Petition to Stop Ealing's ' Tree Cull'

After University given permission for luxury housing development

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Part of Ealing Green Conservation Area - which had once been earmarked for community use - is to be turned into luxury housing by the University of West London (UWL).

UWL trees

Councillors had voted against the application to build two detached and six semi-detached houses at the junction of St Marys Road and The Park, in the universities Mandela site, but last month the Planning Inspectorate overturned it and granted UWL's appeal.

trees UWL

Scores of residents have objected with many angry that the scheme will involve chopping down 12 trees. Barrister Megan Thomas, appointed by the Inspectorate said:

'' The loss of twelve existing trees would be regrettable but on balance the proposed planting scheme would outweigh that loss. The streetscene would change but the prescence of new houses would not be excessively dominant.'

Lib Dem Councillor Jon Ball, who is on the planning committee said:

''The Mandela site with its mature trees provides a small but vital patch of nature in the heart of Ealing. It was earmarked for community use ever since it was first given to the University by the Council. Building luxury houses on it, which will do nothing to provide much-needed affordable housing, does little to benefit the community.

''I was proud that I convinced my fellow planning committee members to listen to local residents and reject this scheme, and am angry that the planning inspector has overridden our local decision. I hope that the University will think again at this late stage and I urge residents to sign the petition to their Board of Governors. ''

A UWL spokesperson said: "We are pleased that our appeal has been successful, and that the council has accepted the recommendation of its own planning officers that our application be approved."

A petition to 'stop the Ealing tree cull' has been set up and is calling on the UWL to halt the building plan - it has gathered over 250 signatures.

 

23rd June 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

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