Forum Topic

Dickens Yard

Will the development proposals at Dickens Yard W5 be an improvement for Central Ealing?  Anyone seen the Council exhibition at the Town Hall about the development?  Any views?

Gerry Tan ● 6697d20 Comments

Has the Leaf proposal been scrapped now?

Susan Kelly ● 6697d

Good question.  I haven't seen the exhibition but I'm aware of a concern from a number of residents groups that these plans are for a far denser development than was agreed in the 2004 (?) public consultation - almost twice the number of flats, for example..  One of the major concerns is over the increased height of some of the buildings which back on to Gordon Road. The image on the home page of the Save Ealing's Centre website shows in silhouette how the new buildings will look when set against the existing ones.I'm pretty sure The Leaf development has been withdrawn for the moment but is likely to come back in some form.  The developers may well wait and see what the reaction is to the Dickens Yard plans.I think we need a debate about what level of density is acceptable for a development - of any sort - in the town centre. I read Sir Norman Foster claims that these sorts of developments are much more 'eco-friendly' than taking up swathes of the green belt for purpose built 'eco-towns'.  Maybe, maybe not.  If the population is going to continue to increase are these sorts of high-density developments the price we need to pay and is it better than using green belt? It's time for a debate so these crucial decisions, which will effect us for generations, are made with open eyes and not just in hope.

David Highton ● 6697d

Dickens Yard proposal is for 698 flats - very close to the size of the Arcadia/Leaf proposals (100 metres to the east) which have effectively been withdrawn. The sheer scale of the main Dickens Yard residential block is breathtaking - it's 167 metres long and at least 8 storeys high along the whole of its length, with residential towers rising up to 14 storeys.If this Dickens Yard Planning Application goes ahead it will set a precedent in central Ealing for height and sheer bulk for any other proposed developments.As to the more general issue of town centre development, doesn't it make sense to locate services and facilities in the town centre for use by all the existing 300,000+ residents and businesses? However if the town is broke and needs to force through large, residential developments like the Dickens Yard in central Ealing one in order to make money - why can't the Council come clean and tell us this?

Eric Alan Leach ● 6697d

I agree with all the points made on the Save Ealing's Centre website [www.saveealingscentre.com/page18.htm]. The council had previously set parameters for the site and now it seems to be backing a proposal that comprehensively breaks them.From what I saw of them, the plans could be a great deal greener - in all respects. What about green roofs, living walls, green spaces for kids to play or people to relax - bringing wildlife and biodiversity into the town centre. The biodiversity of traditional suburban gardens is far greater than that of the green belt and should be encouraged and extended....

David Fox ● 6696d

Yes, indeed, in December 2007 Ealing Cabinet approved seriously amended plans for Dickens Yard, virtually doubling the development size that had been recommended in 2004 and that had received public approval.  This change has not been subject to public consultation.  You only now have the chance to object to the overdevelopment of Dickens Yard. Too high, too dense, not enough shops to be a meaningful retail development. And above all, no extra provision for culture and leisure - features that are already seriously lacking in Ealing Bdwy. Another 3-4,000 people (in all new town centre developments) and no extra facilities??? There could be an opportunity to change Ealing Bdwy's image... Let's have  a culture and leisure centre for all the borough's residents to come to. You can object to St George's plans for Dickens Yard before 27 June.  Send your letter to Ealing Planning, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Rd., W5 or e mail planning@ealing.gov.uk.Ann

Ann Pav ● 6694d

There certainly is misconception by developers and planners about cramming hundreds of flats into Ealing Broadway, the traditional centre for residents over wide areas of the borough. Far from leading to reinvigoration many will shun overcrowding and also face overloading of their own services which will result in a lower quality of life.A local junior school already has 690 children!

Robert Darke ● 6687d

Yes, schools, doctors, dentists etc will be a massive problem. Also, there is already a massive glut of unsold 2 bed flats......identijit..all hideous boxes and we will have yet more !

Penny Crocker ● 6687d

Instead of making a model of Dickens Yard the developers should be made to construct a mock-up of one of the flats, that should gather a few comments.

Peter Wright ● 6687d

Whereas the Leaf is a wonderful piece of innovative exciting architecture which would enhance Ealing, become a focal point with locals with it's open structure that people would enjoy walking under and around; and bring attention to Ealing in the media - our very own "Gherkin", the Dickens Yard Development is a dull, pedestrian, ploddy Barretts style structure that may kill the site stone dead.  We deserve better architecture on this site.

S. D. Brock ● 6686d

Have we learnt nothing from the architecture of the 50s and 60s, will this be our tower-block of the twentyfirst century?

Peter Wright ● 6686d

The tower block of the 50/60's was the same kind of  concept - pack 'em in with no thought to the actual day to day living in a stark environment.  Though I confess I really like the harsh, stark beauty of the 60's Trellick Tower - which has been turned from a no go slum into a very desireable living space.

S. D. Brock ● 6686d

The SEC leaflet brilliantly shows the overbearing structure of up to fourteen storeys looming over the four storeys of the existing buildings fronting the New Broadway, as extracted from the planning application.Ealing Broadway councillors need to show a lot more support and backbone particularly for the residents of Gordon Road who will take the brunt of the huge increase in traffic due to the proposed 583 car spaces.www.saveealingscentre.com

Robert Darke ● 6679d

I have visited saveealingscentre.com and am appalled at the incongruous proposal to build 7 extremely ugly high-rise towers in the centre of Ealing. They will dominate the skyline and dwarf the beautiful town hall and the neighbouring historic buildings.I have repeatedly attempted to register my objection on line, but there is an ongoing fault with the "planning portal". I have emailed LBE about this, but have received no joy. Perhaps they should extend the consultation period to allow people to register their objections?

Linda Thorpe ● 6679d

It is very important that everybody sends in their objections to Ealing Council.  When drawing up their recommendations for the Planning Committee, the Council's planning officers will only consider representations that have been submitted to the Council itself rather than to the media.I noticed that there were problems with Ealing Council's server earlier this week.  Perhaps the sheer weight of objections being submitted to the Council is at times overloading the Council's server.Fortunately, there is a very simple alternative to submitting comments online via the Council's website.  The equally acceptable alternative is to send an e-mail to Ealing Planning Services at planning@ealing.gov.uk  If you submit your objections in this way, you should put "P/2008/0156 - Dickens Yard" in the subject line of your e-mail.  P/2008/0156 is the all-important reference number of the planning application.We are now in the final week of the consultation period which ends on Friday 27 June.  It is now a matter of pressing urgency to get as many objections as possible submitted to Ealing Council in the next few days.  If you would like some more ideas about how to object and what specifically to object to, please have a look at Save Ealing Centre's website at http://www.saveealingscentre.com/  The website has been completely revamped  in the last few days, and it now contains a mass of easily accessible and well-informed advice and opinion.  You will be able to select the aspects of the proposed Dickens Yard development that you really object to, or you can use some or all of the template letter that is also posted on the website.

Anthony Lewis ● 6677d

I would also like to point out to readers that Christ Church CE School(behind the church) will be massively impacted by this development.  I was shocked at a meeting on Tuesday to find out that my children will lose a significant portion of the only "green space" in their playground to make way for the new cafe/restaurant which is being labelled as a "Community Centre" as it has a hall on top!  I am shocked that the council can take away part of the orchard and overshadow the classrooms by high rise buildings.  If you have ever visited Christ Church, the children have literally no green space anyway.  I cannot help but feel that both the C of E Diocese and the council have sold out just for the money!

Philippa Ervin ● 6676d

Re:- " I have repeatedly attempted to register my objection on line, but there is an ongoing fault with the "planning portal". I have emailed LBE about this, but have received no joy."        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx        I wonder why, or am I being too cynical. I am beginning to distrust the present bunch as much as I did Livingstone. And if anyone appeals to any Environmental Gov. Dept re over development etc etc, I doubt they will get much joy, 'cos THIS Gov. has plans for millions of more immigrants, most of whom are expected in the South East, especially London.

Tony Price ● 6675d

Please do not get too cynical and give up.  Send in your objections to the Dickens Yard planning application urgently! (Check www.saveealingscentre.com for all details, including a model letter)  We are firmly on the road to persuading the Council to hold off any developments until we have a considered and approved town plan.  However, persuasion lies in the force of numbers....plus of course the important criticisms from English Heritage and Sir Peter Hall (Professor of Town Planning and Ealing resident). So, write in now!  Friday is the last day!!!

Ann Pav ● 6674d

Today is the last day for comments on Dickens Yard as part of the Council's formal Public Consultation period. If you haven't yet commented on the St George Planning Application to build 698 flats in blocks a minimum of eight storeys high and a maximum length of 167 metres - do it now.Email Steve Austin at planning@ealing.gov.uk with your comments.If you need to see an analysis of the application or a summary of common objections see www.savealingscentre.com

Eric Alan Leach ● 6670d

The debate about Dickens Yard redevelopment continues.  If you did send in your comment/objection to the plans, please ensure that you send a copy to your local ward councillors (3).  If you haven't got chapter and verse any longer, re-write your comments and send them to your councillors.  The councillors must represent their electorate during the planning application process but will only do so if they get letters.

Ann Pav ● 6663d

A quick and easy way to find out who your councillors are is to visit http://www.ealing.gov.uk/services/council/councillors/councillors_by_ward/

Linda Thorpe ● 6662d