Forum Topic

The Oaks development...

...apparently ISN'T going to a planning meeting/decision in November.The developers are re-thinking. Today they showed people at the CCA social some revised ideas.These included moving the tower from Churchfield Road to the middle of the site and breaking up the cladding and having recessed not obtruding balconies.Plus Hoopers Mews looks a little less overlooked.But the scale is still large - some 140 residential units and the parking is still above ground with the supermarket in the basement (weird!) and the whole site still isn't being redeveloped because Fitness First have a long lease and want a HUGE payoff to quit. Or possibly won't quit whatever - No-one seemed quite certain.Still - no periscope or tower peering down Derwentwater and Nemoure Roads so that is progress.They hope to go to public consultation in December and planning committee in the New Year.There may be another big public meeting where they present their plans to the local community - if people want that.

Sara Nathan ● 5074d13 Comments

That sounds like good news, at least the developer has listened or the much maligned planning dept have leaned on them.........

Iain Muir ● 5074d

I think maybe the former...

Sara Nathan ● 5074d

Yes good news. I just don't undertand why it take so much effort for a developer who stated from the beginning that this is a community enhancing project to actually listen to the community on how best to implement it?

Rupert Picken ● 5074d

I heard that the application was withdrawn, which means planning officers were leaning towards recommending a refusal of the scheme.

Vlod Barchuk ● 5074d

And of course the regeneration officer has changed which might have made a difference too.

Sara Nathan ● 5073d

good news that the periscope is temporarily down, but lets redouble our efforts to make sure it is really thought through development that benefits the community!

Charlie Mawer ● 5073d

I still think the development is too much about too many flats and not enough about providing Acton with multiple, good quality, retail units.

N Roberts ● 5072d

retail units? do we need more multiple retail units? have you counted the boarded up and closed retail units (shops) that are in Churchfied road.another nail bar, an estate agents or maybe a hairdresser...

Jane Willingale ● 5067d

Yes. I believe the council's regeneration study said that Acton high street suffers from having only small retail units with poor access for deliveries, etc, making then unattractive to most chains.  That's why I said quality.I am well aware of the empty shops thank you. They're all quite small, so well suited to nail bars and bookies.

N Roberts ● 5066d

Brendon Walsh (the present Ealing Council Director of Property and Regeneration) has now moved on to Hounslow LBC to take up a new role as Director of Regeneration, Education and Environment.His current Ealing Council deputy, LUCY TAYLOR, is to take over from him as Director of Property and Regeneration.So - this is the lady who is advise/recommend to the Ealing Councillors which development should be taking place on the Oaks site.Perhaps she should be invited to any resident meetings which may about to take place which will be discussing the Oaks Development.It would be interesting to hear her views.

Dee Cook ● 5066d

Just found out that Fitness First in the High Street is shutting down as of 30 November.FF has been the main sticking point in extending The Oaks development to encompass the High Street as well as Churchfield Road (they demanded a ton of money to give up their lease and neither the developer nor the council would pay).Of course, this doesn't mean that FF is giving up their lease, but it does beg the question: what are they going to do with the premises - just hang on to them to the detriment of Acton?

Nancy Duin ● 5066d

In order to get more money from the developers?Seems a plan but I wonder if they will carry it off if it's generating no income

Sara Nathan ● 5063d

There must be a way of generating money by leaving premises unoccupied - Freshwaters has been doing that with Jeffries House (now covered with the fab huge oak picture) for decades!

Nancy Duin ● 5063d