Council Opts Not To Contest John Lewis Planning Appeal
Opponents of West Ealing scheme describe move as unprecedented
Visualisation of the scheme looking along Alexandria Road. Picture: Sechi Smith
September 16, 2024
Ealing Council’s planning department has informed interested parties, including local residents’ groups, that it will not be contesting John Lewis Partnership’s (JLP) appeal over its plan to develop its Waitrose site in West Ealing.
This July JLP made the appeal to the Planning Inspectorate over the ‘non-determination’ of its application (233076FUL) which was submitted over a year ago.
Ealing Council reacted angrily to the move, which effectively puts the decision in the hands of the Secretary of State for Housing, implying that it was JLP that had delayed the process.
The scheme would see the demolition of the existing Waitrose store and the construction of a group of four tower blocks up to 20 storeys high in what had previously been a neighbourhood predominantly made up of low-rise housing.
The application received 736 objections from residents and local community groups. The Leader of Ealing Council, Peter Mason, also made clear his objections to the proposals.
An array of reasons were given for making objections including that the application disregards guidance for the respective sites as laid out in Ealing Council’s Local Plan, which states that they are only suitable for buildings up to a maximum of 13 storeys.
Only 19% of the units in the scheme would be classed as affordable versus the London Plan recommended minimum of 35% and none of the flats would be offered at a social rent.
The development is close to two additional residential tower block developments under construction on Manor Road (application number: 202231FUL, comprising 144 flats in 18 and 12 storey towers) and Hastings Road (application number: 233551FUL, comprising 448 student flats in 21, 13, 9 and 7 storey towers). Opponents claim this represents an over dense development of the area which will cause issue with local transport infrastructure.
Developer's drawing showing the scale of the towers in context. Picture: Sechi Smith
Stop The Towers (STT), a group which is campaigning against the scheme, has been critical of the council’s failure to decide on the scheme given the strength of local opposition and has further criticised the latest decision to opt out of the planning process.
The Planning Inspector’s ‘non-determination’ inquiry will last three weeks start on 19 November and STT has described the council’s decision not to participate as unprecedented.
STT has gained Rule 6 status which will enable it to speak at the inquiry despite the council’s absence.
Justine Sullivan and Denise Colliver, Co-Chairs of Stop the Towers (STT) said, "We believe that Ealing Council’s refusal to participate in the statutory planning process is possibly unique in the history of planning in London.
“The failure of Ealing’s planning authority to rule on the Waitrose application or even to appear at the inquiry is nothing short of a bitter betrayal of the West Ealing community which has so vehemently opposed this disproportionate and detrimental development.”
Visualisation of the scheme submitted with the application. Picture: Sechi Smith& LDS
In response to the original submission of the JLP planning application last year, STT issued an open letter to Ealing Council.
A spokesperson for the council said, “We firmly believe that all new housing schemes should deliver 35 per cent affordable housing as a minimum. Given the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework we no longer believe it is in the best interests of our taxpayers to pursue a lengthy and costly legal battle with uncertain outcomes. We will therefore await the Planning Inspectorate’s decision on the scheme.
“We are committed to delivering 4,000 genuinely affordable homes by 2026. As a positively pro-growth borough we will always work proactively to deliver schemes that offer the best outcomes for all – high quality homes, in the right places to suit all life stages, that are genuinely affordable, and supported by essential infrastructure, amenity and green open space."
If the appeal is successful, JLP believes work could start on the site next year with a completion of the project in 2029.
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