Forum Topic

Old Oak - A Vision for the future???

I see that the proposals include re-locating recycling facilities to other unspecified locations within Park Royal, leaving polluted ground for building new homes, also taking a sizeable chunk out of the northern edge of Wormwood Scrubs for new housing and a new London Overground railway track plus station.

Chris Bell ● 4825d10 Comments

They'll rip most of it up only to run out of money like they always do. Just look what happened when they planned on widening the A40 - it never happened and people's homes plus the local bingo etc was pulled down for nothing.Oh, and what happened with that huge business centre they had planned where the Guiness brewery used to be?

David Wright ● 4824d

They did not run out of money, it was a political decision with a change to the Labour party (they threw our money into the desert instead).The huge business centre turned into an empty office building, although it looks as if preparations are being made for more building work in the area.

Chris Bell ● 4824d

How can they use any of Wormwood Scrubs it does not belong to the council or the goverment, it is trust land given to the people and I don't remember anyone asking us if they can use it to build houses or accomodate HS2 which we don't want anyway. ????

Diana Oneill ● 4823d

How can they use any of Wormwood Scrubs it does not belong to the council or the goverment, it is trust land given to the people and I don't remember anyone asking us if they can use it to build houses or accomodate HS2 which we don't want anyway. ????

Diana Oneill ● 4823d

I am glad to hear the scrubs are in trust. The idea that it could be amputated or ruined by landscaping horrifies me. It is a stunning piece of wild(ish)countryside in the heart of London. It is also a home for rare birds and a pit stop for migrating birds. It would be a big loss for west London.Where do we sign the petition?

Kim Rugg ● 4823d

The sketches are not to scale, so it is difficult to figure out how much the building work will be on to ground presently occupied by Chunnel train maintenance or the Scrubs, but the additional London Overground track and station definitely runs along the northern edge of the Scrubs, with an unusually large curve towards the western end, probably because they want to build high-rise blocks right to the edge as far as possible.Before anyone says that it is not possible to incorporate tracks into the main area, the underground runs straight through the Barbican between the tower blocks, the concert hall, and the lake, DLR travels through Docklands at high level, and the Chunnel trains enter St Pancras at high level. But it does need someone capable helping the normal planners.

Chris Bell ● 4823d

Hi Chris, its not exactly to scale but I think you get a pretty good idea of just how much of the Scrub’s will be lost. I don't think it's the absolute space that's as important as the habitat of that area which is dense foliage and I would have thought important to local wildlife.Personally, I'm generally in favour of this project, if only for the increased investment, jobs and housing etc it will bring to a much needed area.The important things to me are EXACTLY how much of the natural wildlife rich area will be lost and are there assurances that other parts of the Scrub’s will be planted to compensate?In the official info they provide they say that "the unique character of the spaces would be retained, particularly for wildlife and recreational use."I received a fancy glossy flyer through the post a few days ago. It was visually very nice, but I felt there was a little too much "We could" and "there is potential to" in there rather than concrete proposals.The full document is available for all to see and digest at:www.london.gov.uk/oldoakRegards, Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 4823d

11,000 new homes no new schools primary or secondary in the area, no new doctors, 4 of our local A&E departments waiting to be closed, so much developement in the Acton/ East acton are just ripe for more buy to let landlords making a fortune so the only bit of common land we have to enjoy would be destroyed in the false name of progress. I don't think so, I am totally opposed to any development that would take any of the Scrubs, the goverment don't even own the land that the prison is on, that is a leasehold prison. When will it stop.

Diana Oneill ● 4822d

Maybe Boris should check out the Wormwood scrubs act 1879 which clearly states that nothing more than rifle butt stands can be built on wormwood scrubs, that is apart from the nesting Pipin bats, the rare lizrds and butterflys on the scrubs which are all protected. So once agin I think our mayor is talking out of the top of his head as I for one would oppose any building on the scrubs, even if I had to camp out on it.

Diana Oneill ● 4822d

My sister has been telling me about the wildlife, even including rabbits, that were displaced to build the banking that carries the Chunnel servicing area. It is within the fenced off area, so is probably taken as available, although some may be still used by wildlife.

Chris Bell ● 4821d