Forum Topics

Event in Acton Park

I understand that the Carnival has been cancelled due to lack of funds. However,an application from an organisation called Kenya and Friends in the Park has been made for an event to be held 26/27 July. This is to include music from 11.00-22.00, supply of alcohol 11.00-21.30 Saturday, 11.00-21.00 Sunday.If the licence is granted by Ealing Council this will cause a huge amount of inconvenience to those of us living in the immediate vicinity of the Park in terms of noise, parking and general disturbance.If you would like to object to this, please do so in writing to the Licensing team at Percival House by 7 July. The application can be seen at www.ealing.gov.uk/info/200063/licences_and_street_trading.

Nina Battleday ● 3h0 Comments ● 3h

Acton Post Office

For those who are not already awareAt the Post Office we are continually looking to refresh our network and ensure we meet our customerneeds. I’m therefore pleased to let you know that we are planning to open a new Post Office in yourarea in Chatime, 96 High Street, Acton, W3 6QX on Tuesday 08 July 2025 at 13:00.The service will be one of our local style branches with a low-screened, open-plan Post Office servicepoint carefully integrated into the retail counter. Customers will be able to carry out a wide range ofPost Office transactions alongside retail purchases. The new service will offer long opening hours,with the Post Office opening hours in line with the retail business.

Maire Lowe ● 3d4 Comments ● 23h

Film Reviews 2025

If reviewing a new film, please reply to this first posting to keep the thread tidy.If reviewing a film someone else has already reviewed, reply to that, giving a chance of keeping them together.

Susan Kelly ● 163d71 Comments ● 2d

NAO says developers can ‘manipulate’ planning system to reduce infrastructure contributions.

Wottasurprise!NOTE: "...a lack of up-to-date government data to assess whether the current system is delivering its intended benefits."AND: "...examining potential conflicts of interest involving consultants representing both developers and councils."   National Audit Office says developers can ‘manipulate’ planning system to reduce infrastructure contributionsA report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has highlighted challenges within England’s planning system that may allow developers to negotiate lower financial contributions toward local infrastructure. The watchdog noted that differences in capacity and expertise between public and private sectors can make it difficult to fully scrutinize viability assessments - important tools used to establish contributions under Section 106 agreements.The report highlights a notable skills shortage in local authority planning departments, with the number of public sector chartered town planners declining by 25% between 2013 and 2020, while the private sector grew by two-thirds during the same period. This imbalance has impacted councils’ ability to effectively challenge viability assessments, especially against developers who have access to specialist consultants and legal expertise.Other findings include unspent developer contributions, a reduction in housing association demand for affordable housing, and a lack of up-to-date government data to assess whether the current system is delivering its intended benefits.To address these issues, the NAO recommends introducing standardised Section 106 templates, reviewing the use and transparency of viability assessments, and examining potential conflicts of interest involving consultants representing both developers and councils. The report also calls on the government to evaluate and strengthen planning capacity.The government is expected to publish updated viability guidance later this year.Our planning news is published in association with ThePlanner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.RTPI logoThe Planner logoPlanning news - 13 June 2025Pennycook to ‘consider’ strengthening nature restoration fundFuture Homes Standard to include rooftop solar as standardNational Audit Office says developers can ‘manipulate’ planning system to reduce infrastructure contributionsSOURCE:   https://www.planningportal.co.uk/services/weekly-planning-news/planning-news-13-june-2025?msdynmkt_trackingcontext=aa13ae8a-1d03-40ba-9ced-d225985c0200#national-audit-office-says-developers-can-'manipulate'-planning-system-to-reduce-infrastructure-contributions

Rosco White ● 2d0 Comments ● 2d

Eviction of Football Samurai Academy from North Acton Playing Fields

Ealing council has served an eviction notice on the Samurai Football and Tennis Club on North Acton playing fields. In 2017, Ealing Council issued a decision letter expressing support for a lease extension through 2043 — an agreement later followed up with signed Heads of Terms and a draft lease in 2024. Based on these assurances, the Academy invested over £150,000 into significant improvements to the site, including the construction of a 3G pitch and building refurbishment.Despite this, on March 25, 2025, the Academy received an eviction notice without prior consultation or justification. You can sign a petition protesting this and calling for a reversal of the decision here:https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-eviction-of-the-local-football-and-tennis-club-from-north-acton-playing-fields?signed=true

Vlod Barchuk ● 30d9 Comments ● 3d

Morrison's Inconvenience Store Acton

I went in today and both lifts are still out-of-order but today the staff had also switched off both escalators and only switched the "down" one back on when customers made a fuss. I daresay that I am not the only customer with multiple disabilities who is expected to take a trolley through the carpark, along Acton High Street, up Kings Street and back in to the store. I have complained to Head Office before but the usual response is "Take it up with the local manager", who usually says "Try Head office". I did once but the manager just blamed the member of staff who was nearest.I see that they charge for trolleys in Acton but not in Ealing. Is that a reflection on the memories or honesty of the people of Acton?

John Stuart Gallagher ● 25d5 Comments ● 4d

Acton's new post office will be wild

This promises to be one of the most interesting post offices in the country. I can't wait to see how the social media influencers posting on Instagram about the latest oversugared drink interact with the technophobe elders popping in to pay their bills.

Mark Evans ● 5d1 Comments ● 4d

Halford's site on Acton Hill

Just wondering if anyone knew what is planned for this site which turns out to be a lot larger than it looked when Halford's were there.Might be something exciting!

Susan Kelly ● 28d2 Comments ● 5d

Final Cut Pro

Hi, can anyone help me with the basics of FCP ie inserting photos, videos ad overlaying text? I have already looked on YouTube, so please not suggestions there.Thanks

David Powers ● 5d0 Comments ● 5d

Putin's Minions in Acton

For anyone like me who wasn't completely across the recent trial of the Bulgarian spy group working for the Russian's including the lady from the salon on Churchfield Road, can I recommend the podcast from The Rest is Classified. It presents what is quite a complex story in a witty and entertaining way.

Alan Fairchild ● 47d1 Comments ● 15d

Deleting a post

HiDoes anyone know how I can do this please?

Danielle Fox ● 16d0 Comments ● 16d

Closing the crossing at Churchfield Road

There is a discussion about the potential impact of the West London Orbital line on level crossings in the area on ChiswickW4.com in which the following document was shared. This dates back quite some time but the project seems to be gaining momentum so it might be worth bearing in mind again. The Churchfield Road crossing would be considered for closure with a footbridge and ramp being installed. Closure isn't necessarily going to happen but, if it doesn't there will be very long queues up and down Churchfield Road.https://wla.london/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2017-October-West-London-Orbital-Rail-Technical-Analysis-and-Conclusions.pdf

Mark Evans ● 61d6 Comments ● 16d

NVQ Qualified plasterer required

Im looking for a plasterer to fill a few holes left when my electrician fitted three uplighters in my hallway.  My flat is in Acton W3 and im looking for someone as soon as poss if anyone is interested.

Danielle Fox ● 17d0 Comments ● 17d

The Oaks

'Good news. Oaks management held a meeting for everyone involved this morning. So Acton BiD,, the Leaseholders, the Owners of the building, the Management company, the Met police, Ealing Council Members and Officers plus Residents. all met to discuss what can be done to improve the quality of the shopping experience in the Oaks. There was consensus that the centre is not especially attractive now,  and everyone had suggestions for change. We, the Residents, were impressed by the enthusiasm round the table.. There is a policy review of the regulations preventing pop up stalls and benches, a talk with the letting agents on the vacant units, a look at opening all the toilets (there are three). more stringent control of unruly elements ,and outreach to the public for local music, art and charitable objectives to be included in the open space. We are quite excited and grateful to everyone who came to the meeting and contributed so positively. Its a question of  watch this space. Anyone with more ideas and suggestions can talk to  Natasha Patel, (Acton BiD) Julian Gallant (Cons)Gary Malcolm (Lib Dem). Maureen Colledge (CCA) Serena McBeth or me.

Maire Lowe ● 270d31 Comments ● 18d

Street Cleaning in Acton

Hi everyone,I’m really frustrated with the state of Hereford Road and the adjacent streeths. There’s been rubbish and dirty streets piling up for weeks, and despite raising multiple tickets with the council, nothing has been done. It’s not just unsightly—it’s attracting pests and making the area unpleasant for everyone.Has anyone else had similar issues? It feels like the council is just ignoring this, even though we pay council tax for basic services like waste collection. If others are experiencing the same problem, maybe we can put more pressure on them to actually do something about it.Let me know your thoughts!

Fred McMiller ● 96d10 Comments ● 18d

Jane Austen at Acton Library

There will be a talk for JA's 250th anniversary at the library at 2pm on Tuesday, 27th May.

Susan Kelly ● 24d0 Comments ● 24d

funded online safety sessions

Hi parents! I’m a speaker with the Breck Foundation. We’re currently offering a limited number of fully funded PSHE sessions to schools across Greater London – and I’d love to see more local schools benefit.The Breck Foundation delivers age-appropriate sessions for students from Year 1 to Year 13, as well as talks for parents and teachers. We cover vital topics such as:Online safetyGrooming and exploitationDigital resilienceAnd how to stay safe in an ever-changing online worldThese sessions are designed to support your child’s well-being and fit into the school’s curriculum – and there’s no cost to the school, thanks to special funding. But this is only available for a limited time.🔹 Eligibility: Schools must be in the lowest 50% of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)📅 Sessions must be booked for dates between 1st June – 31st October 2025👉 You can read more about the sessions here:🔗 https://www.breckfoundation.org/speaker-sessions📝 If you'd like your child’s school to take part, please contact them and share this booking link:🔗 https://www.breckfoundation.org/booking-forms

Kerry Rusk ● 27d0 Comments ● 27d

Gov't to consult on removing planning committee decisions for developments of less than 10 homes.

The Developer's Free For All continues unabated, and aided & abetted by Liebore:-Government to consult on removing planning committee decisions for developments of fewer than ten homes.The government is set to consult on shifting the jurisdiction of planning committees for smaller housing schemes.This latest move builds on the proposals already laid out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is currently progressing through the House of Commons.While the Bill outlines a ‘national scheme of delegation’, giving planning officers the authority to approve schemes that align with local plans, it does not explicitly call for a wider removal of planning committee involvement in smaller developments.As reported by The Times, the government is expected to announce further elements of its planning reform agenda in the coming weeks. Among the most contentious is a consultation on removing council planning committees’ ability to “interfere in the vast majority of planning applications.”Planning minister Matthew Pennycook has confirmed that larger schemes will continue to go before committee. However, stripping planning committees of decision-making powers over swathes of smaller applications, he argues, will help streamline the system.“Some local authorities haven’t made these changes, they haven’t streamlined their process,” Pennycook told The Times. “And I think bringing that clarity and uniformity across the country… will help speed up the process.”https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/councils-to-lose-blocking-powers-in-boost-to-housebuilding-bpqm2l3xn

Rosco White ● 39d3 Comments ● 32d

Broadband recommendations

Moving from bt/ee.Mot huge usage so all suggestions welcome.Thanks.

Mark Frost ● 39d6 Comments ● 34d