Urgent 'Call-In' Sought Over Ealing Planning Decision
Campaigners seek Secretary of State to rule over demolition of Edwardian house
A campaign's underway to try and reverse a decision by Ealing Council planners to demolish a large Edwardian house and replace it with flats.
There've been hundreds of objections and a petition opposing the plans however last Wednesday’s planning committee granted the application which would see the corner house known as ‘Ranmore’ at 18 St Stephens Road replaced with 9 'luxury' apartments.
During the debate Cllr Jon Ball (Lib Dem) described the design of the proposed new building as “absolutely hideous”. He also criticised the reduction of daylight to a nearby bedroom window and raised concerns that future occupants would be able to overlook the playground of Notting Hill & Ealing Junior School.
Two local Labour politicians - Rupa Huq MP and Cllr Yvonne Johnson, Cabinet member for schools - wrote letters of opposition to the application. However, the planning committee itself split along party lines with Cllr Ball and two Conservative councillors voting against it while all Labour members present voted in favour.
The last remaining hope to save Ranmore from the bulldozers is now an urgent request from Wimborne Gardens resident Dr Gill Read and Ealing planning campaigner Victor Mishiku to the Secretary of State for him to overrule the council and call the application in to decide it himself.
Locals have expressed fears that this decision could open the floodgates for many other such applications and
could set a precedent of large homes being demolished to create smaller homes or flats in the area.
20 December 2018