Lib Dem Councillor Has Concerns About South Acton estate plans

11.26.08am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Oct 2005

Cllr Gary Malcolm campaigning on the South Acton estate

Cllr Gary Malcolm and Acton resident has said that the current plans to redevelop the South Acton estate need reworking.

Areas of the South Acton Recreational Grounds as well as the allotments look likely to suffer if the current plans go ahead. The plans move the allotments and part of the Recreational Grounds to make way for extra housing.

Cllr Gary Malcolm said: "The Lib Dems want to see a better quality of housing on the estate because of the decades of neglect. However it is wrong to push ahead when much land between housing blocks will be lost as new buildings are proposed to be built closer together."

Gary added: "The main concern is that overall there will be a loss of open space. The allotment plot holders if moved often do not come back because it takes a long time to start up an allotment from scratch. I have asked that the Recreation Ground to be extended in size if moved to compensate for the overall loss of land."

Other concerns that Cllr Malcolm has are:

• The likely overlook onto areas in Acton Green (including Bridgman Road, Kingswood Road and Kingswood Terrace) because of the tall buildings on the border of South Acton and Acton Green.

• There seems likely to be a loss of trees including larger, mature trees. I have called for the planning committee to add a planning condition so the number of trees cannot be reduced.

• There appears to be an over-exaggeration of retail units that may attract lots of trade from Acton High street, which already suffers at present.