Councillor Blasts Plan to Demolish Noel Road Bungalow
Daniel Crawford describes decision as architectural vandalism
The bungalow on Noel Road that is to be demolished. Picture: Google Streetview
May 2, 2025
Plans to demolish a bungalow to make way for flats in Acton have been approved despite concerns from a local councillor. Ealing Council’s planning department gave the development the go-ahead on Thursday (1 May ).
The bungalow in Noel Road, Acton, will be replaced with five self-contained flats – four 2-bedroom flats and one 3-bedroom flat. Ward Councillor Daniel Crawford objected to the plans in August 2024.
He believed approval of the plans would attract other developers to ‘ruin an attractive and established set of local bungalows that have both architectural and historical merit’.
He said, “The demolition of the existing bungalow – which is in keeping [with local character] – would be an act of extreme architectural vandalism. I am conscious of the need for more high quality and affordable housing but this is an egregious case of over-development that will actually place even greater strain on residential amenity and community facilities due to a lack of planning and due regard for the residents in the area.
“I am concerned that this development, if granted, could set a precedent for future such proposals by predatory developers and ruin an attractive and established set of local bungalows that have both architectural and historical merit.”
A planning officer responded to the concerns raised by Cllr Crawford arguing that the plans are acceptable. They said: “Although the proposed development would not follow the pattern of the existing dwelling house, it would be in keeping with the surrounding properties on Noel Road.
“Moreover, considering the proposed design alterations, the proposed development would be considered acceptable in terms of design and scale. The existing dwelling house does not have a distinguished design, nor historical merit.”
The development design has been revised to improve the relation to local character, such as front facing balconies and porches being removed. It also has seen car parking removed in favour of cycle parking spaces.
The planning statement argued that the benefits of the proposal will outweigh the loss of the existing building by replacing an ‘unremarkable building atypical to this location’ with high quality housing.
Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter
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