Ealing Councillor's Planning Application Faces Stiff Opposition

Claims of overdevelopment in conservation area

It's being claimed that a planning application in a Hanwell conservation area is being recommended for approval because the applicant is a Labour Councillor who sits on the planning committee.

Ray Wall, who represents Hobbayne ward, wants to build a double height extension to his seven-bed property on Manor Court Road - part of the Golden Manor Conservation Area.

No 17, Cllr Wall's house

Previous applications for single side and rear extensions have been approved and the latest goes before planning committee this evening.

There have been 16 objections to the scheme including the Hanwell Village Green Conservation Area Residents' Association who say it amounts to overdevelopment in a conservation area.

No 15 Manor Court Road showing extension being built at no 17

Councillor Wall's direct neighbour, Jennifer Moseley, has employed chartered surveyors, BVP, to look at the proposals and they have written in to Ealing Council strongly objecting to the application:

They conclude, ''There is no doubt this extension is wholly inappropriate both visually and in the context of my client’s daylight. I trust that Ealing will advise the applicant to withdraw the Planning Application before it goes to Committee. If it should get as far as Committee, then I trust it will be recommended for refusal as there are simply no grounds upon which it can be approved.''

Side extension being built at No 17

Ms Moseley says there is no precedent for applications like this in the area and believes nobody else would be granted approval for such an extension.

An Ealing council spokesperson said: ''It is appropriate for planning applications made by councillors to be heard by the planning committee. This allows for a greater level of scrutiny and transparency when a decision is made. The members of the planning committee maintain high professional standards at all times and consider each application on its merits and in accordance to the requirements of planning legislation.''

18 May 2016