Councillor Andrew Steed Angry About Virtual Planning Decision

Believes Ealing Council has reneged on pledge to defer controversial applications

Southfield ward's Liberal Democrat councillors. Andrew Steed in centre.

The first 'virtual' Planning Committee of Ealing Council took place on 20 May. It was a packed agenda, with the meeting lasting over four hours.

Of particular interest for Southfield was the decision on the Greenend Road / Cobbold Mews site (193680FUL) where the application proposed to build 42 flats on a car park on the border of Acton and Chiswick. In 2009 a similar application was rejected.

The 2020 application contained many of the same problems: only 35% affordable housing as opposed to the Ealing Council policy of 50%. A shortfall of some 60% amenity space and the character of the four blocks of flats. For local residents, the most pressing concern was the issue of privacy: the north-east side of the site overlooks Acton sewage Works, so all the flats had a south-west aspect. The result was that 90 windows plus 27 balconies would be overlooking Greenend Road, Hawkshead Road and Worcester Drive.

Liberal Democrats say that residents were told that controversial applications like this one would have been delayed until face to face planning meetings could take place. Site visits did not take place due to changes in process due to the Coronavirus which meant that some planning committee members would not have seen the impact of the development on residents living near to the car park. Sadly, after discussing the proposal for a mere 45 minutes, the committee agreed to the application.

Car park set to be redeveloped

I worked with Don Tanswell, the Chair of the local residents’ association and spoke at the virtual planning committee meeting. I felt there was sufficient cause for the plans to be rejected or to be deferred as there was much that was unclear, with numerous reports outstanding. In addition, various pieces of information requested under Freedom of Information legislation was not forthcoming. Clearly, we are all very disappointed.

Southfield Liberal Democrat Councillors are also angry: we were originally informed that those applications decided during lockdown would be non-controversial and straight forward. With 270 objections and complications over an underground car park, this was neither. Added to the issue of information being withheld, inaccurate information, poor consultation and no site visits, residents will think the worse. The reputation of Ealing Council will have suffered.

Councillor Andrew Steed
Southfield ward Councillor

May 23, 2020