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Exhibition for Leaf

11:26am Monday 3rd December 2007

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A CONTROVERSIAL development which is set to change the centre of Ealing is getting a third public exhibition this week.

Developers Glenkerrin are running the exhibition in the existing Arcadia shopping centre on The Broadway, showcasing their designs for the site, which include a 40-storey tower, new shops and 700 new homes.

A public meeting last week saw heated debate about the viability of the project, which is due to come before planning bosses in the new year.

Sean O'Gorman, Director of Glenkerrin said: "We want as many people as possible to visit the display to find out more about the scheme and see at first hand how the Leaf development leads the future of Ealing."

Visitors will also be encouraged to visit a new website set up to showcase the project at www.ealingleaf.co.uk.

What do you think of the plans? Have your say by clicking on the Arcadia Development tab on the website.


Your Say YourEaling

Sue Kendrick, Northfields says...
6:15pm Mon 3 Dec 07

It would be helpful to know when the exhibition at the Arcadia is taking place. All week during opening hours - let us know so our journeys are not wasted. Visiting the website cited is a waste of time as it's not yet been launched - not even a holding page.

bill, Ealing says...
4:21pm Mon 17 Dec 07

Their website is up now, it looks great and I hope it becomes a reality as it will be a great asset to our area both financially and visually.

Bill, The Broadway.

Jon Riley, ealing common says...
9:36am Sun 23 Dec 07

I like Ealing just as it is - apart from the current Arcadia centre (badly designed, uninviting).
However, I fail to see how the new proposals are an improvement. Apart (possibly) from the "boulevard" along Haven Green, the design is dull and depressing, like a hundred other shopping centres.
There is no sensitivity to locality, either aesthetically or practically.

The "leaf" may be "iconic", but belongs in Hong Kong or the City. For Ealing, it's both monstrously overbearing and pointless.

But what really gets me is the arrogant, patronising tone of Glenkerrin's publicity. I might have some sympathy for their ideas if they weren't trying to hard-sell them so desperately.

dominic, ealing says...
1:51pm Sun 30 Dec 07

I believe that the leaf is fantastic in every way and that all critism is largely unjusified: the leaf shall and will be a definate symbol only Ealing but all of London.

dominic, ealing says...
1:53pm Sun 30 Dec 07

I believe that the leaf is fantastic in every way and that all critism is largely unjusified: the leaf shall and will be a definate symbol not only Ealing but all of London.

dom, ealing says...
11:19am Mon 31 Dec 07

Skyscrapers have their place, but not in Ealing's suburbia, which is of a period. This is a massive redevelopment and there should be other tenders for the redevelopment of Arcadia besides Glenkerrin, who are framing this in a "get all or get nothing" approach.

paul Judd, says...
2:20pm Wed 2 Jan 08

I live on New Broadway right across from the Arcadia Centre and I can't stress how excited I am by these plans. Ealing is in need of an exciting injection into the town centre and this delivers on all levels. To hold back progression and stand in the way of these ideas could send Ealing to sleep as surrounding areas inject cash and fresh ideas. Please please look to the future and say yes to The Leaf
quote

JV Churcher, Ealing says...
6:34pm Sat 5 Jan 08

It's hard to tell what the other developments aside from the Leaf will be like. I would certainly be pleased to see an improvement on the Arcadia Centre, however the Leaf design, proposal, aside from being excessively tall for Ealing is monstrous, ugly & unsympathetic to the surrounding area.
It does not fit in with the established "village" feel of ealing, that I feel we should really be striving to preserve. Ealing should be encouraging visitors and inhabitants for other unique selling points such as its history through the Ealing Fllm Studios, it's Jazz Festival, & its lovely green parks, and not attempting to compete with other boroughs in such a crass agressive manner!

Kevin Purell, Ealing W13 says...
3:16pm Sun 13 Jan 08

One aspect of this proposed development receiving less publicity is the bonanza it will create for cable and satellite TV companies, as well as TV aerial riggers.

The buildings (in particular, the 40 storey tower block) will create television broadcast shadows having a serious impact on properties losing their line of sight to the Crystal Palace and Croydon transmitters. Properties located to the north west of Haven Green will suffer this blight. The Environmental Statement supporting the planning application admits a theoretical shadow length of over 10 miles for both digital and analogue transmissions from Crystal Palace.

The planning submission appears to be based on the premise that people losing reception will cheerfully pay the significant cost of subscription cable or satellite services, or upgrading and realignment of existing equipment.

It may not surprise you to learn that Glenkerrin has not responded to my enquiry about its intentions for mitigating these costs.

Tony Miller, Ealing W5 says...
3:33pm Thu 17 Jan 08

Glenkerrin's spin on its plans for the Arcadia centre hides the fact that this is basically a massive housing development - over three times larger than the approved Borough plan - rather than a viable commercial and retail project. Its PR team are still telling people that there will be a department store, although the largest unit on offer is only half the size of the shop deserted by Beales in the Braodway Centre.
What the site - and Ealing - needs is an experienced developer who is genuinely interested in retail regeneration, and who will not just walk away after pocketing the profits from selling expensive apartments with no social or community infrastructure.

Your sayYourEaling

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