Save Ealing's Centre First Press release
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
PR 2.03f – 30th October 2007
SAVE EALING’S CENTRE – “ONLY THE BEST WILL DO”
THE ALLIANCE GROWS AND STARTS TO FIGHT THE CURRENT PROPOSALS
Save Ealing’s Centre has now grown to more than 20 Community Groups. SEC firmly supports the regeneration of Ealing Town Centre, but the proposals submitted by Glenkerrin are not what Ealing needs. The process of lobbying has now begun, against the deadline of 14th December for responses to Ealing Council Planning Department.
SEC is adopting the strap line “Only the Best will do” in order to ensure that everyone understands the Alliance’s stance. Already there is considerable hype in public, but with little factual information. SEC has had a team of local people with relevant professional experience pore over the Glenkerrin plans to establish the facts and how, in particular, the planning application responds to the Council’s original UDP brief. SEC will shortly be circulating a guidance paper to all local residents to explain the facts and to encourage them to respond to Council’s Notification of Planning letter dated 3rd October. In parallel SEC will be launching its new website to allow greater opportunity for informed debate.
Nick Woolven, SEC Chairman, said: “The Planning Application is a portfolio of massive documents and has been difficult for the public to access, particularly at weekends, though the Council are trying to improve this situation. It has taken our team days to study and assess it thoroughly. Our work has uncovered a number of serious planning issues. We now need to explain all this to our local residents so that they can engage with the planning process, which is highly formal and structured.”
“This is not regeneration; it is simply overdevelopment creating a high density, high cost residential enclave with a fitness centre and some new aspirational retail outlets on the side. Where are all the new facilities that are being trumpeted? This is a disproportionate plan that will destroy Ealing’s heart.”
ENDS
For further details please contact:
Patrick Chapman on: 020 8567 7955
patrickchapman@btconnect.com
Notes to editors:
SEC is open to all those who believe Ealing Town Centre needs realistic regeneration that meets the needs of Ealing. We welcome both support and donations to help us.
SEC understands Ealing Council’s role as planning authority and not Glenkerrin’s sponsor. It is vital that in this role the Council reflects the concerns of those most closely affected, particularly with the impending Dickens Yard development which is similar in scale.
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