Forum Topic

Convince me to vote for you

I reckon I'm one of many floating voters around Acton who will be positively swayed by the candidates for Parliament who come out PUBLICLY and declare their support for residents in their campaign to abolish the proposal (and probable planning application) from Catalyst Housing to erect 6, 8, 10, 14 and 20 storey towers on the Friary Park estate (possibly even 29 storeys, Catalyst tell us).  Catalyst propose taking our green as theirs, so they tick the box of green spaces and build a road right through the estate, causing a rat-run, whilst increasing the dwellings three-fold on the estate and thus the density.  This is a suburban area by definition and residential.We have had Angie Bray who wanted to meet with residents and did so and she gave her time to meet with Catalyst as well and gave us feedback on that too.  I'm very grateful for that and very impressed.  I would like a public declaration of support though.....the other candidates have been canvassing the area and say they're concerned for us, but let's just cut to the chase - who is going to nail their colours to the mast publicly?  Who will do so and also meet with the Council on our behalf?  I reckon many of us will vote with our feet if not.I voted both Tory and Labour when the Council elections came around - Vlod Barchuk deserved to be elected again as he's done so much for Acton Central, and I voted too for Daniel Crawford, who did get elected.  I would like to think my trust is warranted in those areas.

Angela White ● 4170d10 Comments

Thanks Sara, much appreciated.  Makes things simple then - our growing Friary Green Residents' Association members (whose membership now spans right down to Goldsmith Ave and hopefully creeping even further) will find it easier to target who to lobby and ultimately blame should we not be successful with the Friary Park redevelopment or, for that matter, WARA (West Acton residents' asociation) and their Premier Inn campaign/objection.  If Labour wish to retain their seats in Ealing Council next election, the Planning Committee better think long and hard about blighting Acton with skyscrapers.  Simples.

Angela White ● 4168d

It seems so on planning matters - I don't know how the other committees work... oh, Scrutiny Committee seemed much the same the only time I attended.

Sara Nathan ● 4168d

"Nor do councillors if not of the majority party (Jon was on the oaks planning committee - it made no difference)"  So let me make sure I've got this correct, Sara......the majority/ruling party of Ealing Council make the decisions and hold sway over all other Councillors?  Just to be sure I've got correct information, thank you.

Angela White ● 4169d

Aha! Chris - maybe you are the woman they need...my daughter wants to start a save Food For thought campaign - but needs like-minded people to join in.I know WHAT to do - just haven't the time or commitment for this one.

Sara Nathan ● 4169d

Thanks Chris.

Angela White ● 4169d

Food for Thought is a long established veggie restaurant in Covent Garden, which is closing due to high rent. I've been going there for years and can't quite believe its closing. Very cheap nutricious food.

Chris Hurley ● 4169d

Sorry Sara, what is the Save Food For Thought?  Is that Save the Children?  Good we're all different.  Someone once asked me what my Plan B was, on another project/passion.  I said "I don't do Plan Bs".

Angela White ● 4170d

I haven't lost my optimism. In these battles, some you win and some you lose - but it's best to be realistic.Still eating at Gaby's, three years after the successful campaign. But can't bring myself to launch the Save Food For Thought one. Too much like hard work. And always for an uncertain outcome.

Sara Nathan ● 4170d

I don't believe that, sorry - they are tied to a party so they have influence, otherwise it makes a mockery of the whole political system.  Sorry you've lost your optimism.  :-(  I'm not happy the Oaks was allowed either.  I hope people will vote with their feet.  I intend to on the Friary Park issue.So, the majority of Council is Labour then, obviously.  So, come on Councillors (Labour ones of course) and our Labour candidate for Parliament, Rupa Huq.  Let's hear your views on the Friary Park estate, on record.

Angela White ● 4170d

Angie, Jon & Rupa all made supportive noises about the Oaks. It made No difference - not least because MPs - least of all PPCs Have no power in planning decisions. Not do councillors if not of the majority party (Jon was on the oaks planning committee - it made no difference)Deciding Who you will vote for on the basis of some comment about the specifics of a planning application, doesn't make sense here. You have to go for whichever party has A better strategy. (Not that I know which that is)The Oaks was allowed by labour locally but then Eric Pickles and Boris!

Sara Nathan ● 4170d