Forum Topic

Acton Town Hall and Swimming Baths Planning Applications

For information the planning applications for the redevelopment of Acton Town Hall and Swimming Baths have now been submitted. The reference numbers are:PP/2011/5230 - Construction of a three storey building comprising replacement swimming pool and learner pool with associated changing facilities, studio spaces, fitness suite, community facilities and reception hall located behind the retained Kings Rooms facade fronting High Street and attached to the Town Hall Extension. See here: http://bit.ly/yMI6aiPP/2011/5255 - Internal and external alterations to Acton Town Hall in association with the redevelopment of Acton Swimming Baths, Kings Rooms and Acton Town Hall. See here: http://bit.ly/ycnNcXPP/2011/5257 - Demolition of the Acton Baths building and substantial demolition of the Kings Rooms (retention of Acton Baths Chimney and the Kings Rooms facade facing High Street) to facilitate the construction of a three storey building comprising replacement swimming pool and learner pool with associated changing facilities, studio spaces, fitness suite, community facilities and reception hall located behind the retained Kings Rooms façade and attached to the Town Hall Extension. See here: http://bit.ly/y7Zp7mDetails of the proposal may be inspected in Perceval House or contact Maggie Perry on 020 8825 6600 for more information. RegardsHitesh TailorLabour Councillor for East Acton Cabinet Member for Housing | London Borough of Ealing

Hitesh Tailor ● 5362d17 Comments

Let's hope that should this all go ahead, that a Council Officer is on site in order to ensure that the 'listed' bits do not inadvertently get demolished!  It's happened before!

Dee Cook ● 5362d

I couldn't figure out what exactly the new building will look like.  Will it be the old bits surrounded with modern glass and metal or will they do the new build to match the listed bits? Is there a sort of artists impression of what the final building will look like?  Couldn't find one on the planning app but there are so many documents maybe I missed it.

Sarah Harris ● 5362d

Wasn't there going to be some kind of cafe as part of the swimming pool complex? Or have I missed this in the plans?One of the great things about the old pool was the natural light from the glass roof section, will the new one also have a glass roof part anyone know?

Rupert Picken ● 5362d

I'm confused about this.  I've tried to follow the planning but this is the first I've heard about the building being knocked down and rebuilt, rather than refurbished. What a shame, another local building bites the dust.What's wrong with Ealing Council?  They have no understanding about heritage and history.  They knock down a lovely looking building like the pool, but leave that ugly monstrous car park across the road standing proud.  No wonder people think they're all on the take!  Their decisions make no sense.Please somebody tell me I've misunderstood the plans and they don't intend to demolish the whole building (except for the chimney - what's the point in leaving that?! Won't it look ridiculous?).Is this plan what the residents fought for?

Sarah Harris ● 5361d

Re the daylight - yes. The exhibition I went to showed nothing over the main swimming pool so it should still get natural light from above.

Lorna Dodd ● 5360d

There was never a cafe in the plans that I recall - the theory being that as it is in central Acton, there is or could be plenty of provision really close by.Unless it has changed (again) much of the facade remains as it is listed as is the kings room and the chimney (wholly bizarrely) but the rest mostly goes.

Sara Nathan ● 5360d

Yes that's correct interpretation. A lot of residents fought against this but the council got what they wanted with little serious amendments to the original plans. Apparently we really need a brand new spanking gym as we don't have many and much less community space is a good thing. Sarcasm aside I think it was all about getting developer money & shafting community groups. The opposite car park is apparently privately owned.

Shao-Ying Ben-Nathan ● 5359d

The car park isn't privately owned but is an archeological site and would take forever to get any form of development permission.the good thing about having a large gym is that membership fees support all the other leisure facilities' costs and because they are therefore self financing, they are independent and more likely to survive and at a good level than if they are wholly dependent on the whim of a council under pressure. Although the effect of the wholly appalling betrayal of trust by the council of the Priory groups is a "shafting" of community groups, that absolutely wasnt the original plan - to which most of the groups signed up. It's outrageous how the priory groups have been treated - and by a Labour council too who should know and behave better. But that's politicians for you - even the ones who settle for being councillors.

Sara Nathan ● 5359d

Could the council compulsory purchase the car park? I heard they are threatening to do that to Ealing cinema partly to force them to rebuild it!Its very sad as a lot of these groups will leave Acton and not return. The only worry about the gym is that with so much choice; Virgin, park club, fitness first etc as well as the gyms in Ealing broadway, I'm not sure it will generate as much income as they envisage. I guess time will tell.

Shao-Ying Ben-Nathan ● 5359d

Along this line, I spotted in the Ealing Leader on the weekend that there is a "final information and consultation event" regarding Acton town centre plans being held on Wednesday from 7-9pm at St. Mary's Church, The Mount to discuss "the £500k planned of improvements" resulting from the Outer London Fund.www.ealing.gov.uk/transportandstreets for more info.

Kim Bobsin ● 5358d

I've got a copy of the new plans & drawing of exterior (available at last meeting of Town Hall Team). I'm sure LBE would provide a copy for ActonW3. Or will bring mine to anyone who can display it. King's Rooms frontage will remain and there will be natural rooflight over the large pool.To be honest, I'm heartbroken to see it go. Especially as there are now so few heritage buildings left in Acton. I've  taken a batch of photos before demolishers arrive.The Library will not be taking up their mezzanine option owing to shortage of staff. In view of the expected need for provision for more children/young people this seems like short-term planning as they are major users. Residents who used the pool/classes during the day are in difficulties as are Priory groups.We should give max. support to local community groups who are bravely organising a Grassroots Festival in June this year.

Nina Thomas ● 5358d

I thought the mezzanine option had gone cos it cost too much to build - nothing to do with staff shortages.

Sara Nathan ● 5358d

They are building a new baths as the old one was beyond practical & economical repair. The frontage remains as does the old Town Hall Building. We're stuck with the chimney as that got listed by English Heritage. The only good thing about that is that it probably stopped  earlier plans to sell off the whole site.

Pete Grist ● 5358d

I understood Library committee didn't go for it because current staff numbers couldn't cover. Seems Library staff are expecting even more cuts to come.But I daresay it's a cheaper option too so pleased all planners.

Nina Thomas ● 5357d

If this is listed, how come the planning app  (quoted a the beginning of this thread) says that only the facade is to be retained?

Vivienne Duggan ● 5357d

It is just the chimney that is listed. The library is on the first floor:"The library will have dedicated adult, children’s and teenage areas, together with a publicly accessible IT Suite, workroom and staff office accommodation. The library will be 470sq.m. Detailed layout and space planning of the library do not form part of this application."

Pete Grist ● 5357d

At last meeting I asked about the beautiful marble staircase in King's Rooms - there was some suggestion of moving it to the Library but this is uncertain.

Nina Thomas ● 5357d