BACKGROUND

The special architectural and historical interest of Ealing’s town centre is derived from the development of the centre as a commercial focus for the Borough in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, following the arrival of the railway in the 1850s.  A particular feature of the streetscape is the relationship between the Edwardian/Victorian buildings and open spaces in the centre of the town, in particular the common land at Haven Green, Ealing Green and Ealing Common.  Virtually all Ealing’s historic centre is covered by the Town Centre Conservation Area.  Except to the west, it is surrounded by other CAs that influenced its historical development and still provide its immediate setting, and because of this and the main railway line to the north, there is a strong boundary which marks its natural limit and restricts any spread.  

The main shopping area which lies along the curve of The Mall and The Broadway is characterised by several frontages which are locally listed as being of special interest, with a tight and compact rhythm punctuated by the prominent gables of the late Victorian/Edwardian three and four storey buildings, as noted by the Council’s Conservation Appraisal.[1]  This fine suburban grain and scale has been broken in the later 20^th century by a number of poor quality buildings, both on the central part of the main east-west axis and by blocks such as Villiers House.  These disfigure the town centre because they failed to relate to their surroundings and did not use materials traditionally employed in Ealing, where the prevalent architectural language of the centre remains red and stock brick.[2] 

Commercial buildings further along Uxbridge Road outside the conservation area are largely in a different vernacular and are visually separate from the historic centre.  They are frequently of poor design and character out of keeping with its style, and give a poor impression of the town when approached from the west. They also mark a clear division between Ealing Broadway and West Ealing, marking the latter as an individual centre in its own right.

AIMS

One of Ealing’s attractions is the character of its built environment.  The main objective should be to encourage changes which exploit this special character and identity.  It should recognise central Ealing as being a suburban town with an essentially human scale, instead of shoehorning it into the artificial construct of a Metropolitan Centre which conflicts with its physical and historic character. 

This requires a master plan which will govern all redevelopment proposals, and fit them into the strategic objectives elsewhere in this vision statement.  The plan should recognise the Management Plan for the conservation area, and contain inter alia

·        a tall buildings policy which respects the historic scale of the town

·        specific guidance on densities consistent with the status of  Ealing Broadway as an Urban rather than a Metropolitan Centre

·        recommendations on style and design suitable for the area.

PROPOSALS

We believe that future developments in the centre should:

1.     Preserve and enhance the existing townscape and historic character of the town and its conservation area, and respect its scale and open spaces.

2.     Replace buildings and other elements that currently have a negative impact upon the centre, in particular unsympathetic modern additions.

3.     Preserve key views and landmark elements of the townscape. New builds close to significant existing buildings or façades should complement them and contribute to their historic interest.

4.     Be attractively designed in their own right and of a scale, proportion and massing that respects the Victorian/Edwardian structure of Ealing.

5.     Provide public realm that is welcoming not intimidating to the visitor at any time of day and night.

6.     Ensure groups of new buildings give a distinctive character to the area and become recognisable landmarks that help orientation.

7.     Make communal green space with attractive views available for relaxation.

The table below sets out some specific recommended criteria.

Table 1