Arcadia Scheme Gets the Green Light

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Dirty tricks alleged as Councillors approve 26 storey tower

Campaigners against a massive development in the heart of Ealing received a crushing blow yesterday with the decision of the Council to give the goahead to the Arcadia scheme.

Councillors voted by a nine votes to one to approve the planning application by Glenkerrin at the Council planning committee on Wednesday, December 17th. One opposition Councillor is alleging that the public gallery of the meeting was packed with people paid to attend by the developer.

Despite being substantially scaled down from the original proposal for a 40 storey tower they still attracted opposition from groups such as Save Ealing's Centre. The Irish Developer's plans include hundreds of flats and shops on the site, along with a 26-storey building against the current maximum in the area of eight storeys.

SEC presented an alternative plan for the site but this has failed to attract support from the Council. The proposals feature a large conference centre and hotel for Ealing, as well as an arts centre and better shopping facilities. There would also have been a community facility based in a refurbished town hall, and a transport interchange around Ealing Broadway station to link buses, rail and cars more effectively.

Nick Woolven, SEC's Chairman, said: "The Planning Committee clearly did not properly scrutinise the real underlying issues and the impacts of the Arcadia Centre proposal. SEC believes that this lack of consideration of these major issues has resulted in the Planning Committee making the wrong decision for Ealing.

"The Dickens Yard and Arcadia Centre schemes are neither necessary nor sufficient for the regeneration of the centre of Ealing."

The developers were accused of underhand tactics in packing the meeting with their supporters. Liberal Democrat Councillor Jon Ball relates on his blog how he saw people queuing up for tickets for the 7pm meeting at 4pm in the afternoon. He alleges that these people were 'stooges' paid to turn up by consultants paid for by Glenkerrin.

The approval of the Arcadia scheme follows on the heels of St. George's getting the gohead for their plans for Dickens Yard. The two developments look set to transform the centre of Ealing.

 

December 18, 2008