Ealing Council block scheme to build on park space
The green space on St Dunstan's Avenue that would be built on. Picture: Google Streetview
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A park in Acton has been saved after plans to build a care home on the land were rejected.
St Dunstan’s Gardens in Acton has been preserved after Ealing Council refused permission for a 52-bed care home to be built over it.
Announcing the decision to reject the plans on Friday (8 April) , the council said the proposed “boutique” care home could not be built on St Dunstan’s Gardens because the park was designated public open space.
The council also said the proposals, put forward by town planning consultants Urbana Town Planning on behalf of developers Leo Acton, would put too much pressure on the area’s transport network.
According to Ealing, the planned care home’s size, appearance and layout would be out of keeping with the surrounding area and would set “a harmful precedent for future development”.
Documents submitted to the council ahead of its decision show that the rejected care home would have provided care to elderly, dementia and nursing patients.
The council’s decision to reject the planned care home came after nearly 800 residents voiced their objections to the proposals with many angry at the potential loss of green space.
Writing before the council issued its decision, one resident said, “This is an absolute travesty. This land has been used by the community and should be treated as such by the Council.”
Another resident wrote, “This is already a busy residential area. This triangle of greenery is the only one in our close neighbourhood, it would be a shame to be deprived of it with yet another building.”
A third resident said: “If this passes planning, it will totally destroy the character of the area and we will lose an important green space for residents.”
Speaking after Ealing’s decision to reject the plans, Councillor for Acton Central Daniel Crawford said, “I’m delighted that we can continue to use that space and it will remain undisturbed for the benefit of the local community.”
He added, “Where we can we look to safeguard things that are assets to the local community, and I really thank Acton’s residents for stepping up on this one, and saying with one voice, that they value these community gardens.”
Urbana Town Planning declined to comment.
Ealing Council and Leo Acton have been approached for comment.
Lisa Haseldine – Local Democracy Reporter
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April 11, 2022
