Forum Topic

Ealing Planning Application PP/2014/3259

land adjacent to 1-4 Goldsmiths Close, W3 7EZThe residents of Goldsmiths Close and Manor Farm Cottages have received notification that, after the purchase of the freehold by the Charterhouse Group, who were responsible for the conversion of the Almshouses, they have put in a planning application to build a block of 4 one bedroom flats on the piece of land facing East Churchfield Road.  We are objecting to this on the grounds that it will use a piece of ground that our landlords, the Pebody Housing Trust, have gone to great lenghts to plant and make attractive.  It will also involve the loss of three trees, all mature, there is no parking available, and the three houses that form Manor Farm cottages will lose their open view.  Also dismayed to find out that Ealing has known about this application since May, although letters have only just been sent to us.

Nina Battleday ● 4445d11 Comments

Sending letters out concerning planning applications during the summer holidays is a ploy by the planning department to ensure that no one responds - everyone of course will be on holiday.Object to this and get the date of response put back until after the summer holidays.

Dee Cook ● 4445d

It's worth noting this falls within the Acton Park conservation area (East Acton ward)http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/511/conservation_areas/1022/acton_conservation_areas/3

Ben Smith ● 4445d

It is worth writing to the Planning officer responsible and asking them to visit the site. They don't always do it but when they do, they find it easier to appreciate residents' concerns. Get as many of your neighbours to sign the letter as you can. Copy the letter to the Conservation officer so her report is included in the Application. You could usefully copy Hitesh Tailor also. He lives nearby.

Maire Lowe ● 4444d

Nina thank you for raising this first. I was about to post on the forum to see if we could rally some additional support to contest these plans. We live at manor farm cottages in Goldsmiths Close and are completely stunned by the proposal. Not only will the development of 4 flats on the beautiful garden space opposite our house have direct and hugely detrimental impact on us ( Completely loosing our incredible view of acton park and be overlooked )but most importantly  we could loose a thriving communal space that is beautifully maintained and has been enjoyed by all the community for years. These flats will add nothing to the community, they will be privately owned executive 1 bed flats. This is a vital green space that needs to be protected and would remove a valuable asset from Acton forever. Please help us protect the character of the neighbourhood from being robbed of its green spaces. Please take the time to voice your opposition to these plans by emailing planning@ealing.gov.uk referencing pp/2014/3259. Many thanks laura

Laura Hickman ● 4443d

If you want to contest the Planning application you will have to get as many of your neighbours as you can to WRITE individually to the designated Planning officer. This is more effective than using the on line system which does not provide receipts. Support from your councillors is counted separately so ask all three of them. You could help your neighbours by providing a template but the letters should be in their own words and signed. A petition will also count, not as much as individual letters but still helpful.

Maire Lowe ● 4443d

Marie We are doing all we can.  Our Residents Association is doing a letter objecting, we are preparing templates for residents to use,have either contacted or are in the process of contacting Councillors.  Hitesh Tailor has been to see us and has taken photos. We are all desperately worried and concerned at this unwanted and unnecessary development.

Nina Battleday ● 4443d

Fabulous Nina. Very good luck with your protest.

Maire Lowe ● 4442d

Are you part of goldsmiths resident association. Letters from community groups go to the top of the list so are more effective.

Sara Nathan ● 4442d

"We are objecting to this on the grounds that it will use a piece of ground that our landlords, the Pebody Housing Trust, have gone to great lenghts to plant and make attractive."But it's a piece of land that your landlords have apparently decided to sell.  It is basically a plot of spare land that has been maintained as a garden, but realistically it was entirely probable that it would be built on at some stage.Goldsmiths Close is well provided with communal open space, and has Acton Park nearby too.  The proposed development seems to fit in visually with the adjacent properties.Laura Hickman says that "these flats will add nothing to the community".  Why not?  What makes you think that the new residents will not contribute to your community?Maybe there are valid reasons to object to the plans, but I haven't seen any so far that would carry any weight with planning officers.

Richard Jennings ● 4440d

worrying to discover that some residents here didn't receive details of this application from Ealing Council.  Even more worrying when at least two of those who didn't receive it were some of those who would be most affected by the proposed development.

Nina Battleday ● 4436d

The residents should write without delay to the Planning Officer for the proposed development saying they have not been consulted. A copy of their letter could usefully go to the three councillors for the area, asking them if they have objected to the Development on behalf of the residents? I agree with Richard Jennings and with Sara Nathan.  The Residents Association should write, stating the their objections which should focus on the likely breach of planning regulations. Getting the Planning officer to visit the site will help enormously.

Maire Lowe ● 4436d