Arcadia Centre Rejected

In what is a huge blow to the regeneration of the centre of Ealing, the Communities Secretary, John Denham, has refused planning permission to proposals by Glenkerrin for a new urban quarter.

The masterplan by HKR called the Arcadia Centre, featured an 82 metre tall tower designed by Foster + Partners, the scheme has proven controversial thanks to the objections of many residents in Ealing who felt it was too tall and overshadowed the nearby Haven Green.

This is despite the previous plans for what was dubbed "The Leaf" being replaced due to their height and the current design being a compromise aimed at getting planning permission in a hostile local political environment.

In making his decision Denham cited the effect that the development would have on the local conservation area and nearby listed Church of Christ the Saviour, and that despite the many practical improvements the development offered such as good quality design, plenty of affordable housing and much-needed improvements at ground level, the overall impact of project that would reduce the attractiveness of Ealing town centre was enough to reject it.

Denham's decision marks the first time in the entire history of the New Labour government that a decision has been taken against approving a tall building.

The proposals had been supported by the Commission of Architecture and Built Environment, and also by London Mayor Boris Johnson who had done a volte-face in getting behind it following his campaign against tall buildings whilst running for mayor.

Where Glenkerrin goes from here is anyone's guess, but it seems unlikely they will be able to propose a tall building on this site again, and the inability to do so will of course, change the economics of the rest of the project with the internal space from the tower having to go somewhere.