| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:HAVE YOUR SAY! DEVELOPER INCREASES UNITS FROM 990 TO 1,228 AT FRIARY PARK | |
| Posted by: | Maire Lowe | |
| Date/Time: | 06/07/22 11:28:00 |
Comment submitted date: Tue 21 Jun 2022 I write as one of the local councillors for East Acton to object to Mount Anvil and Catalyst's latest attempts to impose overdevelopment upon the residents of Acton at Friary Park. Whilst the developers might have outline planning permission on this site based on their successful 2019 application, I believe it is important to state that this application differs markedly from those that have preceded it. The developers claim to have listened to the distaste amongst the local community for imposing developments, but have responded to universal disapproval of their proposals from earlier this year with the introduction of a seventeen storey tower designed to cater for the luxury property market. Such largesse is clearly out of keeping with the immediate surroundings. Any suggestion that the vast majority of the houses to be provided via this application will do anything to solve the local housing shortage is wide of the mark - these 238 properties are intended to be sold to try and make the entire scheme viable. As my predecessors in the ward have suggested, this is sadly a serious opportunity missed to work with the local community to deliver genuinely affordable and social housing that adds to the character of a residential Acton region as the developers seek to balance the books. It is for this reason that I raise serious concerns surrounding the financial viability of the whole project. The numbers supplied with the application suggest that this important regeneration of an estate that has been unfit for purpose for some time is in serious jeopardy. The ability of the developers to deliver this project must be called into question - and the accuracy of their viability figures is open for debate. This is no time for speculation, but a sober assessment of how the developer can cater for the existing residents who have been decanted off the estate but promised an opportunity to return. There are a number of misleading statements in the application that should be corrected by the planning department. The developer should also be held to account for another attempt to procure public open space. A grassroots local campaign saw off an outrageous effort to develop Friars Place Green as part of the previous proposals and now the developer is trying to offset their lack of amenity provision by getting rid of a local access road. The arrogant assertion that such deception 'integrates' Friars Place Green into the development deserves only the contempt of Acton residents. It is breathtaking that having failed to provide adequate amenity space for 990 homes in their previous proposals, Mount Anvil and Catalyst are seeking to build 1,228 without offering any new green space at all. I would urge the planning department to reject this wholly unsuitable application and invite the developers to discuss a more palatable way forward in partnership with the local community, |