Public Inquiry into Ealing Town Centre Cancelled
After it's announced Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre owners buy site for £49 million
A second public inquiry examining controversial redevelopment plans for Ealing Town Centre - which was due to start on Monday - will not now be going ahead after the announcement of new developers for the site.
The original application from Benson Elliot (known as 9-42 The Broadway) was approved by Ealing's Planning Committee in February 2016 and met with a massive campaign of opposition due to the height and bulk of proposed buldings.
It would have been the second time proposals to re-develop this site have been called-in by the Government. In 2009 the then Secretary of State and a planning inspector found against a scheme proposed by then owners, Glenkerrin.
The Planning Inspector had been due to start an inquiry into the proposals but informed Save Ealing’s Centre (SEC) on Friday (5th May) that the application had been withdrawn and the inquiry had been cancelled.
Late on Friday Ealing Today received notification that British Land has bought the site (10-40 The Broadway in Ealing town centre) from Benson Elliot for £49 million.
Charles Maudsley, Head of Retail & Leisure for British Land, said:
“Ealing Broadway W5’s outperformance over the last four years gives us considerable confidence to add to our holdings. The assets provide near term income as well as future development opportunities that can be progressed when the time is right.
“The area benefits from excellent transport infrastructure and will be a Crossrail station from 2019. More broadly, Ealing is undergoing a transformative redevelopment including £1bn of new residential and commercial investment that continues to enhance its appeal.”
Marc Mogull, Managing Partner at Benson Elliot, commented, “Having taken stewardship of the important Arcadia portfolio some four years ago, we’ve delivered a successful first phase of development and identified the opportunity on the Broadway site to create a vibrant mixed use scheme adjacent to the new Crossrail station.
“British Land has already demonstrated a strong commitment to Ealing’s town centre and their thoughtful approach to high quality placemaking will serve the borough and its exciting future well.”
Since acquiring Ealing Broadway W5 in February 2013, British Land has refurbished and relet almost one third of the centre.
Save Ealing Centre raised thousands of pounds to pay for legal costs for the now cancelled public inquiry, Will French from the group said:
''My first thought is one of some anger really. We have invested a massive amount of time and effort in this and got people to stump up £30000 that we shall have to return. No doubt we will be seeking costs from the parties.''
6 May 2017
