The Belsize Society | The Belsize Society is a charity of over 500 household members who seek to preserve the character of the area, by keeping a close eye on planning and environment issues.

Welcome to The Belsize Society website

Eton Avenue – credit: Luke Collins

The Belsize Society is a charity of over 500 household members who seek to preserve the character of the area, by keeping a close eye on planning and environment issues. We work with local public bodies to improve the quality of local services and we promote a greater sense of community by providing information about local issues and holding social events. We publish a quarterly Newsletter and an annual booklet of recommendations for Traders You Can Trust

Find out more About Us, About Belsize and join The Belsize Society here.

News & Issues

See all current news and issues, or read a post below:

New Swiss Cottage Tower planning application - You may have seen the Society’s campaign on the “Red Finger,” the 100 Avenue Road tower, in the Ham and High this week. As our planning representative, Alan Selwyn explained: the deadline set by Camden for objections to the new planning proposal is Sunday 6 April. We are concerned that… Read more
Saving the Swiss Cottage pub - With the surprise closure of the historic Ye Olde Swiss Cottage pub, Belsize Society is involved in the campaign to save the pub site for the community. The pub, which gave its name to the area, ceased trading after nearly 200 years, at two weeks’ notice, on February 1. Builders… Read more
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): an Update - We included a note about EPCs in our August 2023 Newsletter. An EPC is needed whenever a home is built, sold or rented. It contains information about a property’s energy use, typical energy costs, and recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money. It gives a property an… Read more

Features & Comments

See all current features and comments, or read a post below:

Retrofit v Conservation: How are Camden’s Planning Polices Changing? - Bethany Cullen, Camden Development Director & Stephen Walters, Camden Climate Fund & colleagues will talk about retrofit and conservation in Camden and how the Council’s planning polices are changing? Come and discuss: How we balance retrofit with heritage? What are the new rules on heat pumps and solar panels? What are the new funding opportunities? How do you find out for free if planning permission is still necessary? What is the next step on your project? Get advice from Camden Planners. Organised by Retrofit Kentish Town in partnership with… Read more
Belsize Society Newsletter February 2025 - Welcome to the February Belsize Society Newsletter. A pdf of this Newsletter is available also. It was good to see so many members at this year’s carol singing in Belsize Village. We were fortunate to avoid the heavy December rain. We were once again joined by Primrose Hill Community Choir, raising over £300 for the Royal Free charity. Members will have noticed that the Swiss Cottage pub has been shut down. This historic site, which gives the area its name, is a part of our community that should not… Read more
The artistic side of the Belsize community : Craft for all - New Newsletter contributor, Clara Dubanchet, writes: For the last three years, residents and visitors to Belsize Park have been able to pause in astonishment, amusement, awe, or bewilderment at the sight of peculiar hats topping the red letterbox on England’s Lane. Crowned by a cover on which are sewn various items, animals, or characters changing with the seasons or major events, it is not the only one to stand out. On Thurlow Road, another letterbox is decorated, as is the telephone box in Primrose Gardens. Who could be working… Read more