I went along and the plans show two skyscrapers of 33 storeys. The designers, etc, were very nice and I didn't feel they were hiding anything nor unsympathetic. However, they are residential skyscrapers! What I was impressed with was the company, Essential Living, had paid around £200,000 for an EIA (environmental impact assessment) even though Ealing Council had said they didn't need one! They felt they did on a development of that size, so they have some integrity.I also liked the ethos - it's based on an American system whereby the flats and houses aren't for sale, they are rentable. Of course, alarm bells rang when I heard this as I was concerned that the mix of skyscraper and rented flats which might become sub-let, spelt trouble. However, the premises will be concierged. There will be reduced rents for key workers but the other rents are fairly high, but you seem to get what you pay for. There is much thought and planning gone into making a community and entertainment/activities, there are parking spaces but only for commercial units and disabled, although I think there are far too many parking spaces in total. What concerns me is the height - they are monsters and they're not offices, but families living there.If these go up, opposite the Carphone Warehouse, it won't be the end of it. There'll be crowded around with other skyscrapers left right and centre. High-rise has proven to be a terrible mix for depression, isolation and lack of community. What is Ealing Council doing? This must stop. Good idea by Essential Living but those heights need to come way, way down. We must reject highrise like this.
Angela White ● 3926d