Fury as Approval Given to Twyford Abbey Development
Objectors say the scheme will result in the loss of over 150 trees
Protestors outside the planning meeting. Picture: Ealing Green Party
Ealing’s borough planning committee has approved an application for a major development at the historic Twyford Abbey site this Wednesday evening (19 October).
Clarion Housing had submitted designs for the construction of seven blocks containing 326 flats but this resulted in over 200 objections from local residents and environmental campaign groups. Local MP Rupa Huq also submitted an objection to the application.
Opponents of the scheme were unhappy that Metropolitan Open Land is to be built on and claimed that woodland areas would be destroyed and 150 trees lost.
There was a positive response from Peter Mason leader of Ealing Council after his fellow councillors voted in favour of the scheme. He tweeted, “Delighted that @EalingCouncil’s Planning Cttee have given the go ahead to the restoration of Twyford Abbey this evening. Long on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register, I hope that this latest plan can truly bring a much loved building back into use well into the future.”
He pointed out that the Ealing Civic Society is “supportive of its sympathetic restoration and consider its conversion to high quality residential apartments to be appropriate”.
Twyford Abbey. Picture: Ealing Green Party
The developer Clarion says that its scheme will open up the Twyford Abbey grounds to the public for the first time and will provide funding for the restoration of the Victorian building.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Athena Zissimos disagreed saying, “It is very disappointing that Councillors on the Planning Committee, could not see how upsetting the loss of Twyford Abbey and surrounding grounds were to the residents, despite not having access to the grounds, the residents valued them, they were important to them. The housing crises does not justify us building on every piece of green space available to us.
“We must not believe that there is nothing left that is sacred, that nothing is worth preserving, in the name of more housing, only 36% of which is affordable, and some access to some part of that closed off land. Ealing is in danger of becoming a borough with nothing but blocks of flats, and no soul, because we are ready to sweep away 1000 years of heritage, and more than 150 trees and seven acres of open land to build 325 flats.”
Rupa Huq’s objection to the scheme stated, “I am unconvinced that this proposal represents the best possible long-term, sustainable and sensitive solution for the future of the Twyford Abbey site that would safeguard the heritage and biodiversity of the site and provide real benefits to the Abbey’s neighbours. Along with local residents, I believe this application represents gross over-development of a sensitive site, which should be rejected.”
A planning officer responded to her claim about loss of biodiversity by saying that a report showed that the scheme would bring a net gain. The developers have committed to replanting the 157 trees that will be removed, plus there will be a financial contribution of £100,000 to plant more trees in the surrounding area.
A protest was held by the Ealing Green Party outside the Town Hall prior to the meeting and it tweeted ‘Participative democracy is dead!’ after the announcement of the decision. Many of its members were denied access to the public gallery with the council saying it was already full. There was a large attendance at the meeting because of other applications that were controversial were being considered including one on Steyne Road in Acton.
A statement from West Twyford Primary School read to councillors at the meeting said, “The education, health and safety of over 400 children is being put at risk. The exit road is just centimetres from the school gates is of serious concern as it poses an imminent and unacceptable danger to families on their way to and from school each day.
“West Twyford and its surrounding greenery provide a calm and safe haven for our children. Children will be playing and studying near exhaust fumes. Clean air and a safe learning environment should be a child’s basic right.”
The ‘genuinely affordable’ portion of the development is 36% which opponents are hopeful will be too low for the Mayor of London who still has to give approval to the scheme.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |
October 20, 2022