Julian Bell and senior officers to attend property conference in South of France

A delegation from Ealing Council including the Council Leader Julian Bell are to attend a property conference in the South of France with their costs being paid for by a consortium of companies including those recently given permission for a controversial redevelopment in the centre of Ealing according to Private Eye magazine.

The annual MPIM conference is taking place in Cannes from 15-18 March with property developers from all over the world expected to attend. It is described by the Eye as a ‘Booze ‘n’ Hookerfest’ although it is regularly attended by boroughs from across the UK seeking to attract investment into their area.

Reportedly, the cost of the trip is being picked up partly by Benson Elliot and Londonewcastle who are developing the 1.5 acre site in the centre of Ealing. As well as Julian Bell, Private Eye says in its Rotten Boroughs column that Ealing’s directors of regeneration, housing and planning will also be attending.

Developers Benson Elliot and Londonewcastle plan to overhaul 9-42 The Broadway building flats (including an 18-storey block), shops, a music venue and promises of a 'boutique' cinema.

The plans for 9-42 The Broadway, described as a ' dystopian nightmare' by opponents were approved at a council meeting last week.

When asked by a resident whether there was any conflict of interest in this arrangement, the borough's legal officer reportedly said ' I am confident that there will be no impropriety in consideration of the application.'

An Ealing council spokesperson said, “MIPIM is the main property exhibition in Europe and is an efficient way to meet thousands of developers,  investors , designers and contractors under one roof so we can highlight the investment opportunities within the borough. Attracting inward investment makes the local economy stronger and helps to secure decent jobs and homes for local people.  Financial prudence and a growth in business rates are among the reasons we were only one of nine boroughs in the country able to freeze council tax this year. 

''The council has attended this event for a number of years under both Conservative and Labour control and gets sponsorship from, land owners, businesses, housing associations and universities so we are able to go at no cost to local tax payers. Councillor Bell and officers have also taken part in the 1,500km charity cycle ride to the event to raise thousands of pounds for children’s charity Coram. This sponsorship in no way influences the planning committee’s decisions.  The committee is a quasi-judicial body made up of elected councillors, none of whom attend the conference or work with developers on the council’s behalf.”

A CGI image of the planned Haven Place development

March 10, 2016