Controversial Dickens Yard Development Given Green Light

Work expected to start in March 2010

The agreement giving full planning permission for Dickens Yard in Ealing has been signed this week meaning work can get started on the controversial redevelopment.

The decision by the council’s planning committee was supported by the Mayor of London.

It enables developers St George to go ahead with the project to create 698 homes, 22 upmarket shops, and a new community hall and Town Square.

Councillor David Millican, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport said:

“This marks a crucial step in our regeneration not just of Ealing, but of the whole of the borough. Given the current economic climate it demonstrates Ealing’s strength as a location. Dickens Yard will play a major role in our area’s future success, creating homes and jobs, improving shopping facilities and boosting our local economy.”

The planned development has been criticised as being both out of place and out of scale and opponents have suggested it will make Ealing similar to Croydon.

Scaffolding is now being erected to allow demolition of the old Town Hall Annex and clearance of the site to start.

The Dickens Yard car park will remain open during demolition and the Council’s Perceval House car park will be open for public use in evenings and weekends from the beginning of December.

Groundwork on the new development is expected to start in March 2010.

The council is still awaiting the Secretary of State’s decision about the proposed Arcadia development to the town centre following the call-in of the application and public inquiry earlier this year.

November 25th 2009