West Ealing is changing fast. Hundreds of milions of pounds are being spent on redeveloping the Green Man Lane and Sherwood Close Estates and millions more wil be spent redeveloping the BHS site. As a result many hundreds of new families wil make West Ealing their home.On top of this we have Crossrail coming in 2018 and all the changes that it is likely to bring to the area. At this time of great change the West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum has put together a detailed spatial plan for land use in the centre of West Ealing (see map below for area of plan). The plan looks at how a series of sites in West Ealing could be developed. These include the Royal Mail building in Manor Road and Chignell Place along with some radical ideas for building a mixed use development at the southern edge of Dean Gardens.
Also included are outline plans for how to invest the money from the future Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that will go to WECNF if their plans are approved. The CIL is a planning charge paid by developers to support the local infrastructure. WECNF’s plans propose investing in improving or replacing Jacob’s Ladder, maintaining the old Woolworth’s facade, improving Dean Gardens as well as investing in community facilities and community arts.
Lastly, WECNF put forward a series of local buildings as heritage assets. Buildings such as the Salvation Army Hall in Leeland Road, Ealing Magistrates’ Court, the bookend buildings to the entrance to Chignell Place, the parade of shops and offices above Barclays Bank and the two art deco buildings at the top of St James Avenue.
So, this isn’t just a dry old document. It’s a plan that profoundly affects how West Ealing could develop over the next decade. These plans are available to view at West Ealing Library and are on their website. Comments are very welcome and the closing date for these is 5th October. Comments should be emailed to eric@wecnf.org
In order to plan to build and restore and invigorate West Ealing one should always build on the heritage of the area. Architecture is an important part of the history and community for any area. West Ealing has such a significant and world renowned art deco piece of architecture in the Woolworth buildng, This is part of many such buildings in West London- tube stations and Hoover to mention a just a few. It is therefore Esential that the facade and important historical architectural elements are retained, this will add to the historical and artistic connection that West Ealing has within the West London area. We should strive to keep great architecture within our community and keep its historical context.