Fury at Council Approval of Demolition of Perryn Road Houses |
|
Residents overwhelmingly objected to plan in Conservation Area
There has been a furious reaction from local residents after the council approved the demolition of two semi-detached Victorian houses in Perryn Road. Numbers 10 and 12 are to be replaced by a new development including eight flats despite over 170 objections to the proposal and it being in the Acton Park Conservation area. Crendain Developments Ltd will be building an apartment block with two one bedroom and six two bed room flats. The two houses are currently divided up into five flats. Number 10 was sold in October 2016 for £1,800,000 and number 12 changed hands in June 2018 for £1,520,000. Both properties were the subject of an earlier application which was refused. Residents objecting to the scheme claim that there were only minor alterations made in the latest design. The developer defended the proposal in a statement issued with the application which said, “The proposed development fully encompasses the character of the properties within this part of the Acton Park Conservation Area and proposes to regenerate a site within the conservation area that is of low quality and detracts from its quality as a result of the significant number of low-quality, poorly designed alteration over the decades.” It is further claimed that the two houses are 'not strong examples' of Victorian architecture compared to other buildings in the area.
There were 176 comments made to the application which were overwhelmingly negative including one from ward councillor Kate Crawford which said, “If this application received planning permission it would drastically alter the character of this location and fail to conserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Acton Park Conservation Area. This particular section of Perryn Road has fine examples of Victorian and early Edwardian houses which been well preserved. Both 10 and 12 properties have been allowed to go into a neglected state but they are sound buildings an require renovation and not demolition. “The proposal to extend the rear extension beyond the building line of neighbouring properties remains a concern. The inclusion of balconies and roof terraces would not only allow overlooking n but by going beyond the building line would allow overlooking to be closer and across neighbouring properties resulting in loss of privacy at an unacceptable degree. “I am also concerned that this proposal would undermine the setting of the nearby Grade 2 listed buildings, the Goldsmiths Almshouses and would fail to conserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Acton Park Conservation Area.” Many of those objecting claimed that this application was just the initial stage of a bigger plan to develop on the allotment behind Shaa Road which is currently disused. Others have suggested that the process of removing the Conservation Area by stealth is taking place. The proposal was approved by the Ealing borough planning committee pending agreement on Section 106 payments. There is no right of appeal for objectors.
December 31, 2020
|