Ealing Council clamping down on tall buildings?
Thu 20 Jan 2022
Ealing Council has seen a larger number of tall buildings being proposed, in the last few years, by private developers outside of designated areas for growth.
Ealing Council continues to face the dual challenges of meeting the affordable housing crisis, with 11,000 people on the housing waiting list, at the same time being instructed by the Government to build 3,000 homes each year to meet the Housing Delivery Test.
Alongside the statement on Tall Buildings, the Council’s new administration set out today new Local Planning Policy Guidance that:
- Sets out the character of each of Ealing’s seven towns;
- Introduces a new housing design guide to encourage good quality and sustainable buildings;
- Puts the character, context and identity of Ealing at the heart of decision making.
As this guidance is now adopted, and planners and councillors involved in deciding planning applications are now expected to follow it.
What exactly is a "speculative developments"?
Ealing Council has been defending the spread of tall buildings and saying our hands are tied and not wanting to disappoint the developers.
This is too little and too late. It is not the result of a forward looking council but the result of resident complaints.
“We (Southall) have been complaining for years”.
“This was a pure electioneering puff.”
It is NOT going to stop the spread of non-speculative developments featuring tall buildings.
Cllr Peter Mason, Leader of Ealing Council said: “We do not want to see the spread of skyscrapers in Ealing. London has an affordable homes crisis and a climate emergency, and we will not solve either with ever more luxury apartments in the sky.”
“With 11,000 families on our housing waiting list, and with all of us craving a better quality of life in the wake of COVID-19, our focus continues to be on providing homes that families can truly afford in sustainable communities they can enjoy.”
“The seven towns that make up our Borough have so much character and identity. We’re as committed as ever to preserving what is great about Ealing, and protecting its future.”
Cllr Shital Manro, Cabinet Member for Good Growth said “In making this statement, we are making it abundantly clear to both developers and planners alike what our expectations are going forward.”
“Work with us to deliver good jobs, decent living incomes and genuinely affordable homes. If you are only interested in building them tall and stacking them high, don’t bother. We’re not interested.”
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