Arcadia


The Arcadia site covers the area between Ealing Broadway station and Christchurch, except for the Carphone Warehouse and Sainsburys stores on the Broadway. The developer Glenkerrin wanted to demolish all existing buildings and erect seven blocks of between seven and 26 storeys, bridging the railway to bring the frontages up to the edge of Haven Green. The scheme was revised to re-design the controversial "Leaf" building after the initial public consultation, and some pictures produced of the visual impact of the new designs are attached.

The development would have been largely residential, with 567 units, but with about 50% more retail space (shops, cafes and restaurants). There were 352 car parking spaces in a two-level basement accessed from Springbridge Road, 230 for the flats and 122 for retail and commercial uses including 7 disabled, and 631 cycles spaces.

The application was approved by Ealing's Planning Committee in December 2008. In January 2009 the Secretary of State decided to "call in" the application for Ministerial decision. An Inspector was appointed to hold a Public Inquiry, which opened on 23 June and ran for 11 days. His report was submitted in November, and the decision by the Secretary of State was announced on 7 December.

Impression of the proposed development from Haven Green

Previous items

13.7.09: SEC represented at Public Inquiry

11.7.09: Letter of thanks to supporters

23.6.09: SEC appeal for help

9.4.2009: Email to supporters

10.2.2009: Secretary of State intervenes

14.2.2008: Report by CABE

January 2008: Planning application withdrawn by Glenkerrin

Top Planners' reaction

21.12.2007: English Heritage Advice

Visual Impact

Find out more

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Secretary of State rejects Arcadia scheme

Save Ealing's Centre is delighted the Secretary of State has decided that Glenkerrin's Arcadia development is not to go ahead.

This has proved that our decision to oppose the scheme at the Public Inquiry was entirely justified and that we were able effectively to represent the many residents who opposed it.

We will examine their reports carefully but we are very encouraged that both the Secretary of State and the Inspector see that the scheme was wrong for the centre of Ealing. They have concurred with the arguments that SEC made from the start.

Through its costly support for the scheme Ealing Council has appeared badly out of touch - both with planning experts nationally and with the community. This decision means that we all have a chance to start again but with a more participative approach. In the coming months SEC wants to work with present and prospective local representatives to see if we can develop a joint vision for a town centre that meets everybody's aspirations.

For the Arcadia site, this means a scheme that takes fully into account the need for an integrated public transport interchange at Ealing Broadway station and one that properly respects the character and the scale of Haven Green.

We thank the thousands of SEC supporters who helped us in so many ways in our battle and who generously donated towards the legal representation which won the case. Today's decision belongs to you all.

7 Dec 2009