HAMPSTEAD is still a special place to which many people aspire. Nevertheless, newly-elected councillor Linda Chung will strike a chord with her campaign to make it lovely again – the implication being that it hasn t been given the attention it deserves

HAMPSTEAD is still a special place to which many people aspire. Nevertheless, newly-elected councillor Linda Chung will strike a chord with her campaign to make it 'lovely again' - the implication being that it hasn't been given the attention it deserves by Camden Council. Many residents and traders will readily agree.

A user-friendly parking regime is high on the agenda, as are a new strategy to encourage and protect independent shops and tighter controls on planning matters. These are related issues as the parking regime discourages shoppers, while rising business rates are yet another contributing factor to the many difficulties facing smaller traders.

People love to visit Hampstead because of its charm but this too is in danger of being eroded by loose controls and the influx of large chains which can afford high operational costs while having the legal and financial muscle to twist the council's arm on planning matters. This being the case, more power to Cllr Chung's elbow!