Residents Lose 16-Year Battle Over Creswick Road Development
Furious reaction as council planning committee approves application
Residents and campaigners reacted with fury after Ealing Council's planning department approved an application which will see the demolition of Trevenna Cottage, situated at 2, Creswick Road. Under the plan, by Leicestershire-based development company Landbilt Limited, the cottage will be demolished and replaced by eight semi-detached houses with private gardens.
Trevenna Cottage
Campaigners against the development were hoping that the central government's Planning Policy Statement (PPS3), published in June 2010, which excludes back gardens from being defined as 'brownfield' land, would be taken into consideration.
But the planning committee voted in favour of the application by a vote of 5-4. The chairman of the Committee, Cllr Ray Wall had the final and deciding vote.
Victor Mishiku, of The Covenant Movement, has been spearheading the campaign against this development for 16 years. This morning he reacted with dismay at the outcome.
In an email to Cllr Wall, Mr. Mishiku said "(It was) A very sad night when you and your voting (Labour Party) colleagues en masse dishonoured the solemn Pledges given by your former Leader, Cllr. John Cudmore, who promised the people of this borough that: "Planning decisions must take into account of the feelings of local people' and 'We are opposed to backland development. You also completely disregarded the new PPS3 militating against garden land development. Such development as this is totally banned in the neighbouring L.B.Harrow."
Another resident contacted ActonW3.com with her reaction. Clare Lowy, who lives in nearby Rosemont Road, said "We've been completely steamrollered," Lowy said. "I don't think people are looking at the bigger picture," she said, pointing to the number of developments and flats being erected in the neighbourhood. 'I'm more concerned about open space in our area. The whole thing was a stitch-up."
Both Landbilt Limited, and Ealing Council have not responded to requests for comment at this time.
24 February 2011