On 8th June 2023 the Camden Council Planning Committee voted in favour of the Ferris Wheel in the face of overwhelming public opposition. However, this is not a done deal because the Mayor of London has the power to overrule this decision. Below is a copy of letter from the two Camden Town Ward councillors urging the Mayor to intervene.
To: mayor@london.gov.uk
Subject: CAMDEN PLANNING APPLICATION 2022/3940/L and related application 2022/3853/P OBSERVATION WHEEL AT CAMDEN LOCK MARKET, CHALK FARM ROAD, LONDON, NW1 8NH
Dear Sadiq,
URGENT
We are the ward councillors for the Camden Town Ward of Camden in which a 40-metre-high 'Observation Wheel' has been given planning permission by Camden Council's Planning Committee. However, because of the size of the proposed 'Observation Wheel', the proposal needs the approval of the Mayor of London. We ask that you refuse that approval for the following reasons.
Camden Lock is a major visitor destination attracting welcome visitors from all over the world. Most of those visitors arrive at Camden Town tube station, which was built in 1907, long before the area became a major visitor destination. TfL promised an upgrade to the tube station more than a decade ago to include trebling its size with a proposed new entrance in Buck Street, three new escalators and new lifts providing step-free access. Due to central government funding cuts, the upgrade never happened. The proposal for an 'Observation Wheel' will bring even more visitors into the area (indeed that is the applicants' stated aim), which will put even more pressure on a tube station that is not fit for purpose. The station already serves 80,000 passengers a day at weekends and the closure of Kentish Town station just to the north will make matters worse. It makes no sense to continually approve new applications and visitor attractions bringing in more visitors when the public transport infrastructure cannot cope with the existing number of visitors.
The whole area is unique in terms of its transport heritage - the canal having originally arrived in Camden in 1816 with the railways a few decades later - hence the objections from Historic England, the Camden Railway Heritage Trust, and the Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society. Turning Camden Lock into a theme park with a Ferris Wheel will undermine that and detract from its unique character.
The Regents Canal towing path is a key walking route for residents in neighbouring districts to access the facilities of Camden Town (shops, banks, and other facilities). Increased footfall on the towing path will add to the existing problems of antisocial behaviour including urination and littering.
As residents' associations have noted, the proposed wheel would be intrusive, out of character and would add nothing of interest to local people. To quote His Majesty the King (in his earlier incarnation as Prince of Wales and on a different subject) it would be "a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend".
We received a record number of complaints about this planning application and there is overwhelming public opposition to it. If the "Observation Wheel" goes ahead, we fear it may impact adversely on Labour's electoral prospects and we are only too aware that there is a Mayoral election next May.
Please reject this application.
Yours sincerely,
(Cllr) Pat Callaghan
(Cllr) Richard Cotton
Labour Councillors for Camden Town Ward