The case for a Conservation Area in Northfields
In his piece dated 9 January, Roger Jarman rejects the idea of making Northfields into a conservation area (CA). Like Roger, I have lived in Northfields for around 40 years, and I disagree with much of what he says (see my comments on his thread). As the author of the original proposal, I would like to put the arguments in favour.The public consultation of 2022 covered all of Ealing’s 29 conservation areas. More than half of the responses related to the proposal for a CA in Northfields and more than four out of five of those were in favour. Why was that? The external consultant hired by Ealing Council to report on the consultation noted that many of the Northfields responses expressed ‘a love of the neighbourhood, its sense of belonging and community, a village-like atmosphere and independent shops and cafes’. CA designation would reinforce Northfields’ identity as a desirable place to live, with the associated benefit for residents of enhanced property prices. So popular are existing Ealing CAs among residents, that many have objected strongly to proposals to de-designate their streets as part of the boundary changes proposed by the CA review. Northfields’ owes its character in part to the unity and coherence of the area’s architecture as well as individually listed buildings. But change is in the air. At the public meeting last November, former councillor Linda Burke warned that Northfields could succumb to development pressure like the Draytons, the area around West Ealing station. Ealing Council’s emerging Local Plan identifies the area covered by the Northfields CA as an Area of Intensification. In addition, it specifies Northfields Allotments as a Strategic Area for Regeneration and an Opportunity Area. Furthermore, developments of up to 6 storeys would be permissible anywhere in the area – that’s three times the height of most of what is there now, enough to destroy its character. As a so-called ‘material consideration’ in planning decisions, making Northfields a conservation area would help to protect what we love about the place. You can find out more about the proposal at: https://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/201042/current_consultations/3225/conservation_area_consultationThe Council is currently consulting with all those affected by the proposal. You can respond by email to localplan@ealing.gov.uk (the Council’s preferred method of response) or by post to Strategic Planning Team, Ealing Council, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, London W5 2HL. The closing date is 31 January 2024. This will help to decide whether Northfields becomes a conservation area or not, so please do have your say.
Kay Garmeson ● 105d0 Comments