Basement Refused in Bedford Park Planning Victory (Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats)

Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats <info@ealinglibdems.org.uk>

Basement Refused in Bedford Park Planning Victory

August 16, 2007 12:00 AM

Cllr Harvey Rose, Lib Dem Planning Member

Lib Dem Leader Cllr Harvey Rose Fighting for Bedford Park

At this Wednesday's Planning Committee meeting councillors decided, including Southfield ward councillor Harvey Rose, to refuse an application for a basement at 8 The Orchard in Bedford Park.

This follows a decision made by a Planning Inspector in March of this year when an appeal against the decision of Hounslow Council to refuse a basement in Priory Avenue, also in Bedford Park, was refused.

George Butlin, representing the Bedford Park Society, stressed the historical and architectural importance of the "Garden Suburb" now included in the Bedford Park Conservation area. He said that there is a risk of subsidence and there were serious structural issues.

It was claimed that the lightwells would not harm the character of the area and that the Society's Design Guide - which prohibits basements - was not yet in force.

Cllr Harvey Rose summarised the case against the application, which had been recommended for approval by planning officers. Harvey said that the Bedford Park pioneers had deliberately avoided basements both for social reasons and also because of the uncertain nature of the subsoil in the Bedford Park area. He pointed out that Ealing officers had expressed the view, following the Hounslow decision, that officers from both boroughs had agreed to act consistently when dealing with basement applications.

Cllr Rose said "This represents a victory for Bedford Park. They way is now open for the formal adoption of the Design Guide which they have been working on for many years."