Stop St Mark's Mews Campaign gains momentum

194 signatures obtained

A planning application has been lodged with Ealing planning department to build four flats on the garage area accessible between 75 and 77 St Marks Road. The site was formerly owned by Ealing Council.

Residents affected by the development in St Marks Road and St Dunstans Road have formed the Stop St Mark Mews Campaign to protest at the development on the grounds of breach of planning regulations, right to light, infringement of privacy, site access, over development and increased traffic.

The Stop St Marks Mews Campaign secured 194 signatures from local households in support of its opposition to the Stop St Marks Mews development (planning serial number P/2004/2736). The group went door to door in St Marks Road and St Dunstans Road, Hanwell and neighbouring roads in the area to secure support for the campaign. The petition has been supported with individual objection letters to the planning officer from residents directly affected by the proposed development.

With the deadline for objections to the planning officer now passed (26 July 2004), the focus of the campaign has now shifted to explore other potential avenues to stop the development. These include Restrictive Covenants Covenants contained in the title deeds for 71, 73, 75 and 77 St Marks Road prevent development behind each dwelling; each house backs onto the site of the proposed development. The Stop St Marks Mews Campaign is working with the Land Authority in Swansea to source the original title deeds for the site of the development to determine if the site is covered by a restricted covenant. Secondly, the group has written to the council estates office asking for an explanation of the process by which the garages were sold. The group maintains that the council informed none of the neighbouring residents in St Marks Road of the sale of the site and no notice of sale was posted on the roadside on St Marks Road. A decision is expected by 20 August over whether the St Marks Mews planning application will be referred to the planning committee.

August 8, 2004