Forum Topic

Is this Democracy?

Latest news on the projected Friary Park scene opposite the soon to be Cross Rail station in Acton.Ealing Council have loaned Catalyst Housing £30 million to help finance the deal. Of course the loan is only in principle until the completely independent Planning Committee makes the decision to accept or refuse the proposal.Where are the democratic checks and balances here? We hear that the Council is driving the type of development and the number if private apartments,  pushing for increased density, and insisting on the amount of social housing provided is kept to a minimum. Now we know they are financing the project and later they will be the people who accept the proposal on behalf of us all.I ask those of you who voted for this Council? Is this what you wanted? Full story is on the front page of Acton W3.

Maire Lowe ● 4000d5 Comments

Yes, exactly Arthur.  I am hopeful that she's our woman.  We must back her.

Angela White ● 3987d

Angela,Rupa is her own woman. I have a deal of respect for her and her integrity.I don't know what she can do. The planning process in other areas does broker a compromise between application and residents. Something here is broke and we need to fix it. If she can do that then wow.

Arthur Breens ● 3990d

I do fear that a vote for Rupa Huq, Labour, was a vote for supporting our out-of-control Labour-led Council.  However, she has said she would fight for preserving and protecting our area's quintessential suburban character, so I do hope she's able to stand up to these greedy developers and masquerading-as-socialist-Council.  Friary Green Residents' Association had a meeting with her this week and we're very hopeful that she can broker a platform for compromise between developers, Council and residents.

Angela White ● 3991d

I have a tear in my eye too.

Arthur Breens ● 3994d

Our Council should be ashamed of the way they govern this Borough on a number of issues. I cannot remember voting for any other party other than LABOUR. I now feel my vote had been wasted over the past 50+ Years. Many a time i had thought another party could do better,but come the day of voting i was willing to trust the party now in power, believing they would be better in keeping all their promisesthey so charmingly made.Will they ever change and support real Democracy.? ONLY WHEN IT SUITS THEM.

Os A Whittle ● 3994d