Forum Topic

old Eversheds property. Wellmeadow Road, off Southdown Avenue

Just noticed sign outside the old Eversheds property, off Southdown Avenue, to be opened as a Seventh Day Adventist school.  Does anyone know if the immediate residents were consulted on change of use?? Am going to phone Ealing Council but in the meantime does anyone know anything about this?

Mary Devine ● 4825d54 Comments

It was nice to meet you last night and thanks again Nigel for all your help regarding this matter. I'm sure that we will be in touch again in the near future!!

Mary Devine ● 4465d

I forgot to add thanks also go to Mary Devine for raising this issue on the forum and who spoke on behalf of residents at the meeting

Nigel Bakhai ● 4465d

That's a good compromise, at least the much needed community sports facilities are retained.

Nigel Brooks ● 4465d

Dear AllFor your information, the planning committee this evening granted temporary permission for the school until July 31st 2015.At my request there were conditions added to retain community sports use, to provide showers/changing rooms and to limit pupil numbers to 100.RegardsNigel

Nigel Bakhai ● 4465d

Grrrr. Yet more public (well, largely public as it was well used every weekend) open space disappears.I guess though as it is w private property that it could have been much worse (nightclub or similar).

Nigel Brooks ● 4477d

Dear AllJust to let you know, the application for change of use of this site by the Eden School is due to go to the next planning committee on Wednesday 8th January and, in advance of the meeting, the committee will be visiting the site this Saturday at around 11am. For your information, planning officers are recommending approval and to grant temporary permission until the end of July 2015.RegardsNigel

Nigel Bakhai ● 4477d

Excellent, those playing field used to be busy every weekend. It would be terrible to lose them along with warren farm.

Nigel Brooks ● 4551d

I chased up the council to find out why the planning application for change of use of the old Eversheds site to a new school still hadn't been approved after 3 months. I have found out that Sport England have put in an objection to the loss of playing fields. The application is therefore currently on hold while the council try to come to an agreement with the planning agent for the developer and Sport England

Nigel Bakhai ● 4551d

I would recommend that everyone who received a letter from Ealing Council regarding The Eden School, Eversheds Sports Ground notification of planning application, please respond to the council with any comments that you may have.Below is the link to Ealing Council:http://www.pam.ealing.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlets : the planning application number is PP/2013/2709. Have your say now...

Mary Devine ● 4641d

But if you look at the school web site they want to change the school from a fee paying school of 40 to 60 pupils to a free school of 200 to 300 pupilsThey did not take this property just to stay the same size, once they get planning for a change of use, they will apply to extend the buildings and build new blocks.And while Ealing Council is struggling to find school places this will be approved very quickly.The people behind this are playing there cards very well and the local residence  will be the people who will end up suffering.We don't need another school as we have one already at the other end of the road

Declan Devine ● 4645d

This isn't a free school, it's currently a fee-paying faith school.

Nigel Brooks ● 4646d

as far as I know no consutation took place. We do not want free schools in this country, all schools should be in the public sector. Mr Gove is an idiot.

DENIS WILLIAM HAWKINS ● 4646d

I think it has just literally gone in, so probably hasn't gone through the whole system yet... will probably show up in the next couple of days.

Mary Devine ● 4648d

Nothing yet on the Ealing planning portal :-(

Nigel Brooks ● 4648d

I have just had confirmation from Nigel Bakhai that the school have submitted a new planning application for change of use to a school (PP/2013/2709)...FINALLY!!!!

Mary Devine ● 4648d

Nigel... I feel exactly the same..It's very frustrating getting the Planning Department to understand that, whilst I don't have a problem with the school being there, apart from the increased traffic in the neighbouring roads and also that the immediate neighbours weren't consulted in the first place.. I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THAT THEY HAVE GONE ABOUT IT.. JUST INSTALLING THEMSELVES INTO A VACANT BUILDING.. and effectively sticking two fingers up to any authority!!  That's my real gripe!!

Mary Devine ● 4675d

Evict them over the summer. No disruption to education and six/seven weeks to find a home with planning permission.It beggars belief quite how impotent our planning officials are. Reluctant my foot, can't be a**ed more like.This is an independent fee-paying school. They are not above the law - end of story.

Nigel Brooks ● 4675d

Nigel Bakhai emailed me a response from L B of Ealing "I can confirm that no application has been submitted and I have therefore chased the owners agent today.  I will await their response over the next couple of days but have a planning contravention notice ready for service if no response is forthcoming".  I have also since talked to Darran Eggleton from Ealing Council who told me, that the bottom line is, that they would be incredibly reluctant to evict the Seventh Day Adventist School, as it would detrimental to the children's education. He also intimated that the school were given previous advice from another independent party, who said they didn't need planning permission!!!! so I can only deduce that the Seventh Day Adventist School know exactly how to play the system... and Ealing Council will allow them to get away with it.. It really makes a mockery of the system doesn't it????

Mary Devine ● 4675d

I have just spent 15 minutes being on hold to Ealing Council, only to be informed by Customer Services that the Planning Department don't take calls, and that they will have to phone me back (could take upto 48 hours).  Whilst being on hold, I also emailed Nigel Bakhai to see if he had any news on this situation... If I hear anything further, will keep you informed.....

Mary Devine ● 4678d

Sorry, that should say 'due date'.

Nigel Brooks ● 4679d

Well the 'du date' has past - any news? Is the breach of use being enforced? If not, why not?

Nigel Brooks ● 4679d

Six days to go to get an application in, then I would demand enforcement if I were local.

Nigel Brooks ● 4689d

They make it up as they go along to suit themselves.

Tony Colliver ● 4696d

Makes planning enforcement a laughing stock and about as speedy as a snail on Prozac.

Nigel Brooks ● 4697d

The latest update is that the school STILL HASN'T applied for change of use permission.... BUT WAIT FOR IT..... Ealing Council's response is ......"Whilst no application has yet been received I was advised earlier today that the owner's planning agent intended to have the application submitted within the next two weeks. I therefore intend to allow this time for the application to be submitted but in the meantime, will consider the expediency of pursuing enforcement action should an application not be submitted".SURELY THIS PERMISSION IS VITAL TO THE SCHOOL'S FUTURE!!! HOW MANY MORE CHANCES DOES THIS SCHOOL DESERVE?????

Mary Devine ● 4697d

My pleasure, please keep us all posted.

Nigel Brooks ● 4705d

Yes, sorry Nigel Brooks, I did mean Nigel Bakhai.  I will also email him through the link you provided. It was just easier through the Ealing Forum as the history of the complaint is catalogued nicely. Appreciate your help Nigel.

Mary Devine ● 4705d

Mary, two Nigel's here and I assume that you mean Nigel Bakhai.I would suggest you contact him via the details on the Council's websitehttp://www.ealing.gov.uk/councillors/8/nigel_bakhai

Nigel Brooks ● 4705d

Nigel... before I ring Ealing Council- can you tell me if the school have managed to put in their application for change of use yet??? Thanks

Mary Devine ● 4705d

Back in 2007 Hounslow Council obtained a court order to evict the school from St Georges in Brentford.Before this the school had to leave The Feltham Assembly Hall.

David Squire ● 4744d

I am glad that, at least, there is now movement on this problem, especially as this should have been sorted out before now... I suppose it's WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!!

Mary Devine ● 4747d

So, potentially not within the statutory timescale.This gets better and better. I hope that planning enforcement are all over this 'like a rash'.I am sure that you will keep them 'on their toes' Nigel.

Nigel Brooks ● 4751d

I received an email from the head teacher last night. She said the school will be submitting a planning application by the end of April

Nigel Bakhai ● 4751d

That's great Nigel... hopefully the new owners will 'pull their finger' out now, and get the appropriate permission, and then (even though it's a little late)WILL CONSULT THEIR NEIGHBOURS.  Will contact Ealing Council and yourself once the 21 days are up. Thanks again for the update.

Mary Devine ● 4752d

I have now had a reply from the Planning Enforcement officer. He has issued a warning letter to the owners today reminding of their requirement to have planning permission for the change of use and advising them that if a planning application is not submitted within the next 21 days, the Council would be left with no alternative but to consider taking enforcement action.

Nigel Bakhai ● 4752d

Perhaps someone thought that there might be objections if anyone in the surrounding area was consulted?

Philippa Bond ● 4753d

Surely that's like closing the gate after the horse has bolted!!  I am confused how they have managed to take over the 'old Eversheds' building and just set up a school, without any permission from anyone???? Surely someone in authority knows whats going on?  or are they reluctant to tell us something we don't know!!!

Mary Devine ● 4753d

I am still waiting for a response from the planning department and I can contact the school to chase this up as well. So far, no-one in Southdown Avenue or anywhere else has been consulted about this change of use. I would expect the planning department will write to residents in the area around the school as soon as an application is received.

Nigel Bakhai ● 4753d

OK thanks for that Nigel.  I was unaware that you were one of the Elthorne Councillors.. As the school is in your ward, then can you not do anything more to either encourage the school to seek 'change of use' permission, or alternatively put pressure on Ealing Council to get it sorted.  Also can you tell me if anyone in Southdown Avenue was consulted over this?? as I certainly wasn't!!  Do I need to write to you through the proper channels about this??

Mary Devine ● 4753d

Mary- by the way I am one of the Elthorne councillors

Nigel Bakhai ● 4753d

Thanks Nigel for the update... it is really diabolical that they are allowed to get away with it.. especially as they don't seem to have even sought change of use permission from Ealing Council. I will be writing to the Elthorne Councillors for their take on this.. will keep you updated if I hear any news.

Mary Devine ● 4753d

Thanks Nigel, please keep us updated when there is anything to update.

Nigel Brooks ● 4754d

I wrote to the Planning department almost two weeks ago asking for an update. As of last week no planning application had been submitted by the school.

Nigel Bakhai ● 4754d

I have heard nothing Mary. Why not drop an e-mail to the Elthorne ward councillors for an update/ their comments.

Nigel Brooks ● 4754d

Is there any update on the proper planning permission being sought by the school?? It is ridiculous that you can open up an establishment, without FIRST acquiring the proper permission, especially when young children are involved.  What are Ealing Council doing?  They should fine the school, or alternatively give them a time limit to get their act together OTHERWISE THREATEN TO CLOSE THEM DOWN.  Why is it that law abiding citizens have to go through proper channels, yet other people think they are ABOVE THE LAW.

Mary Devine ● 4754d

Hmmm.No objection to the site being used as long as the correct permissions are obtained BEFORE use - which of course tthey were not.

Nigel Brooks ● 4820d

Yes, it is the same school. You may not have spotted that the story on their website is dated as October last year. In the meantime, they have moved into the Eversheds premises and the council have now made them aware of their responsibility to apply for planning permission for change of use.

Nigel Bakhai ● 4820d

Thank you Nigel.Can you confirm that this is the same school? It seems that they have assumed a fait accompli.http://www.theedenschool.com/list/new_building.php

Nigel Brooks ● 4820d

I can confirm that this matter is being investigated by the Planning Enforcement Team and that the Principal Officer in that team visited the site on 10th  January 2013 where he discovered the premises is currently being used by Eden School as an educational facility for up approximately 50 pupils. Officers have therefore determined that a change of use, and a breach of planning control, has occurred.  In order to address this breach of control officers have invited the owners of the site and the School Headteacher to submit a planning application seeking retention of the new use. They will advise me and the other ward councillors when the new application has been submitted.

Nigel Bakhai ● 4820d

If you hear anything further, please could you post it on the forum. I'm still waiting for Ealing Planning Department to email me back.  Thanks

Mary Devine ● 4822d

The Eden school was based in Northolt and closed just before Christmas. I have contacted the planning department to find out if they have applied for planning permission yet

Nigel Bakhai ● 4822d

Thanks for the information about the viruses, Nigel.  I know that there was talk and meetings with councillors and MP/police in July 2012 to open it up as a drinking premises with music, so I'm very surprised that it has suddenly been converted into a school.  I have emailed Ealing Council and am waiting for them to get back to me.  Thanks again. Mary

Mary Devine ● 4824d

Nothing in the planning archives that I can find.It was going to re-open a couple of years ago as the High5 sports and social club but nothing ever really happened.Beware if you search for details on Google, there are two sites relating to Eversheds 'relaunch'. Both are infected with virii, one of them particularly nasty.Let us know what you find out.

Nigel Brooks ● 4825d

Apologies... it's actually Wyke Gardens, off Southdown Avenue.

Mary Devine ● 4825d