Nile Lodge Consultation Ends on Christmas Eve

Residents fear fait accompli after unauthorised demolition

The demolition left just the facade of the original building. Picture: Pitshanger Community Association

December 18, 2025

The deadline for public comments on the Nile Lodge redevelopment has been extended to Christmas Eve, giving residents more time to respond to Luxgrove’s retrospective planning application. The council made the move following requests from residents.

The controversy surrounding Nile Lodge continues to stir anger in Pitshanger and Montpelier Park, where residents remain outraged at the demolition of what was once a locally listed heritage building. Built around 1880 and originally known as Melbourne Lodge, the redbrick structure had been a familiar landmark on Queen’s Walk. In May 2025, however, much of the building was demolished, including its chapel, leaving only part of the façade intact.

Luxgrove Capital Partners, the developer behind the scheme, has submitted a retrospective application (ref. 254396FUL) to regularise the works already carried out. The proposal promises to restore the exterior of Nile Lodge, but campaigners argue that it offers no clear plan for rebuilding the demolished sections. Residents fear this amounts to a fait accompli, with the council likely to approve the retrospective application without requiring meaningful redress.

Concerns have also been raised by the Pitshanger Community Association about the precedent such approval might set. If developers can demolish heritage assets and then seek retrospective consent, a spokesperson for the group warned that planning conditions could be undermined across the borough. The application itself has not inspired confidence: residents who have combed through its 76 documents say they found inconsistencies, including conflicting figures for the number of apartments and outdated submissions.

Frustration has grown over the quirks of the planning system. Residents who wish to demand reinstatement of the original building have been told that such requests are not valid planning considerations. Meanwhile, Luxgrove’s own website has advertised the scheme under the name The Fallow, with more rooms than appear in the planning application.

Objectors have also raised concerns about the building’s close proximity to Dene Court, inadequate separation distances, and overlooking of bedrooms, including those of children, in breach of local and London-wide planning policies. Further objections focus on alleged inaccuracies in daylight and sunlight assessments, conflicting information about occupancy and communal space, and what residents describe as overdevelopment of a sensitive site.

Ealing Council has acknowledged that the demolition exceeded what was permitted and confirmed that the developer is now seeking retrospective approval. A spokesperson has previously said that ongoing works are at the developer’s own risk and that the council continues to monitor the site.

However, requests to have the matter considered by the full planning committee have gone unanswered, despite the scale of the scheme being far greater than other recent applications that did go before councillors.

Residents argue that they need assurance from the council that future work will be properly scrutinised and monitored. They also want clarity on the structural engineers’ report that supposedly justified the demolition, which they say is buried deep within the planning portal.

Demolition work taking place at the site. Picture: Pitshanger Community Association

Comment was requested from Luxgrove.

Comments can be submitted until 24 December, giving residents one last chance to make their views known before the council reaches its decision.