The parliamentary candidate for Ealing North – James Murray – has added his support to the campaign to Stop the Towers. In a letter sent in response to one of our campaign organisers he laid out his strong opposition to the plans:
Dear Stop the Towers,
Thank you for getting in touch with me about the plans for two towers near West Ealing station.
In my opinion, the height of the towers is totally at odds with the local context and surroundings, and I believe the plans should be rejected by the council.
As you may know, these plans will also be referred to the Mayor of London for his views and for him to decide whether to let the council’s decision stand.
Before I put my name forward to be the Member of Parliament for Ealing North, I was the Deputy Mayor for Housing at City Hall. Although it was not my role to take decisions on planning applications, I met with City Hall planning officers to discuss these towers earlier in the summer after many local residents had been in touch with me about them.
I used this meeting to set out concerns about the height of these buildings given the surrounding area and local context, and to raise a further concern that the Manor Road proposals do not include any social rented housing. These issues will now be discussed with the Mayor when these plans are referred to City Hall.
If I am elected as your MP this December, I will continue to make sure both the council and City Hall know I believe these plans should be rejected.
Like many local people I have spoken to about these sites, I do not oppose the principle of development near the station. But it is crucial we make sure any new developments include social rented and other genuinely affordable homes, and that the heights of any new buildings take account of the local context.
I look forward to working with you in the future to make sure we get the right kind of development in Ealing North.
Best wishes
James
James Murray Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Ealing North james@jamesmurray.org
Promoted by Penny Jones on behalf of James Murray, both at Ruskin Hall, 16 Church Road, W3 8PP.