| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Acton Bus Depot - Planning Application resubmission - please note consultation | |
| Posted by: | Vivienne Duggan | |
| Date/Time: | 20/07/09 15:50:00 |
| This is a copy of the original objection letter I sent to the council. If you want to object to the Secretary of State, feel free to cut & paste any/all of. This time it needs to be sent (3 copies) to; Sandra Grant, Room 3/14, The Planning Inspectorate Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, BRISTOL, BS1 6PN The appeal reference is APP/A527/E/09/2107283, LPA Ref: P/2008/3469 Dear Ms Grant, PLANNING APPLICATION NO. P/2008/3463 & P2008/3469 SITE: 283-303 BUS DEPOT UXBRIDGE ROAD ACTON W3 9QU Having fully considered the plans and supporting documentation made by Crest Nicholson with regard to the existing Tram Depot (which they incorrectly refer to as the Bus Depot), I wish to register my objections in the strongest possible manner. I object on the following grounds: 1) Existing Tram Depot I understand the Victorian façade is subject to a conservation order. It is and has always been a landmark building, known and loved by residents. The demolition of this building would be a loss to the Victorian architectural spirit of Acton and its local community. I contest Crest Nicholson’s view that it is of ‘no architectural importance and a health risk’. In fact to quote Ealing Council’s own website: ’The Acton Town Centre conservation area was designated in 1982 and extended in 1994. The designation report stated that “The area covers the historic core of Acton….The area is considered to be one of the few relatively unspoilt Victorian town centres in London, and many of the properties are included in the Statutory and Local Lists of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic interest.” ‘ 2) Other Existing Buildings Crest Nicholson incorrectly state that the adjacent block (305-309 Uxbridge Road) is four storey commercial. It is primarily ground floor commercial with residential above. Save for this block, the surrounding buildings are two storey residential. 3) Local Residents Crest Nicholson’s plans focus totally on the wants and needs of potential new residents. They show a total disregard for existing, council tax paying residents; particularly those of Denehurst Gardens. Local residents will be subjected to a huge increase in traffic density as a result of this development: delivery lorries and vans; visiting customers and new residents and their visitors. This will exacerbate an already severe problem with parking for existing residents. It will also have a detrimental effect on the air quality and add to an already worrying level of pollution, as recognised in government reports on environmental pollution in the Horn Lane area. I do not believe that adequate consideration has been given to the already oversubscribed local services, such as schools, doctors and dentists. 4) Proposed development The mass/density of this five storey development is totally out of scale and character to that of the surrounding area and hugely unsympathetic to its environs. There are no five storey buildings in the general vicinity and the plans show this building line to be much higher than any adjacent buildings. (The Red Lion and Pineapple is single storey adjacent.) Roof top gardens, terraces and balconies show a total lack of consideration for the existing residents, impacting on their privacy and compromising their rights of light. Added to this, I have great concerns about the additional noise and other detrimental effects of high-density living caused by the shoehorning-in of 89 flats to an area never before utilised for residential purposes. 5) Proposed Commercial Facilities The plans refer to the provision of mixed-use food/drink and retail facilities. There are plenty of A1/A3 premises which have been vacant in Acton for a long time. Further vacant premises would surely contradict the council’s own plans to improve the Acton area. Further fast-food premises, of which we have an abundance, will contribute to the rubbish and waste strewn around our roads. According to Crest Nicholson’s report, Denehurst Gardens is currently ‘a quiet residential street.’ This development will turn it into a dirty, noisy one. 6) Parking Although the plans refer to a provision of very limited parking facilities within the development, this is not referred to at all in the application. Notwithstanding this, any increase in living density will add to an existing parking problem. From the documents reviewed, it is not inconceivable to anticipate another 60 cars that would be seeking on-street parking in an already over-congested residential road. From the experience of the Bromyard development it is not enough to state that no parking permits will be issued. It would also be necessary to prohibit the purchase of visitors’ vouchers. In my view the only way this development would be acceptable is to reduce the density by two thirds and dispense with the commercial element. Yours sincerely, |