Minister Says Concerns Over Horn Lane Site Must Be Addressed
Network Rail wants access point for HS2 construction
The current entrance to the Jewsons site on Horn Lane
January 14, 2025
The government has delayed a final decision on controversial plans from Network Rail to secure permanent access rights to a site off Horn Lane and built a temporary road to an HS2 site. The government has given Network Rail six months to address concerns raised by residents and local business about the plans for Horn Lane which include construction of a temporary road rail access point (RRAP) to allow the other works at Old Oak Common Station to take place.
The application also includes a ‘construction compound’ to support the building work at Old Oak Common Station. Network Rail hopes to be given compulsory purchase powers to acquire the land at Horn Lane, something considered critical to the development of the station.
The scheme has drawn criticism for its impact on local communities such as increased noise, poor air quality, and disruption to business. After a public inquiry, the appointed Planning Inspector recommended rejecting the application, citing ‘insufficient justification for land acquisition, adverse noise impacts on residents at night, and a lack of consideration for alternative sites’.
Despite these concerns, the Secretary of State for Transport is ‘minded to approve’ the application. However, this approval is conditional on resolving a number of key issues. These include acquiring Crown land and finalising a land-sharing agreement with Bellaview Properties Ltd, the owners of part of the site). The developer has been given permission to build 185 flats in four blocks including a 15 storey tower on the site of the Jewsons Builders Merchant at 227 – 239 Horn Lane and Network Rail needs rights of access through this land.
Ms Kuszta, a resident of nearby Acton House, told the inquiry that the noise from Network Rail operations is ‘already a problem which will be exacerbated should the scheme go ahead without any measures to mitigate this’. Network Rail argues that the works which the temporary RRAP facilitates, take place on the railway lines so would not cause any adverse noise effects to residents.
However, the inspector agreed with the concerns of residents. Whilst it was noted that the noise from the railway line works would be taking place a good distance from the Horn Lane site, it was the noise from the road-rail vehicles using the RRAP that would have the biggest impact on the residents.
A visualisation from Bellaview Properties showing the proposed housing scheme from Horn Lane
The letter states, “During a site visit, the inspector observed that the noise from the shackling and unshackling of chains on these vehicles and the noise from their reversing bleepers was clearly audible above the more general noise from trains and other construction work.
“As this activity would be expected to occur mostly at night, he concludes that this will likely cause significant disturbance to residents, potentially made worse should other planned developments (for example associated HS2 works or works related to a residential planning permission granted to BPL) be taking place in the same period.”
The government has given Network Rail until July 2025 to address these issues and provide further evidence that the land needed can be acquired. Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, will make a final decision once these conditions are met.
Philip James Lynch – Local Democracy Reporter
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