Who wants to know more about how, twelve years ago, an exclusive group of rich, mostly white, middle aged men in suits planned to take advantage of the financial crash and austerity politics to sell Ealing's public land and buildings for profit like they were playing monopoly? 
A few familiar and influential names including, of course, the late Tony Pidgley of Berkeley Group and Southall Gasworks infamy.
A five year plan to sell off our public assets for £20m profit.
Not a single one of these men was elected to do so.
A five year plan to sell off our public assets for £20m profit.
Not a single one of these men was elected to do so.
Talking of Southall Gasworks.
Has Southall been successfully positioned to capitalise on opportunities arising from Asia?
Has Southall been successfully positioned to capitalise on opportunities arising from Asia?
Back to the plan by unelected rich mostly white men to sell off what were now deemed to be no longer fit for purpose or surplus to requirements buildings used for services for vulnerable adults, children and families, libraries, leisure and open spaces...
Pat Hayes, then Ealing's Regeneration and Housing Director, sets the financial scene, priorities - demolition of existing estates to be replaced with 'proper' communities, and 'smoothing' traffic flow.
Hayes moved to fascisitically named BeFirst developer's friend in 2017.
Hayes moved to fascisitically named BeFirst developer's friend in 2017.
Despite saying that transport and connectivity are priorities, Hayes says Ealing doesn't need much new infrastructure.
Hayes says the biggest issue is wealth inequality, and how to address that (what's changed?).
Pidgley just wants to sell the council estates and bulldoze them.
Hayes says the biggest issue is wealth inequality, and how to address that (what's changed?).
Pidgley just wants to sell the council estates and bulldoze them.
Mark Mitchenor of Rydon (of Grenfell fire infamy), if I'm reading this right, was employed by Ealing Council to advise them on ditching affordable homes that aren't big enough to store your golf clubs, favouring instead attainable homes for the wealthy...
Acton Town Hall was the jewel in the crown. Was the redevelopment a success?
Of course, it was Pidgley who said, 'Why waste a good crisis?'
[Take advantage of covid, anyone?]
Of course, it was Pidgley who said, 'Why waste a good crisis?'
[Take advantage of covid, anyone?]
How do you solve a problem like Southall?
Ealing's Property Director Brendon Walsh (who I believe went on to work for a developer) couldn't get his head around Southall, but was delighted to fleece a couple of Asian guys for £8m by selling them some tatty shops.
Ealing's Property Director Brendon Walsh (who I believe went on to work for a developer) couldn't get his head around Southall, but was delighted to fleece a couple of Asian guys for £8m by selling them some tatty shops.
There seems to be a genuine disconnect between some slight acknowledgement of how Southall is and what it could be, and simply building on it regardless and trying to bring in major food and retail.
Lastly, the Southall Gasworks site in detail:
What was promised then:
- 1,100 affordable homes
- hotel
- cinema
- sports centre
- cricket pitch
- £22m S106 money
What have we got (so far)?
- 931 affordable homes
- £12m S106 money
What was promised then:
- 1,100 affordable homes
- hotel
- cinema
- sports centre
- cricket pitch
- £22m S106 money
What have we got (so far)?
- 931 affordable homes
- £12m S106 money
Screenshots in this thread taken from here: ealing.gov.uk/download/downl…
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