Campaigners against the Colonial Drive development on Bollo Lane have lost the latest round in their battle following a decision by the Mayor of London to let Ealing Council decide the matter.

Mayor Boris Johnson will allow Ealing Council decide the application for the development by Blackstone at Bollo Lane adjacent to the Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve.

The development is opposed by residents, campaign groups, Hounslow Council and conservationists who argued that the proposals were an over-development and would adversely impact on Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve. 

In his letter dated October 2nd, to Ealing Council, the Mayor states;

" Having now considered a report on this case I am content to let Ealing Council determine the case itself, subject to any action that the Secretary of State may take and do not therefore wish to direct refusal or to take over the application for my own determination."

A spokesperson for Hoot,the campaign group against the development said it was "an utter disappointment and particularly from a Mayor who says he wants to protect green spaces."

Commenting on the decision by the Mayor not to use his powers to refuse the application, Chiswick Cllr Peter Thompson commented;

“I think that Boris got it wrong on this one. Whilst the planning report recognised the importance of the site and that the development will result in less tranquillity, reduced enjoyment of the reserve and disturbance to the wildlife, it argues that it can be mitigated by a few bat and bird boxes, some new trees and a new full time warden. “

Once the London Borough of Ealing have issued the approval notice the only way to appeal the decision would be a judicial review of the decision, but this can only be done on a point of law.

Ealling Council’s Planning Committee approved the proposal by Blackstone last May for blocks of flats up to eight storeys high (124 in total), together with workspace, a nursery and a footbridge linking the area to Chiswick Business Park across the London Overground railway nearby. Local people had written over 400 letters of objection and a petition was signed by 1,700 people.

Hoot, the campaign group who have several high-profile celebrities on their side, including Rula Lenska and Sir David Bellamy, say that two of the blocks reach right to the edge of the reserve, so that eight-storey buildings with balconies will loom over people walking the nature trail.

October 3, 2012