An application to build a tower block at Manor Road West Ealing was refused permission at a virtual meeting of the Ealing Council planning committee on 28 October. The controversial proposal to build a 19 storey high tower in a predominantly low rise residential area met with huge opposition with over 2,600 objections being submitted, including from the Society. We also challenged some of the conclusions drawn by the planning officer in the committee report. Officers had recommended that the plan should be approved by the committee, and claimed it would not negatively impact the area. However, members of the Council’s planning committee voted down the plan to build ‘55 West’ by six votes to five. For more information see Ealing Today.
Acting Chairman of the Society, Ann Chapman, said “It is very unusual for the Planning Committee to go against the recommendation of a planning officer, particularly where a development would potentially offer such a large amount of so-called “affordable” housing. However, we are very pleased that the Committee for once took account of the wide-scale public resentment about the scheme and in particular the extent to which it would have completely overwhelmed the scale of the surrounding residential area and harmed nearby heritage assets The Drayton Arms and Royal Mail Sorting Office.”