New Hope For Oaks Opponents

Oaks Action Group given one last chance to put case to lawyers

Opponents of the Oaks development have been given another chance to put their case to the courts.

Earlier this month they were disappointed after failing to secure a Judicial Review, but the Oaks Action Group (OAG) have been granted an oral hearing at the High Court.

The controversial plan to build 142 homes (nine storey building) a multi-storey car park and new retail space in the town centre has already been approved and despite opposition and appeals neither the Mayor or Department for Communities and Local Government called the application in.

OAG started the legal battle with Ealing Council over the process involved in the planning decision which they believe is at fault.

Earlier this month a High Court judge rejected their case for a judicial review and ordered the claimant to pay Ealing Council’s legal costs of £2,435.

Now however OAG have been told they have been given leave to appeal and will do so in an oral hearing at the High Court - no date as yet.

Doug Carnegie from the campaign group says they have factual evidence which they will present including the 'highly suspect' substitution of one planning committee councillor who was against the scheme - for another - who was in favour.

'' So often in our campaign our optimism has been dented despite being based on hard-headed evidence that Ealing planners had ignored their own rules to approve The Oaks plan. When English Heritage describe it as sub-standard, we thought we'd be listened to. When the Council's own Conservation Officer damned it in her own words as oppressive and overbearing, detrimental, poor, incoherent, inarticulate, and offering an awkward future for the site, we thought they'd think again. But the Council seems committed to getting much-needed development at any price.''

''We hope this time a Judge at the hearing will live up to the process - and listen.''

Council Leader, Councillor Julian Bell, believes Ealing Council has done nothing wrong and previously said:

'... we have always been confident that the correct process was followed to grant permission for the Oaks development.'

We have asked for comment from Ealing Council regarding these latest developments.

July 17th 2014