Forum Topic

Secret planning application for South Ealing social centre?

There are no signs on display around the Assyrian Centre in South Ealing about its planning application to massively expand. I though it was normal to display information on lamp posts near the premises concerned? Some local residents have had questionnaires but not all.Why is this all being done in "secret"?(The Assyrian Centre is the crumbling corner site between Temple Road and South Ealing Road behind the bus stop.)

Ben Oster ● 4703d10 Comments

“By their nature, planning applications do not always gain total support of everyone, but our process is transparent and operates to the highest ethical standards, with all interested parties invited to put forward their views for consideration.  All complaints about planning, or any council services, are dealt with according to our robust complaints procedure and help us to improve the services we provide. Our records show that in the last year there has been a 44% decrease in the number of planning complaints, along with significant and consistent decline over the past few years.''This quote was attributed to the Council Leader recently in an article on here. Is that right? It doesn't make sense.

Philippa Bond ● 4694d

Objecting won't cut the ice, it's more more or less a done deal.It's supported by the policy on ethnic inclusion and South Ealing is considered too white middle class and thus needs to have an ethnic balance introduced to serve the minorities in the area. (of which there are quite a few).It is the first of several local applications forthcoming and will almost certainly be recommended by the planning officers in accordance with policy.As it offers a rejuvenation to the area and a local focus on local activities this is more than likely most welcome by most. I suspect the forthcoming Mosque and Islamic centre proposal for Ealing Fields will be less welcome.

Michael Brandt ● 4696d

We didn't receive  a copy of the letter but a good neighbour did and passed it to us.Why do they need to build a new venue such as this when there is one planned for Ealing Broadway at the old cinema location? Also there are plenty of venues in Ealing that could be hired out for larger events.The parking in the area is challenging at the best of times, and as Joseph's letter rightly states there will be lots of other issues too - anti-social behaviour, alcohol related issues, noise levels . Don't forget also that there are two schools very close by - what affect will it have on the children ?A lot of the residents are elderly or families with young children - to live in fear of extra noise and large crowds in a small concentrated area needs to be considered.As someone said earlier it used to be a temple - maybe the heritage of that should be retained and respected - if they want to party - go to Ealing Broadway !Why has Ealing council allowed the extension of the kitchen without proper planning permission? If they cannot be trusted in the smaller parts of the extension how can Assyrian House persons responsible be trusted to comply with a major planning development.Very convenient for them local residents are only finding out about it in half term and withdays to go to object.Let's hope Ealing Council can at the very least delay this until proper planning and consultation has taken place.

Carmen Moor ● 4697d

Act soonGood neighbour Joseph Forsyth has brought to my attention through a letter circulated to neighbours in the area of the Assyrian Centre this bank holiday weekend that there is only a very short time left to comment on the planning application. He is doing what the planning department clealry cannot or does not want to: consulting local people on this project.He points out: "You have only four days left to object to such an out of place scheme. Consultations end 31.05.2013. You can do that by sending an email to (this would be the fastest option): planning@ealing.gov.uk (the reference number is P/2013/1087 - The Assyrian House) or write to: Planning Department, Ealing Council, Perceval House, Uxbridge Road, London W5 2HL."His is the first information that I have received through my letter box on this scheme. even though I live on one of the ajoining streets I have had nothing from the council planning department, nor seen any signs in the vicinity. He sums up the situation very well: " Dear Neighbour, It has been brought to my attention through EalingToday a planning application for a Massive Extension of the Assyrian Community House which is located at the corner of Temple Road and South Ealing Road. The proposed use of the building is for D2 (which allows the use of the premises as Cinemas, Music & Concert Halls, Dance, bingo halls, casinos and other leisure uses).The monstrous proposal will bring the used area of the existing building to three times its present one. And it will incorporate: Two large function rooms, (one of which will take around 500 people). A restaurant of 66 tables, classroom, 2 bars, stage, and leisure facilities.The Assyrian community originates from Iraq and is not to be confused with terrorist groups. The Building, however, will not br used solely by this community members will be rented out to others for music concerts, parties, etc........ This was made clear in their planning application.Such scheme, looking totally out of place with massive glass windows, will produce chaos, noise, disturbance and above all huge parking problems in the area.The problem areas are related to:*Design and external appearance: The extension is massive covering the whole ground area with glass panels on all elevations - totally out of place and not in harmony with the neighbouring buildings.*Noise nuisance. Having a restaurant, and two huge function halls which they could use and hire for the purpose of banquets, concert, live music, bars, etc... will create noise nuisance for all our neighbours.*Traffic & Parking issues: the design does not incorporate any parking spaces. The place is presently used by 20-40 people and they park on the pavements and occupy most of the residents permits spaces. What will happen when there is Half a Thousand people using the place??!! It will be a parking circus.*Increase in the D2 Use: nearly 3 times. From the plans submitted to the council, The area of existing hall is 3,000 sq feet. The extension is in excess of 5000 sq feet.Please note that the present occupiers of the building have already built a kitchen with no proper ventilation and a large extension to the rear of the property without any planning application.

Muriel Bridger ● 4697d

Having looked at the Design & Access Plan from the link provided here, I think the proposals look good.  This lovely building has been neglected and apart from the rear part of the extension that, to me, looks a bit oversized in relation to No2 Temple Rd (although I dont live in Temple Rd so totaly up to the residents!), I can't see any problem with the Assyrian community having a building they can be proud of for their own daily use and also a building that can pay its way as a venue. It looks as if the architects have thought very carefully how the designs sit in relation to the surrounding area.

Natasha Manganaro ● 4703d

The Assyrians have been here in Ealing a long time originally based in an office in Lamertons old building.They are not to be confused or even tainted with extremist Muslim groups or activists.So it's prudent to set aside any prejudices and misconceptions and look at the building proposals in the same light as any other.The Building in South Ealing Road /Temple Road is the Temple from which Temple Road gets it's name.It was a classic village hall type community building which has been neglected and lost a lot of it's distinctive features over the last 20 years or so.But it is a building of merit and very much part of the architecture/heritage style of the local district.Temple Road is also the first road in the loosely defined Heritage Quarter of Ealing.I cannot get the link to work so can't comment on the proposals, but if it involves any sort of demolition or replacement, it should be refused.Incidentally, a building is being constructed on a junction 150m in a side street opposite the Temple on the edge of Lilac Gardens I think.Interesting building,  but wholly out of keeping with the rest of the residential area and just looks completely out of place. The sort of thing one would usually expect in Hounslow.

Michael Brandt ● 4703d

Sign my petition and raise it publicly at a meeting with planner;http://www.ealingtoday.co.uk/default.asp?section=info&link=http://nnet-server.com/server/common/eaplanning003.htm

Benjamin Dennehy ● 4703d

uch fuller details are here:http://www.pam.ealing.gov.uk/PlanNet/documentstore%5CDC11125907-10-00015_130324_9_01_1.PDF

Nigel Brooks ● 4703d

D2 = Cinemas, music and concert halls, dance, sports halls, swimming baths, skating rinks, gymnasiums, other indoor and outdoor sports and leisure uses, bingo halls, casinos.    http://p4l.co.uk/guidtocomuse.html

Tony Colliver ● 4703d

I had always thought that this building was some kind of mini cab company due to the cars parked up on the pavements at night around it and the groups of men associated with these cars sitting out under a roof at the front of it.Clearly it is not. Does it mean, though, lots more illegal parking if the premises get extended as there are no existing parking spaces according to the current planning application nor in the proposed plans even though there is a car parking area in the front courtyard of the site with space for half-a-dozen cars? So what exactly is happening here? It is a pretty unappealing bunker-like windowless building that has had some outhouses built onto the back of it in the past couple of years for which I can find no planning applications.Interesting, the planning application is for the Assyrian Community centre which is listed as number one Temple Road which Ealing Councils planning department describes as "ASSYRIAN HOUSE SOUTH EALING ROAD EALING W5 4SL.The proposal is for First floor side extensions and extension of roof to create first floor, for additional D2 use (whatever D2 use is).Decision PENDING.I have not seen any planning notices around it or near it either.

Nadeem Singh ● 4703d