Press Releases
A fresh start at the Southall Gasworks (PR 909)
Joint statement by Ealing Council and the Southall Gasworks Partnership
Ealing Council and the developers behind the proposals for the regeneration of the Southall Gasworks site have confirmed that the plans for redevelopment are to be subject to a major reworking process following extensive discussion with the council.
Concerns raised by the Leader of the Council, Jason Stacey, and by members of the public during the consultation period, have provided an opportunity to revisit some of the central elements of the scheme and will result in a further round of public consultation and a fresh planning application being submitted later this year.
National Grid Gas has indicated that the two smaller water-sealed gasholders are unlikely to be required for operational purposes in the near future, and this provides for the possibility of their removal and re-development.
Councillor Stacey said: "The recognition by the landowner and developers of the need to revisit the masterplan and submit a new planning application responds to our election manifesto pledge to ensure the current application is amended to provide an improved regeneration of the gasworks site to the benefit of all Southall residents.
"I will be closely monitoring the development of the new proposals. The council will work with the developers to ensure that the residents of Southall are properly consulted about any changes."
Brad Critcher, managing director of Castlemore Securities, said: "The discussions with the council raised a number of issues in relation to the existing proposals resulting in a decision to review the current masterplan for the area. We will be undertaking further consultation on these changes later this year.
"We are confident that we can work constructively with the council on a 'fresh start' to bring forward a real asset to the borough which they can support."
The form and content of the new masterplan will build upon the extensive work which has already taken place. The process will be accompanied by a public consultation exercise giving local people once more, the opportunity to take part in the development process.
The site is identified in the London Plan as a major opportunity area and has the potential to bring residential and employment investment to Southall. The reworking of the masterplan will focus on the revised priorities identified by Ealing Council and the GLA to bring forward a viable scheme.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The Southall Gasworks Partnership comprises National Grid
Property and Castlemore Securities Limited who have entered into a
Joint Venture agreement on the development proposal.