Spoke with Chris Patterson of Catalyst at the consultation, plus an architect, and gleaned this:Density- Currently approx 290-300, many vulnerable people.- Just above 100% uplift so about 650 units- 50% social housing, 50% private- The main tower will be 100% private housing- 1 car parking space for every 3 units/3 parking spaces for every 10 units- I was told the current units were badly insulated and often 1 beds so weren't up to par with current standards. I suggested with the issues around Spare Room Subsidy, 1 beds should be in demand and received no real response I can report back onEvidence Base- I asked if they would release their evidence base - stats on how the residents felt re. the housing, demographics of the estate, how many vulnerable residents etc. They said that they would try and get me something Transition- I asked about where the vulnerable people would go, and was told some may stay, some may go elsewhere, based on the central points-based Housing app- Usually, if the residents are expected to stay in situ, they are all moved into the a building whilst the development takes place around them. If this was the case the people from Phase 1 would be moved to Phase 4, where the buildings are not currently at full capacity. I was told that was possible, but unconfirmable (sorry, not a word, I know!)- I mentioned that moving vulnerable people away from familiar surroundings and habits could (will) impact their psychological health and recovery. I was told things were complicated by a priority list of housing that the Council runs, and therefore it is in the Council's hands.- I asked if there will be 'voluntary redundancy', as it were, so people who want to move (apparently lots are unhappy) can be moved first and received no real response I can report back on Tower Height- When I suggested the tower clearly has contingency built in and asked what number of stories they where actually planning for, they wouldn't give me an explicit answer, but Chris Patterson also didn't challenge my assumption and said there will come a point when the site won't become viable in terms of return of investment- I was told the towers alongside the 20 story tower are 14, 13, 12 and 10 stories. My gut feeling is the 20 story one is not just so, for example, a 16 story goes through on the basis of 'concessions to consultations', but also to take the focus of the debate- The precedent they are citing are the towers in North Acton, which has very little low-rise housings, presumably this will set a precedent then for towers along Horn Lane south of the Crossrail Station- When I pointed out the 20 story tower in the illustrations were actually 22 story, the top two to house the vents and lift mechanisms, I was assured the tower would be 20 all in and the illustration was a mistake- I was told the height has been stepped down to ensure the surround residential streets to the south take the least amount of impactHeritage- I questioned the poor quality of design (very flat and untextured frontage) of most developments, and the architect seemed to engage quite well with this- The site was a Walls Ice Cream factory previously, and there are thoughts of using that heritage to bring character to the development. Another architect there to answer questions suggested creating a factory style roof on the tower, to which I said - quite obviously I thought - that at 20 stories no one would be able to see it- I was told that before Walls the site was an orchard and that they are thinking of using that to guide their planning and planting Open Space- The open spaces are gardens in the crescent towards the residential street and about (if I'm not mistaken) 8 gardens in the centre perhaps private, perhaps shared, perhaps communal.- There is a grassy triangle to the North of the site which exists now, they mentioned they might section off a sympathetic triangular piece facing the current one and ask the Council to close the small slip road which would be in between so the development has a square park, with kids climbing frames etc. Not ideal next to a road coming off the A40, but let's see.- I suggested allotments so the residents can grow their own veg (gardening would also really help in any rehabilitation programs) we discussed that they do so on the roofs, so that whatever green space there is on the ground floor stays open and usable. The architect seemed to like that.Green Tech- I didn't see any solar panels etc. and asked for their plans re sustainability and clean technologies etc. I was told this would be decided and put into the application- They did mention they were looking at a system the Germans use which is essentially a centrally controlled climate. I pointed out people needed to have windows that can be opened at will for fresh air, and they said this climate control system worked better if the climate could be completely controlled.Public Meeting- I asked if they would come to a meeting. I was told they didn't feel a top table and cinema style seating was a good way for them to gather their feedback. I did say it wasn't about feedback, but questions answered and they said they'd think about Their parting message was that the details will be decided upon at the point of application and that they will be staying on to manage the development so have an interest in making sure residents are well consulted and as happy as possible.Hope this helps! Please do join CANForum, the local neighbourhood planning forum for Acton, simply and for free here: surveymonkey.com/s/PNJF7MT Follow us to Twitter here @CentralActon You can contact me here: chair@canforum.orgThanks v much,Sanya
Sanya Sheikh ● 4295d