A little more detail. I went to the Catalyst workshop last night, which focused on the proposed buildings themselves. I was greatly disturbed by their proposal. Daniel Crawford, Councillor for Acton Central, came along too. With an average of 9 residents/tenants on each of these workshops, I’m concerned that a true representation of residents hasn’t been had and surely this cannot qualify as a “consultation”. Here is a summary of the plan:650 new homes will be built (224 homes flattened), which increases the population, footfall and car/travel in the area by two-thirds.Catalyst plan several 2, 3 and 5 storey buildingsThree x 6 to 8 storey towersSix x 6 storey towersTwo x 10 storey towers Two x 14 storey towerOne x 20 storey tower The proposed plans are not in keeping with the area at all. The 10, 14 and 20 storey towers are unprecedented in Acton Central, south of the A40. If this gets built, the floodgates will open to other buildings in Acton Central. If we don’t stop Catalyst and Ealing from giving them the go ahead, we can welcome more of this dotted around Acton. East Acton next? Perryn Road? The 20 storey building is going to be a so-called "Landmark building”. However, the London Plan says it must fit in with the surrounding area, which these towers don’t. The Ealing Development Management Plan itself says that new buildings and including the landmark buildings should have a “positive visual impact on neighbouring development……… that is attractive, and that complements its character and value……..Development proposals should identify the positive aspects of the site and its surroundings from the outset, using existing evidence such as character appraisals……. All development must have regard for visual impact.”Moreover, Ealing Council’s targeted areas for redevelopment didn’t include Acton Central/Friary Park, but North Acton. This estate was never identified as an area for targeting as an space to increase the density and have towers built. Can our Councillors tell me why it wasn’t and why it now is? It’s clearly not the obvious place to build a landmark tower, or five.Catalyst say the “new homes are to be integrated into the area” but, however, the towers will, counteractively, cause alienation from the community due to their height. Catalyst plan to build a “new street”, which will link the junction with Friars Way & Friary Road right through to the top of Friary Road by Horn Lane, almost a cut through. Our concerns about this new road being formed are: Rat-running, especially with the increase in population in the areaThe planned junction on Friary Road will create danger as the road is too narrowThe increase of lorries who will park in or cut-through the estate – we already have a problem with lorries in Friary RoadCatalyst wish to take Friary green for their own which is a loss of amenity for us. Doing so will close one of the roads by the green, rendering the other road overloaded and not fit for purpose. All this and we still haven’t even begun to understand how we can supply more GPs, schools, A&E and other amenities for the dramatically increased population and traffic in the area.
Angela White ● 4191d