Leaf Gets Pruned

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But will new designs cut it with critics

 

The controversial Leaf may have had some drastic pruning before being resubmitted to the public, but will the trim new designs fit the bill?

Under the reworked scheme, which was unveiled last Friday, a new slimline tower, designed by Foster and Partners, has taken the place of the original 40-storey Leaf building (pictured).

                     

The scheme's 'finger blocks' have also been scaled down as part of Glenkerrin's aim to reduce the height of towers throughout the scheme by around 40 per cent. And the housing element has also been reduced from 700 homes to 560.

The step-down follows fierce opposition from campaign group Save Ealing's Centre, as well as from CABE and English Heritage. And there appears to be a general consensus that their criticisms have been heard.

"Save Ealing’s Centre (SEC) can see that Glenkerrin have taken on board some of the complaints about, and objections to, their earlier planning application for the Arcadia Centre site," said an SEC spokesperson. "However, the changes which Glenkerrin have made are more to do with the presentation than the substance of the proposed development." 

Glenkerrin Chief Executive, Ray Grehan, told press: "Local people expressed a range of concerns when we presented our initial proposals. We have listened and taken on board the comments."

                     

But does this go far enough? SEC still feel Ealing Council should be steering the project, with a unified approach to the fragmented redevelopment of Ealing.

"The architects at the exhibition accepted that Ealing does not have a master plan, and that the Council is relying on developers to create one. SEC fundamentally disagrees with this approach," said the SEC spokesperson. "Ealing needs to create its own master plan, and all planning proposals for the centre of Ealing must be reviewed against this plan.

"Crossrail, Dickens Yard and all the Glenkerrin plans for the Arcadia Centre and Ealing Broadway Station sites have to work together as a whole and to be considered together, not individually. Otherwise, development in the centre of Ealing will be piecemeal and uncoordinated, and will not meet the needs of the community."

But from Ealing Broadway Bid's Chair, Peter Smith, the message is simple - support the proposals or watch Ealing decline even further, with a reminder of the knock on effects of White City about to hit Ealing's retailers.

"The Glenkerrin proposals offer a fresh look at a really important opportunity for the future of the town centre," said Peter. "These will dovetail into the new Crossrail Station and will reaffirm Ealing’s metropolitan status at a time when the town has been losing out to its competitors. This leakage will accelerate with the opening of Westfield White City in October this year."

"These are ambitious proposals and I hope residents and businesses will now start to share the vision and support the scheme."

Smith believes the proposals offer a "worthy setting for a renewed town centre which will once again be able to compete with its peers in West London." What do you think? Have your say on the EalingToday forum

August 7, 2008