PEOPLE in West Ealing have roundly rejected a planned development by the John Lewis Partnership for four tower blocks, one the height of Big Ben, in their neighbourhood.

JLP wants to overdevelop its Waitrose West Ealing site as part of the its controversial move into build-to-rent.

During public consultation on the plans, objections overwhelmingly outnumbered expressions of support.

The consultation received a total of 651 responses, with 628 (96.47%) objecting and 16 (2.46%) expressing support1. 

A second development proposed by Tide Construction, that would neighbour the Waitrose site has also been open for public consultation.

Tide’s proposal includes building 448 student flats on the site of a Majestic Wine store.

Like the JLP plans, the application was rejected by residents, receiving 385 comments, 381 (98.96%) objecting and three (0.01%) in support2.

Ealing Council’s Local Plan says the area is suitable for buildings up to a maximum of 13 storeys.

JLP plans to build four tower blocks of up to 20 storeys high, while Tide is planning a 21-storey tower.

Justine Sullivan and Denise Colliver, co-chairs of campaign group Stop the Towers, said in a statement: "Over 1,000 objections have been received in response to the developments proposed by John Lewis and Tide Construction.

“In other words, a resounding ‘no’ to what amounts to gross over-development.

“Yet, although the local community has overwhelmingly rejected the plans in such large numbers, this doesn’t halt the developments.

“There is still a long way to go in the planning process. 

“West Ealing is not inner London. What’s more, neither development will deliver the type of housing Ealing desperately needs.

“We urge Ealing Council’s planning department to listen to residents' concerns and reject both applications.”