ACT NOW TO SAVE EALING TOWN CENTRE!
In less than a week, on 10th March, the controversial Perceval House scheme is back on the agenda and could be approved, blighting Ealing town centre for a generation.
Why the rush?
In a shocking and cynical move, the current Ealing Council administration is trying to push this environmentally damaging scheme through planning next Wednesday evening (10th March), in spite of huge opposition. It fails to deliver social housing, the poorest families will not be able to afford to live there. The planning committee refused to approve it just two weeks ago. They did not even discuss the height which will ruin the character of the area around Ealing’s historic Town Hall.
This scheme is being both proposed by the council (as an investor in the development) and judged by the council (as the planning authority).
Is this a new low?
YES! STT feels this behaviour has brought Ealing to a new low in terms of cynical manipulation of the planning process and total disregard for the views and interests of residents.
STT has always been non political and remains so, we do not support one party over another. We recognise that this should not be a party political issue. Many of our ward councillors support good planning, indeed Ward Councillors from all parties plus our two local MPs, James Murray and Rupa Huq, have been actively involved in campaigning against over development and for sustainable schemes and social housing.
However, recent developments regarding Perceval House, and obvious conflict of interests, force us to question the behaviour of the Cabinet within Ealing Council and the decisions they take.
Why the need to push this development through in the middle of lockdown?
Why the need to rush it through before planning decisions are suspended prior to the GLA elections?
A few minor alterations to the tenure mix do NOT fix the major flaws in this scheme that is being rushed through with indecent haste. Of the Labour councillors who voted for it to be deferred, only two have been reselected to be part of the Planning Committee to consider it it again. A cynic might ask why those who’d voiced concerns last time have been dropped for this meeting?
What has changed?
Not a lot! It still has a 26 storey tower, plus 5 other blocks. A few more 3 bedroom flats, but there are still no social rent homes and too few London Affordable Rent homes. What is unacceptable, these truly affordable flats are all segregated into separate blocks to the homes for private sale! It is worse than having ‘poor doors’! The developer even acknowledges it breaches planning guidelines as there is not enough amenity space or play space according to planning guidance. This does not bode well for any families hoping to enjoy time outside their homes.
The newly published London Plan states that developments should “maximise tenure integration”. A spokesman for Khan said: “The mayor wishes to see mixed developments, preferably where affordable housing is spread throughout new developments rather than concentrated in separate blocks and floors.” Ealing Council is failing to ensure this happens.
For details of the key issues proposed – click here.
These minor floor plan tweaks don’t compensate for a scheme that is a bad idea. It will contribute to even more social cleansing by stealth. Low income families are not being helped to live in central Ealing. On public land we’d expect far more genuinely affordable homes – not luxury flats!
How you can help to stop this:
- Object online to Planning Ref 203275FULR3 today by clicking here. Even if you have previously objected, you can comment again on the changes they have made and whether you still object.
A list of valid reasons for objecting are on the STT Ealing website – click here. - Email Ealing’s GLA member, Labours Dr Onkar Sahota and tell him your thoughts. Click here.
Dr Onkar Sahotra onkar.sahota@london.gov.uk
Dr Sahota is seeking re-election in May.
Ealing citizens will be liable if it flops! 🙁
Stop The Towers
www.stopthetowers.org
And if that’s not bad enough, look what’s happening on the 17th March:
The proposed development at Gurnell will consist of 6 tower blocks ranging from 6 to 17 storeys which is a massive 53m on protected Metropolitan Open Land. Also, the area has not been identified by Ealing for tall buildings.
The proposal is excessively dense. It contains 599 units – 403 will be open market sale, 98 Shared Ownership and 98 London Affordable Rent (this is more expensive than social rent levels and will have service charges on top). The affordable housing is totally segregated creating a “poor door” and those residents will not have access to the “communal facilities” such as the roof garden and residents hub.
Gurnell is on the agenda for the 17th March Planning Committee. There are now nearly 1,700 public objections. If you haven’t already objected you can do so here:
For more information you can visit the Save Gurnell website here.
Plus these other major developments all on one Planning Committee agenda!
CP House
210030FUL | Demolition of the existing 12 storey office building, and construction of part 11, part 13 storey office building with flexible uses at ground floor including hard and soft landscaping and all necessary ancillary and enabling works | C P House 97-107 Uxbridge Road Ealing W5 5TL
Link to the planning application click here
Dawley House
P/2014/0276 | Demolition of the existing building and construction of a part 12, part 11 and part 9 storey aparthotel (Class C1) with associated facilities and restaurant at the ground floor and business floorspace at the first floor; together with basement car parking and associated landscaping works (Departure Planning Application) | Dawley House 91-95 Uxbridge Road Ealing W5 5TH
Link to the planning application click here
Ealing Civic Society – link to their responses click here
Southall Phase 3 The Green Quarter Community, Southall Waterside
https://www.thegreenquartercommunity.co.uk/the-site
https:\www.southallwatersidecommunity.co.uk\media\pdf\n\i\Southall_Waterside_Phase_3_Proposals.pdf
STT podcasts
Stop The Towers have produced podcasts on the subjects of the planning process, expert review panels, as well as Shared Ownership & Environmental Issues. These discussions with some experts in their fields that are compelling listening, click here
Podcast #3: Is the Planning Process in Ealing Broken?
Podcast #4: Design Review Panels and Community Review Panels
Ongoing support for Stop The Towers
For details about the many developments across the borough, please visit the Stop The Towers Ealing website; https://www.stopthetowersealing.org/
Further afield in Isleworth, the Osterley Tesco proposals, click here.
If you have time and skills to offer please email us; tell us what you can do and we’ll be back in touch. stopthetowers@hotmail.com
Whatever happens next we will need to continue our campaign work. Unfortunately this costs money so if you can offer even a small about to our fighting find this would be appreciated – click here. Remember every single penny goes into our campaigning activity to create a better area around West Ealing station.