Forum Topic

COVID-19: Green space should be a priority in local plans

"The social distancing measures implemented to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) has highlighted the 'critical importance' of high-quality green spaces within housing developments, says Ecological Planning & Research Ltd (EPR)."Will this cause a volte face and implementation of a total reversal and rethinking regarding BellEnd's determination to destroy Ealing & Acton with Towers?  Not a chance.https://www.planningportal.co.uk/news/article/706/planning_news_-_7_may_2020?utm_source=PPQ+Newsletter&utm_campaign=2ef89a6724-Newsletter_16042020_HTML_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_734e0b63a9-2ef89a6724-7282665#two

Rosco White ● 1928d6 Comments

I have experienced the ferocious winds at 14th floor on the existing towers in Nort Acton. The 55th floor roof garden will almost be in the jet stream.

Robert Murray ● 1922d

Under any epidemic restrictions these communal roof gardens, which are intended to replace individual external spaces, would be sealed off and out of action. Time to change the planning guidelines.

Peter Evans ● 1923d

4 Portal Way, 55 storeys, will have a roof terrace of some 875msq for est. 1,270 people. Their nearest Green Space is North Acton playing Fields, across the A40, which they will share with some 16,000 persons form North Acton "new" build and Friary Park and the established community of West Acton.

Libby Kemp ● 1924d

Agreed.  Bigger properties, with more space esp for individual work stations, proper balconies or access to (uncemented) parks.

Jacqueline Cloake ● 1925d

And if there's to be an increased expectation that people will work at home, then new builds will have to be bigger and reconfigured accordingly.

Peter Evans ● 1926d

I wonder what will be in the proposed Building Bill.  There should be a lot of concerns about safety in tower blocks in particular.  There are still so many that have not been put right post Grenfell and the other fires.  We have some knee-jerk new regulations but still work to be done. With need buildings that make their own electricity rather than create a need for masses of it - and reduce the need  for it as much as possible due to design.  With very small rooms there is a real need to find outdoor green space nearby.

Philippa Bond ● 1926d