Plans for Arcadia site scaled back (From Ealing Times)

Plans for Arcadia site scaled back

1:50pm Thursday 24th July 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

DRASTICALLY scaled-down plans for a major development in the heart of Ealing are due to be unveiled on Friday.

Irish developer Glenkerrin claims to have reduced the height of towers planned for the Arcadia Shopping Centre in Ealing Broadway, by around 40 per cent.

A new slimline tower, designed by architects Fosters and Partners, will take the place of the controversial 40-storey Leaf building and finger blocks on the edge of Haven Green have been reduced.

The number of homes in the plans has also been reduced by around 20 per cent from the original 700, and developers say public squares have also been opened up.

Original plans for the site were fiercely opposed by an alliance of 25 community groups called Save Ealing’s Centre, as well as planning experts at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and English Heritage.

Ray Grehan, the chief executive of Glenkerrin, said: “Local people expressed a range of concerns when we presented our initial proposals. We have listened and taken on board the comments. For our new scheme we have reduced the height of the main tower.

“Other changes include the redesign of homes fronting Haven Green, so that they have fewer storeys and altering the public squares and streetscape to provide more generous pedestrian access.

“All of the above has resulted in an overall reduction in the amount of residential development by approximately 20 per cent.”

Mr Grehan added that the firm is “committed to the success of the town centre”, and has developed a plan to attract business to the centre of Ealing.

The developers say the plans will change, depending on feedback from the public exhibition, which runs on Friday, between 2pm and 8pm, and Saturday, from 11am to 4pm in Christ the Saviour Church Hall, Uxbridge Road.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)