Stop The Towers

Despite the massive setback in the last few days, Stop The Towers is continuing the campaign against the increasing number of huge tower blocks being built around West Ealing station.

But the work is getting harder as Ealing councillors seem determined to consign their Local Plan - which thousands of local people have been working on - to the bin before its even properly published.

Despite the Local Plan saying that the tallest building on the Majestic site should be 13 storeys or 45.5 metres, councillors approved a building which is 55 metres high and is about 19 storeys when you take account of a mezzanine floor, roof garden and heating plant on top! What is the point of a Local Plan! About 1500 people objected to the development. They were all ignored.

Work has now started on the massive tower block planned for the Manor Road site. That development (22 and 13 storeys) was rejected by Ealing’s planning committee after 2,700 local residents objected but finally agreed after an appeal to the planning inspector.

Now huge pieces of construction equipment and hundreds of heavy lorries have been arriving - all with no clear, safe, pedestrian routes for this busy area right by an Elizabeth line station. People are having to walk in the road to dodge the construction traffic. Stop The Towers has complained to the council who say there has been a breach of the Construction Management Plan.

And across the road on the Waitrose site, John Lewis are still considering whether to go ahead with a complex of rented flats in four tower blocks over a new Waitrose store that will reach heights of 20, 18, 16 and 11 storeys.

Stop The Towers is not against sensible, sustainable development for local people which is desperately needed in the area. These developments don't match these criteria.

The effect of these two developments plus the Manor Road tower and the work that has been continuing in Gordon Road on the old BT site means that between two and three thousand extra people will soon be living in our small corner of West Ealing.

Imagine the strain on doctors, parks, schools etc. Even the local tennis club is not taking any more members as it is full!

Even more reason to Stop The Towers!

More information can be found at https://stopthetowers.info/