Planning & Development

These characterless buildings are part of the recent regeneration plan

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Introduction

This is one of our core areas of work. All too often we are faced with development proposals that are wholly out of proportion to, or not sympathetic with, the area they are in. This results in us having to object, which can a time consuming process focusing on planning issues. We understand how to do this - whether the proposal is for one property or a whole area.

As an example, the picture to the right shows some of the buildings currently proposed for the town centre, replacing the shops and other buildings on the 'Arcadia Site', 9-42 The Broadway. This site was the subject of a "Call In" and Planning Inspectorate's Hearing a few years ago (ref: the Glenkerrin plan that included a 42 storey block of flats). These new proposals have resulted in another "Call In" - owing to the wall of opposition - and this will result in another Hearing in May 2017. We understand this to be the first time that the same site has been "called in" twice.

Ealing is going through a period of Renewal and Regeneration - but this does not mean tearing the heart out of our town centre and replacing it with faceless boxlike buildings as many developers wish to impose on us. We are not wanting "to Set Ealing and Walpole in Aspic", as is often claimed by self-interested developers, but we need to avoid flushing the baby out with the bathwater.

Ealing and Walpole have some special buildings (surrounded by some terrible ones). It is important to preserve our heritage appropriately.

Current or Recent Applications under Consideration

Thankfully, most are on a smaller scale relating to single properties. They are set out below usually with their Ealing Planning System reference numbers. The system can be accessed by clicking on this link.

Members are welcome to add their own particular comments to our postings on the applications that we have hightlighted below; this helps us to judge the strength of any local feeling within our membership. Comments will tend to fall into two categories "planning issues" (eg size, architectural harmony, density, amenity space, overshadowing etc) and "environmental issues" (eg on-street parking, construction impact, creation of additional rental units etc). The former tend to have more weight when the Planning Department consider the merit of an application; the latter tend to have no weight - except in a Controlled Parking Zone for example - but can be a major concern to existing residents. So please consider how to frame any comments to have the maximum impact. If in doubt feel free to contact us at planning@walpoleresidents.org.

  • Posted By: Patrick Chapman
  • Comments: 0

250344FUL - Lammas Park East Lodge - another inappropriate development application

A planning application has been submitted to demolish the historic East Lodge in Lammas Park and build a six-storey block of flats in its place.

WRA considers this application to be totally out of place, fundamentally wrong and misleading. This is indicative of the lack of respect that some property developers have for our historic environment. WRA considers this is about profit in the name of meeting housing demands and targets.

Read on for brief details of the proposal, community response and how to object.

 

The Lodge

East Lodge was constructed in 1893 as an entrance lodge to Lammas Park next to public entrance gates. It is an attractive, human scale building that exhibits a number of typical late-nineteenth century architectural details.

For over one hundred years, the house was owned by the Council and used as park keeper's accommodation. More recently, it was owned by a housing association and occupied until 2022. It appears that it has very recently been sold by the housing association to a property developer.

The Application

The scheme proposes the ‘Construction of part four, part five, & part six storey building comprising of six flats (1x 4-bedroom, 3x 3-bedroom & 2x 2-bedroom) with associated amenity space; refuse and cycle storage (following demolition of existing dwelling).’

Community response

The proposal has attracted massive public objection. WRA supports this objection and believes that the proposal is completely unacceptable on a number of grounds.

How to Object

To add your objection to this proposal, go to the Council's planning website and 'make a comment'. Other submitted comments can suggest wording, but it is important to remember that objections must be made on planning grounds not just a dislike of the proposal - or of the Council - or of the drainage works in the park.

Key points that can be included:

  • Over-development of a small site
  • Overbearing bulk and massing of the proposed building that would dominate the traditional two-storey housing in the location
  • Inappropriate design and materials that are completely out-of-keeping with its Edwardian and Victorian surroundings
  • Harm to nearby listed buildings including Grade II* St Mary's Church, Grade II numbers 1 and 15 Church Lane and locally listed numbers 17 and 19 Church Lane
  • East Lodge has been accepted for inclusion in the extended Ealing Green Conservation Area
  • The location is not designated in the new Local Plan as suitable for a tall building
  • Inappropriate and unprecedented private development within a public park; the site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land; the existing modest development does not justify the proposed over-development

Will this ...

The Lodge now - from application

... be replaced by this?

The proposal - from application

 
Planning & Development

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