Forum Topic

Planning application for 6 flats in quiet Edwardian Enclave

A group of developers are trying to turn a modest 5 bedroom family home into a block of 6 Flats.  The house is 1 Whitehall Gardens.  This is the second time the developers have attempted this, and previously the residents of the area rose up and made 50 objections.  Now the locals are once again doing this.  This is worrying because one of the lovely features of Acton is these lovely little Edwardian houses, which are now over 100 years old and have survived two world wars.So if you live in the area of either Whitehall Gardens, King Edwards or Hillcrest then please please object on the Ealing Council website ref https://pam.ealing.gov.uk/online-applications and in the section for reference, number, postcode etc put 165960FUL  And for those of you who live in Acton watch out for these developers, Centurion.

Nicky Defries ● 3427d17 Comments

All very true but what about destroying 100 year old houses why don't they convert and protect the existing structure and maybe limit how many flats in comparison with the size of the house, no one wants to object to more homes and if conversions had some limits in place I'm sure no one would be concerned or objecting.

Janice Evans ● 3415d

I've looked at the plans and the flats look as though they are going to be very large - much larger than average and therefore of pretty good quality. I work in the construction industry so am used to looking at plans and I wonder whether people who don't have this experience are sometimes more worried than they need to be.The house is already extremely large and looks as though it has previously been divided in to separate units. Yes this proposal does extend things further but the increase in scale is no so great as the posts would lead you to believe.I do detect that the default response on this site appears to be object at all costs to almost any development that is proposed and I wonder if that actually undermines the case when there are genuine concerns.With this development there may be some genuine concerns perhaps regarding overlooking or the scale of the development being overbearing - particularly for the Hillcrest Road gardens that back on to it - but that doesn't necessarily warrant a blanket call for rejection of the plans. We do need more homes and we particularly need smaller units than these houses in Whitehall Gardens, but all this talk about greedy developers doesn't make any sense as we all rely on people with those skills to provide the homes needed for ourselves and our children. They are businesses and do need to make a profit of course.Also flats in this quiet street will not ruin the neighbourhood and the peaceful enjoyment of it - this comes across a bit like those who live in smaller units are in some way a scourge on our neighbourhood - that is not the case.So comment by all means but let's not make it sound like we are all under attack every time a development is proposed.

Tony Bailey ● 3415d

Oh dear . Not only Whitehsll Gardens. Already a monstrous 6 bed development in Hillcrest Road . My two elderly  neighbours either side of it died in February and their hiuses will soon be up for grabs no doubt. Also I Wilcott Road round the corner from Hillcrest two house already been developed and now no. 26 Wilcott Road is having an enormous DEVELOPMENT  commencing. I have sent objections to all of these. But afraid it is fait accomplis. Councillor Johnson is going to do her best for me but says not really much can be done unless you can prove  invasion of privacy.

Beryl Bashford ● 3415d

Hi Nicky, it said my details and objection were accepted but no email as yet and cannot access it, I use apple iPad at this address, is there any way you can check for me.  Thanks.

Janice Evans ● 3420d

Yes Libby, that us why myself and a few neighbours are working so hard.  To date we have 27 objections.

Nicky Defries ● 3422d

Sometimes a developer will try this just to see how much the neighbours complain - especially about the density.  It is up to the neighbours to make sure that their voices are heard.

Philippa Bond ● 3422d

Libby  Sadiq Khan has just issued a draft policy on the regeneration of estates... re residents first and the protection of social housing...

Philippa Bond ● 3422d

Hi JaniceThank you.  You should get an email confirmation, and also your comments should show up straight away coinciding with your email confirmation.  The email confirmation is key.

Nicky Defries ● 3422d

Hi Nicky I mange to do this after a third attempt but my name has not shown on the list yet is this usual.

Janice Evans ● 3423d

Not quite true, some have been, some have been offered properties out of the area and even out of London and some are unable to afford the new rents. Not sure what has happened to those who had purchased their leases, were not given market prices for the compulsory purchase of their homes and could not afford to buy elsewhere.  Brent managed to rehouse all their tenants when they refurbished/rebuilt the South Kilburn Estate.

Libby Kemp ● 3423d

No Peter this is nothing to do with that. This a private developer going for overdevelopment in order to make a lot of money.  Pure greed.

Nicky Defries ● 3423d

,..and the social cleansing of the South Acton Estate leaving many settled Acton families homeless.'I thought the long term residents of the South Acton estate were being resettled within the redevelopment.

Peter Evans ● 3423d

Hi JaniceIf you look at the original post I put up it has all the details of how to go about it. Any problems let me know.And thank you Janice, this is really the case of the people making a statement.  We have 23 objections so far, but with 6 days left to object we know more neighbours will be objecting.

Nicky Defries ● 3423d

Would you email me the details please Nicky. Thanks.

Janice Evans ● 3423d

Janise I don't know where you live but maybe you could object to the proposal on the grounds of being a concerned member of the public.  If that is something you would consider I will give you details because the character of Acton's Edwardian enclaves needs to be preserved.  Please do not feel any pressure, just if you feel able and willing

Nicky Defries ● 3424d

Need reviews on preservation orders, Acton has some of the most beautiful buildings and houses.

Janice Evans ● 3424d

This is an appalling development, without even considering the parking problems, six flats from one family house? We have a desperate shortage of housing and in particular social housing at rents of c. £110.00 per week, but this development will not help this. It is pure greed on the part of the developer and will create future slum dwelling in an established community.  If it is argued on the case for more housing LBE needs to look at its own failure at the Gas Work site in Southall planning permission since 2008 for some 4,000 homes and not a brick laid and the social cleansing of the South Acton Estate leaving many settled Acton families homeless.

Libby Kemp ● 3425d