Forum Topic

The CrossRail effect & the changing look & feel of Acton Central

Should more people be alarmed at the rate of planning applications going in from property owners to convert their semis/homes into multiple flats and even applications to build 2 extra "dwelling units" in their garden?  This seems to be mainly in Acton Central.  CrossRail effect?  I am very concerned that these applications will change the look and feel of the area irrevocably.  We have refuse, fly-tipping and parking issues already in the area without cramming more flats and homes into our overcrowded streets already.  The refuse contractor doesn't seem to be able to cope with the existing amount of refuse, recycling and litterpicking without the increased density.  What with the proposal for Friary Park to be demolished and vastly increased in its housing capacity, these additional planning applications will change the look and feel of Acton Central for the worse (especially around the Friary Park area).

Angela White ● 4251d11 Comments

Nope, its called London. Its not that densely populated for 1 and for 2, I hope it does change Acton, hardly paradise now is it. Im sure the few shops and bars we have left  would appreciate the extra trade.

Antony OBrien ● 4246d

Definitely the Crossrail effect plus the general increased demand for housing. The original tower blocks near North Acton station (Victoria Heights) had some architectural merit with their curved sides but everything else built has been functional, ugly and probably cheap (62 Horn Lane, next to the dentists, is a good example). A planning application (reference P/2015/0095) has just been filed with Ealing Council to construct 8 tower blocks, including 3 skyscrapers (26,28,32 storeys) at the Carphone Warehouse site in North Acton. Look forward to being told what a success such developments were in the 60s or will we be assured that it'll all be different this time?

Vlod Barchuk ● 4246d

Sounds horrid, Vlod.  Haven't they learnt that high rise just doesn't work.

Angela White ● 4246d

The odd thing is that people live happily in luxury skyscrapers in the centre of London/Paris/New York/etc so it's not the height of the building itself that's the problem.

Susan Kelly ● 4246d

My bet is that in 20 years time  Acton will feel much more like Paddington or other parts of central London.It'll be a mix of quiet residential streets surrounded on all sides by high-rise tower blocks full of "luxury" flats. Central London is spreading in our direction - something incidentally a new HS2 "Waterloo" station at Old Oak Common is only likely to accelerate.And  once you build one 20 storey block, you set a precedent, and the next time a developer wants to build another it's a bit easier.

Richard Grange ● 4246d

It's true: people very happily and comfortably live in high-rises across the world. Why can't we seem to get it right? I would also like the 'look and feel' of Acton to change. We see the very beginnings of yuppification/gentrification happening on Churchfield Road. I much prefer dining out within walking distance of home - it would be great to have a few more options. The new Japanese on Churchfield has been a nice start to this.

Malcolm Pacey ● 4218d

Its never been about the height or to a degree the beauty of a building that dictates its success (see Barbican). Its using good quality materials and the council realising that completion of the building is just the start not the end of its responsibility. Good management of a building makes it a pleasant place to live

Antony OBrien ● 4218d

I agree with every word of that.

Richard Grange ● 4218d

Let's be honest, it has nothing to do with the hight of the building, council high-rises generally have been pretty miserable places to live in but expensive private high rises have always been desirable.

Kevin Bell ● 4218d

I got caught up in traffic by Tottenham Court Road recently and had time to look into the building work that was going on there. It is worth seeing if only to give an idea of the scale of the project.Crossrail will bring greater population density to the Acton area and more high towers but, at the moment these seem to be either north of the A40 or directly south of railway lines so not necessarily taking the natural light of anybody's home.The benefits to the area are likely to substantially outweigh the presence of a few extra tall buildings particularly in terms of communications. I haven't had a chance to look at the Old Oak proposals yet but the area will be dramatically transformed over the next two decades, largely for the better.

Andrew OSullivan ● 4210d

Andrew, IF a tower is allowed in the residential area of Friary Green, Acton Central, or anywhere else in residential Acton, the floodgates will open.  I take it you don't live near this proposed tower!  It will be in the back garden for many of us, robbing us of privacy, for a start.  The area cannot cope with the increased density.  It is plain greed on the part of Catalyst - don't ever be fooled that it's anything else.We have a newly forming residents' association - the Friary Green Residents' Association - and we intend to fight this monstrosity all the way.  And for those who've been saying high rise isn't a problem if the postcode is ok.......well, this is W3 and we aren't going to be paying millions for the location of a high rise flat overlooking Horn Lane, W3 back gardens or the A40.  Let's get real.

Angela White ● 4210d