Tensions are getting very high over this development. The plans reveal that it's about homes, not about Waitrose. For obvious reasons.Is a newly built, empty supermarket store unit not just that. It's just a matter of the sign they put over the door. Waitrose could have opened a store where Sainsburys Local is, but they didn't. Sainsburys Local could have opened on Acton High street, but they didn't. Conflicting arguments too. Desire for an extra supermarket, but not for extra traffic on Churchfield Road.The less new apartments, the less new customers shopping in The Oaks.Acton High street and The Oaks are simply a reflection of how Acton prefers to shop.Many on the forum have mentioned they prefer to shop in Sainsbury's Chiswick, Sainsbury's Local, Tesco, and Asda, with little mention of the High Street (or The Oaks). It appears, Morrisons can survive quite happily, without stocking the items they're asking for. No doubt, not enough people asking, making those items less profitable to stock.Would Waitrose open a store with a Morrisons a stones throw to the west, and Sainsburys a stones throw to the east. Waitrose opened in Westfield. I'm sure they know what they're doing.I'm puzzled by all this "gated community" stuff.Apartments with secure parking access. Nothing unusual about that.Apartments with an intercom system for access. Many Local Authority blocks include that feature as well.A "gated community" of luxury apartments above the Oaks would be begging for a Waitrose. After all, they'd have limited access to the outside world.
Fred Bray ● 4707d