Gyratory blocks critics lose fight
HANGER LANE DEVELOPMENT WILL HOUSE MORE THAN 600 STUDENTS IN THREE TOWERS
CONTROVERSIAL building work has begun on top of one of West London’s ‘busiest’ roundabouts.
Three accommodation blocks will be 16 storeys high after planning permission was granted to extend the structures form the originally proposed 13 storeys. Once completed, they will have the capacity to house more than 600 students and come complete with a roof terrace and gym.
The towers will be situated on top of the Hanger Lane Gyratory, in Ealing. Although not officially classed as a roundabout, the gyratory is noted as one of the ‘scariest’ and ‘busiest’ in West London.
Planning of the new student accommodation has come under fire from neighbours for its height and location – the buildings will be built on top of the gyratory, next to Hanger Lane Tube station. Objections from Ealing’s residents include oppositions to the construction because of safety, aesthetics and its necessity.
One of the main issues locals have with the buildings is their height. Before the extension was granted there were already complaints that the blocks would ‘impede views’ and ‘make the skyline ugly.’
The safety of those living in the accommodation was also called into question by one person who objected to the new builds. They said: “Hanger lane gyratory is known as the most dangerous roundabout and anyone who has ever driven on it or lives locally nearby, will also say the same”.
Before an extension to the height was approved, eight public objections were made to Ealing Council.
Now, with permission to build a further three floors, residents have seen their objections fall on deaf ears. Among the comments was one from a resident of Clarendon Road, Ealing, who said: “Its height, already considerable, will present a significant eyesore in very great visibility.
“Additional floors would exacerbate this problem greatly and pose a potential privacy problem, particularly as the site is already at a higher level than many of the surrounding residential houses and easily overlook their gardens. Whereas a degree of compromise is necessary when considering the need for new housing, the existing building is already pushing the area into overdevelopment.”
Ealing Civic Society said: “We reiterate our response to the consultation that the proposed height would have negative impacts on views of the development from viewpoints in its neighbouring conservation areas.
“In addition, the proposed extensions would entirely dominate the locally-listed Hanger Lane Underground Station, recognised as a classic London Underground design, destroying the openness of its existing setting”.
The final subject of criticism came from questions about housing students on top of a ‘dangerous gyratory.’ A resident touched on this in their public objection, and said: “Another aspect is the safety for pedestrians, vehicles and residents in the area.
“This will be realised once the residents move in, though it should have been pre-empted.
“Delivery drivers, taxis and pedestrian flow will increase which will cause issues from casualties and incidents, in turn will end up being extremely dangerous area”.
Building work started recently and it is expected the first residents will be able to move into the blocks towards the end of the year. All objections were taken into account before Ealing Council granted planning permission.