A DECISION is due this evening on controversial plans to redevelop a conservation area close to Ealing Broadway railway station.

More than 1,700 people have signed a petition started by Save Ealing's Centre just one week ago, attacking plans for a new nightclub, shops and homes and asking the council not to ‘rip the heart out of Ealing’.

Council officers have recommended the planning committee should grant planning permission.

A report to be presented at tonight’s meeting reads: “The scheme would cause less than substantial harm and any residual adverse impacts would be outweighed by the significant public benefits of the scheme.”

The Victorian Society said the development would demolish multiple Victorian and Edwardian buildings in the Ealing Town Centre Conservation Area.

James Hughes, senior Victorian Society conservation adviser, said: “Ealing Council should sit up and take notice when Historic England says that a scheme is so harmful it would undermine an entire conservation area.

“The amount of destruction this scheme requires would have an irrevocable and negative impact on central Ealing’s fundamental character and appearance.

“A total rethink is needed to redevelop the site sensitively so that these buildings, their character and that of the wider area is preserved.”

Concerned resident Beth Gregory wrote: “I have lived in and loved Ealing all my life and generations of my family have done the same before me. Already the face of the borough has been changed beyond recognition.

“Beautiful architecture is already overshadowed by dense, high rise and wholly out of character buildings which I have watched go up in dismay. Bit by bit you are ruining our lovely borough.

“Please do not do this to the town centre.”

According to Ealing Council officers benefits would include 51 affordable housing units out of the 188 new homes, a £1million contribution towards high quality footway paving around The Broadway, The Mall, Haven Green and town centre, as well as thousands of pounds towards St Marks Primary School and a children’s play space at Haven Green and Lammas Park.

The planning committee is due to make its decision at a public meeting in the Town Hall on New Broadway at 7pm today, February 24.

The petition can be found here.