English Heritage has delivered a stinging attack on Glenkerrin’s plans for a major mixed-use development in Ealing, West London. In a letter to Ealing Council the government’s historic environment watchdog has labeled the plans, which include the Foster & Partners designed 40-storey ‘Ealing Broadway Leaf’ tower, as ‘detrimental’, ‘out of context’ and ‘in the wrong place.’

The wrong location

‘English Heritage strongly objects to the proposal and the impact upon the character or appearance of the conservation areas and the wider historic environment,’ says the letter from English Heritage’s historic buildings and areas adviser Will Reading.

‘The proposed development would materially change the character of Ealing.

‘Given the lack of precedent and the established suburban character, it is considered that this is the wrong location for a development of this scale.’

The £400m scheme, which would create 704 flats and 225,000 sq ft of retail space, is objected to because of the scale of the six buildings which vary between two and 40-storeys. The established building height in the area is just six-storeys.

Local historic views

English Heritage also objects to the scheme at the 4.2-acre site because of the impact on local historic views such as Pitshanger Manor and the grade II listed church and town hall.

‘The local authority are advised to recommend refusal for planning permission, and refusal of conservation area consent for the demolition of buildings on the site in the absence of an appropriate scheme for redevelopment,’ the letter concludes.

The scheme is expected to go before Ealing council next month. Glenkerrin were unavailable to comment.

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