Forum Topic

The Mayor and Tall buildings with only one staircase

The recent decision by the Mayor to prempt legislation requiring tall buildings to have more than one staircase has been welcomed by Friary Park campaigners. We applaud Steve Donnelly (Lab) for speaking so articulately against the application to add another tall tower, and Julian Gallant (Con) for being the lone voice on the Planning Committee to vote against. Here is a piece in the Ealing Times just published.https://ealing.news/

Maire Lowe ● 673d14 Comments

Not good of course that Rupa has not been back to your friend about her problems but her attendance at the Friary Park event wasn't necessarily an endorsement of the scheme. She campaigned against it during the planning process. There was no reason residents who have been experiencing problems couldn't have approached her there to ask for her help.

Mark Evans ● 595d

Perverse isn't it, we have a "Socialist" party in power at LBE dealing with all these Housing Associations.

Rosco White ● 601d

Thank you Maire and Rosco for your advice and kind words. I have emailed Kate so hopefully she can help.The situation goes from bad to worse every week, it’s really shocking. My friend is very resourceful and has very little material possessions so it’s frustrating to see that they are so unwilling to cooperate. She salvaged everything she possibly could from the flat, including a sofa that had been sitting for weeks in the smell. For the rest of the furniture, they offered her second hand items from a meeting room in Ealing councils office.  There’s so much more that’s been going on but I won’t post everything publicly as it’s not my situation.But you might be amused to hear that when she reported the issue (the same day she moved in) she was told that it was due to wipes being flushed down the toilet and this is common for first and second floor flats. At that time, I believe there were only a handful of people living in the block. So goodness knows what will happen when the rest of the flats are occupied.Also Rosco I agree re transparency. My friend tried getting in touch with Rupa - no answer of course and a few days later she turned up at an event celebrating the success of the new estate. Again I’m lost for words.

Isabel Razack ● 601d

Isabel R, I sympathise with your friend's unimaginably horrible and dire situation. Many of us feel very sorry for all the innocent people who have had Catalyst thrust upon them, it's not as if numerous "issues" weren't reported on and previously prophesied for quite some time.Hard questions need to be asked and acceptable answers given regarding the deep connections running between Catalyst and LBE Councillors, Management and Staff.But, of course, that will never happen - you/we are just Little People and Pawns.I sincerely hope you and your friend didn't, (and won't) vote Local Council Labour.I suggest there is only the legal option if you actually want anything much to happen. Following Complaints "procedures" plays directly into their hands and they can string you along for years.

Rosco White ● 601d

That is a very sad and outrageous story. I'm amazed the Catalyst emergency line was down at all, and would suggest she immediately speak to Katherine Crawford who is one of her Councillors and very sympathetic.  She should surely represent your friend to Catalyst whose problem this is. You ca  find Kate's details on the Ealing Council website.

Maire Lowe ● 602d

My friend has recently (begrudgingly) moved into the new flats on the estate and there are so many issues (operational and structural). I’m shocked that they’ve even started moving people into the building. It certainly doesn’t feel very safe. As of April (and maybe even now), emergency service dispatchers weren’t able to locate the property due to the new postcode not being updated.  Within 5 days of moving in my friend lost practically her whole life’s belongings due to sewage erupting from the toilet and bath. The Catalyst emergency phone line was down over the long bank holiday (when the issue started), leaving her and her 13 year old daughter homeless for 4 days. Catalyst have shown very little interest in assisting her. Rupa Huq has also ignored her emails.If anyone can point me in the right direction re having her belongings replaced it would be most appreciated. Apologies for all the information but I’m desperately trying to find the right support for my friend, be it legal or practical.

Isabel Razack ● 602d

"Does everyone understand that the proposed Local Plan removes protection from Acton open spaces?" ........ No, because 99.5% of the Borough Electorate go about their daily business with their heads up their rear orifice, not even their ears show.Still, we can firmly trust Labour controlled LBE, they have exceptional form on "trust" ....... 😂

Rosco White ● 624d

Well the second staircase has been inserted and the plans have gone to the Mayor. I'm no expert so maybe I was wrong to expect them to return to Committee first, to give Members another chance to vote on the siting of this second staircase as well as the open space requirements. Does everyone understand that the proposed Local Plan removes protection from Acton open spaces? That would be Acton Park, Springfield Gardens, North Acton playing fields. Permission to allow building on these spaces would follow. Is this what you want for yourselves and your families?

Maire Lowe ● 653d

Steve Donnelly used to be on the Planning Committee, until Peter Mason replaced Julian Bell as Ealing Council Leader, in May 2021. Then Peter Mason appointed him to his cabinet, being responsible for the "Inclusive Economy".

Anthony Hawran ● 672d

He used to be on the Planning Committee, until Peter Mason replaced Julian Bell as Ealing Council Leader, in May 2021. Then Peter Mason appointed him to his cabinet, being responsible for the "Inclusive Economy".

Anthony Hawran ● 672d

Thank you Maire, as I thought.And as for the LibDems, they are just "Labour Lite", they nearly always vote "Grant" for Towers and support their Labour "Brothers" on the Planning Committee.Also, I think a bit of realism may be required here for "balance":-1/ It's easy for a Labour Ward Councillor/s to speak out against a Development, if they're not actually on the Planning Committee. They have Zero influence.2/ It's easy for a Conservative Ward Councillor/s to speak out against a Development, if they're severely outnumbered on the Planning Committee. Finally, I am reminded of one Labour Ward Councillor, who was on the Planning Committee for quite a long time, and who always voted "Grant", especially for the myriad Towers. However as soon as they left the Planning Committee, they magically became a strong supporter of "Stop the Towers"!  😂I don't think the good denizens of Ealing Borough who understand and appreciate what is going on have any faith any more in any of the parties at Council level in our Borough.

Rosco White ● 673d

Sadly the Lib Dem on the committee voted for it. I hope he regrets it now.

Chris Hurley ● 673d

No Roscoe. Steve is a Councillor representing East Acton and spoke against the Application. I know he was representing the views of the other two Councillors for the ward. They were both outside the Town Hall on the night talking to residents. Julian Gallant was the only Conservative on the Committee.

Maire Lowe ● 673d

Is Steve Donnelly on the Planning Committee?

Rosco White ● 673d