CONSULTATION on redeveloping the Friary Park Estate, Acton, reopened this week as residents continue to oppose a decision to build a 37-story tower block near the station.
Developers have faced criticism for not adequately consulting the public on their revised plans.
In 2019, Ealing Council planning committee approved the initial plans, which included 930 new homes and two tower blocks.
The new plan now includes a 37-storey block, which was originally 22 storeys, and a 29-storey tower, which has gone up from 24.
None of the additional homes is ‘affordable rent homes’, but 64 of the flats will be shared ownership and 90 will be private homes.
The site originally housed the Walls ice cream factory until being demolished, with housing originally opened by then Labour leader Neil Kinnock.
Sean Fletcher, who presents the BBC’s Sunday Live and ITV’s GMB breakfast TV shows is one of the lead campaigners against the revised plans.
He said: “In a meeting with the developers, Mount Anvil told me the reason for wanting to build higher was because they had lost money during COVID and after Brexit.
“e know about Mount Anvil’s failed venture in Manchester. As a result, they are now having to make a much higher profit on their London developments.”
The development, which is a joint enterprise between Catalyst Housing and Mount Anvil has also faced criticism for marketing the properties to Hong Kong and Middle Eastern buyers before advertising them in the UK.
Rupa Huq, the MP for Ealing Central and Acton, who also attended a meeting with the developers, said: “The revised plans are unnecessarily high and completely mismatched to the Edwardian and Victorian surrounding streets.
“Given the way there is less and less demand for flats in the COVID era, I’d say, if anything, this development needs reducing in size, scale and scope.”
The leader of Ealing Council, Peter Mason, who met residents, tweeted: “I do not believe the planned increase in the height of the towers at this site is appropriate, proportional or necessary.”
Catalyst Housing said the online consultation would run for two further weeks from Monday (25) to allow as many people as possible to have their say.
A community-led campaign group called Cap the Towers has also been set up by Acton residents to oppose the proposed increase in size.
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