Ealing Council Submits Final Draft of Local Plan
Will shape development in the borough over the next fifteen years
An aerial view of Ealing
November 27, 2024
Ealing Council has formally submitted the final draft of its Local Plan to national planning inspectors for approval.
The document, which will shape development in the borough over the next fifteen years, was draw up after three years of public consultation in which residents, community groups, and businesses were asked for their views.
Over 6,000 people commented on the draft plan earlier this year with concerns that the redesignation of Green Belt and Metropolitan Open Land would mean that open spaces would be built on. The council backtracked on these proposals in a later version of the plan following the negative response including criticism from the Mayor of London.
The Local Plan covers a wide range of things, including planning decisions on homes, infrastructure, tackling climate change, increasing the number and range of jobs on offer, and how to address health issues and inequalities in the borough.
It also sets out which heritage assets, green spaces, canals and shopping areas need to be protected.
How the borough expects to deal with the shortfall of genuinely affordable homes and meet the Mayor of London’s overall 10-year housing target set out in the London Plan is also covered.
The council’s target of becoming become carbon neutral by 2030 has meant that there have been increases in standards of sustainable design and construction for developers, as well as a requirement to adopt low and zero-carbon technologies, and increasing the number of electric vehicle charging points across the borough.
Council leader Peter Mason said, “We want the borough’s growth to be inclusive, ensuring that everyone in our 7 towns can benefit from it. Our vision prioritises access to genuinely affordable homes, good jobs, and thriving communities filled with identity and pride. The Local Plan is our roadmap to achieving this vision, paving the way toward a fairer, sustainable, and more prosperous future for the borough.
“The plan reflects our commitment to tackling the climate crisis, taking decisive action to protect the borough’s future while continuing to deliver the good growth that we need. We are determined to stay ahead in this ever-evolving landscape.”
Councillor Shital Manro, the council’s cabinet member for good growth and new homes, added, “Our borough is rich in heritage and culture, with outstanding parks and green spaces and attractive neighbourhoods. The plan not only protects and celebrates that legacy but also ensures future development will create opportunities for every resident and every community to thrive.
“With land increasingly scarce and expensive across the borough, we know that we must make best use of the space here and ensure good design in any new developments. Doing that will ensure that we can retain our borough’s rightful place as one of the best places to live in the country.”
The plan will now undergo an independent assessment by the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which will also examine supporting evidence provided by the council.
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