Objectors say the scheme will result in the loss of over 150 trees
Protestors outside the planning meeting. Picture: Ealing Green Party
Ealing’s borough planning committee has approved an application for a major development at the historic Twyford Abbey site this Wednesday evening (19 October).
Clarion Housing had submitted designs for the construction of seven blocks containing 326 flats but this resulted in over 200 objections from local residents and environmental campaign groups. Local MP Rupa Huq also submitted an objection to the application.
Opponents of the scheme were unhappy that Metropolitan Open Land is to be built on and claimed that woodland areas would be destroyed and 150 trees lost.
There was a positive response from Peter Mason leader of Ealing Council after his fellow councillors voted in favour of the scheme. He tweeted, “Delighted that @EalingCouncil’s Planning Cttee have given the go ahead to the restoration of Twyford Abbey this evening. Long on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register, I hope that this latest plan can truly bring a much loved building back into use well into the future.”
He pointed out that the Ealing Civic Society is “supportive of its sympathetic restoration and consider its conversion to high quality residential apartments to be appropriate”.
Twyford Abbey. Picture: Ealing Green Party
The developer Clarion says that its scheme will open up the Twyford Abbey grounds to the public for the first time and will provide funding for the restoration of the Victorian building.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Athena Zissimos disagreed saying, “It is very disappointing that Councillors on the Planning Committee, could not see how upsetting the loss of Twyford Abbey and surrounding grounds were to the residents, despite not having access to the grounds, the residents valued them, they were important to them. The housing crises does not justify us building on every piece of green space available to us.
“We must not believe that there is nothing left that is sacred, that nothing is worth preserving, in the name of more housing, only 36% of which is affordable, and some access to some part of that closed off land. Ealing is in danger of becoming a borough with nothing but blocks of flats, and no soul, because we are ready to sweep away 1000 years of heritage, and more than 150 trees and seven acres of open land to build 325 flats.”
Rupa Huq’s objection to the scheme stated, “I am unconvinced that this proposal represents the best possible long-term, sustainable and sensitive solution for the future of the Twyford Abbey site that would safeguard the heritage and biodiversity of the site and provide real benefits to the Abbey’s neighbours. Along with local residents, I believe this application represents gross over-development of a sensitive site, which should be rejected.”
A planning officer responded to her claim about loss of biodiversity by saying that a report showed that the scheme would bring a net gain. The developers have committed to replanting the 157 trees that will be removed, plus there will be a financial contribution of £100,000 to plant more trees in the surrounding area.
A protest was held by the Ealing Green Party outside the Town Hall prior to the meeting and it tweeted ‘Participative democracy is dead!’ after the announcement of the decision. Many of its members were denied access to the public gallery with the council saying it was already full. There was a large attendance at the meeting because of other applications that were controversial were being considered including one on Steyne Road in Acton.
A statement from West Twyford Primary School read to councillors at the meeting said, “The education, health and safety of over 400 children is being put at risk. The exit road is just centimetres from the school gates is of serious concern as it poses an imminent and unacceptable danger to families on their way to and from school each day.
“West Twyford and its surrounding greenery provide a calm and safe haven for our children. Children will be playing and studying near exhaust fumes. Clean air and a safe learning environment should be a child’s basic right.”
The ‘genuinely affordable’ portion of the development is 36% which opponents are hopeful will be too low for the Mayor of London who still has to give approval to the scheme.
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October 20, 2022
