Forum Topic

Oaks approved by Pickles

Apparently the Secretary of State Eric Pickles has now added his approval for the Oaks development. Not that anyone will exactly be surprised. I don't think opponents of the development have anyone left to appeal to.

Phil Conran ● 4572d10 Comments

The Oaks was "railroaded" through, like SO many big developments in Ealing/Acton.Local Residents have NO voice, you're kidding yourselves if you think you do.The Planning Committee meeting this Weds 12th re the Hanson Cement Plant Planning Application will be another "interesting" Decision.

Rosco White ● 4572d

The Planning Committee meeting this Weds 12th re the Hanson Cement Plant Planning Application will be another "interesting" Decision.As Julian Bell stated. Labour are in favour of expansion.Unfortunately Kate will probably make sure it gets  approved.  Remember this.  In her surgery, she assured residents that she would oppose portacabins at Derwentwater, then on a tied vote, leants on someone to abstain ensuring the vote went through in favour of portacabins.  Also remember the Oaks, and the disgraceful behaviour of Kate when the Oaks was approved, against strong opposition and arguments. Don't trust her.  Let me point out Kate, your comments to me on Saturday were witnessed, and what you claim to have done Re: the police.  I wonder who would be prosecuted/investigated...not I.

Nikki Howard ● 4572d

The word "approved" in the headline is misleading. That suggests some sort of vote of confidence in the development. What the verdict actually states is that becasue the conservative government have put so much power back into the hands of the local council and developers through planning law changes..that they can't call it in. But there is something we can still do. And that is to use the one place where our voices are heard - the ballot box. You can remember that it was a Conservative government who made those planning changes nationally and vote appropriately there...BUT..in the local council elections this shameful episode is entirely due to the Labour block vote. Vote them out.

Charlie Mawer ● 4571d

You should stop threatening to shoot people and falsely accusing them of corruption.

Pete Grist ● 4571d

"The Oaks was "railroaded" through, like SO many big developments in Ealing/Acton."So you'll be marching against Pickles and Boris as well as Ealing Council then?  They've all been a party to this, as have MPs at Westminster (including Angie Bray) voting for relaxations of planning controls and supporting policies of putting 'growth' (development) ahead of environmental protections and localism.I realise that you only ever want to blame the council here, but you might occasionally lift your eyes up and look at who writes that actual planning laws and who for.

Thomas Barry ● 4571d

Boris didn't call it in either, did he?"becasue the conservative government have put so much power back into the hands of the local council and developers through planning law changes..that they can't call it in. "Pull the other one.  Anyone with a brain knows Pickles doesn't give a sh1t about localism except if it agrees with his agenda and obsessions:"In January, a parliamentary committee reported that DCLG had rushed through a pro-fracking planning reform without proper scrutiny and despite overwhelming public opposition. The change means individual homeowners will no longer be notified of a planning application to drill or frack under their house. DCLG had allowed only six weeks for public consultation, not the 12 weeks usually required for "new and contentious" policies, but received 155 responses opposing the change and just seven in favour."If Pickles can (and has) rejected at least two wind farm proposals against the advice of the planning inspector he has the power to stop the Oaks, and chose not to.  Yay! Vote Conservative!  Then Acton can be like Hammersmith, with its 35 storey skyscrapers, huge blocks of luxury flats everywhere and ludicrous urban motorway plans.

Thomas Barry ● 4571d

which you'll see is exactly what my -  i thought rather measured - point made. There are two ways to protest about this calumny. Nationally - where one can protest about policy in which case a vote for anything other than Conservative would appear to be a fair response... and locally, where the electorate has been completely failed by its Labour Councillors.

Charlie Mawer ● 4571d

Charlie's point seems to me to be absolutely right. The original, wholly flawed decision was made by Ealing Council's planning committee and it's jolly hard to forgive. After that, it was never likely that a not huge scheme like this would be overturned - however much we tried.Even more annoyingly, the council could leverage its ownership of the car park but there is no sign it is doing so.And, given the amount flat prices have increased in Acton Central recently, the developer's profit will be through the ceiling - but that won't help disgruntled local residents

Sara Nathan ● 4571d

very sad news that despite our vigorous and very well supported campaign, this hideous development seems to be getting the green light. Lets face it, both Labour (locally)and the Coalition (nationally)are to blame for this mess. A plague on all their houses!

Chris Hurley ● 4571d

'A plague on all their houses'  - totally agree Chris!

Tessa Wood ● 4569d