the scene. A crime scene was put in place outside the Park Tower Hotel and Casino, directly across the road fro, the Harvey Nichols department store. Those closest to the victim have been told and are now being supported by specialist officers. There have been no arrests but an investigation is underway. Superintendent Owen Renowden, who leads policing in Kensington and Chelsea, said: “Our thoughts are…