Councillors have ignored pleas from Historic England and residents not to demolish Victorian buildings in Ealing to build 188 new homes.
At a dramatic Ealing Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday evening (February 24) councillors voted eight to five in favour of the second phase of the Arcadia development .
More than 50 people showed up to get into into Ealing Town Hall but it appeared that some were turned away due to a lack of space.
Development managers Londonnewcastle, together with site owners Benson Elliot, will transform 9-42 The Broadway into 188 homes, 20 new shops, a new pedestrian route and a 5,000 square feet music venue.
But Historic England, Victorian Society, Ealing Civic Society, Save Ealing's Centre, residents and several councillors objected plans because it will demolish a number of Victorian buildings.
'Ealing is not Gotham City'
Conservative Councillor Alex Stafford, who represents Ealing Broadway ward, said at the meeting: "Ealing is not Gotham City and should not become so.
"As a councillor I have never received so many planning objections; it is badly at odds with the character and feel of the area."
A representative from the developers said at the meeting that Ealing Council will receive £2.3million from the deal.
The approval means that Ealing will lose the Victorian building atop Carphone Warehouse in order to increase the joining pavement.
Historic England claim it will result, overall, in the loss of 11 buildings described as a "major part of Ealing’s Edwardian and Victorian built heritage".
But developers will retain No. 9 - next to Morrison's - and will preserve the frontages of 14-16 The Broadway.
A total 51 from 188 homes will be 'affordable'
The applicants were pressed by councillors on the affordability of the homes and if they were taking Historic England's claims seriously.
A representative argued that extensive research had been done to minimise conservation impact and because of the forthcoming Crossrail development they had to "put our hearts" into making Ealing proud.
Applicants also promised that 51 from 188 homes will be "affordable".
Liberal Democrat Councillor Jon Ball, who voted against the plans, said: "Historic England say that if we approve this, the Ealing Conservation area will no longer merit its conservation status."
'The biggest planning decision I have had to make'
Labour Councillor Ray Wall, who pressed the applicants throughout, initially kept his hand down when asked to vote before nervously raising his arm in approval.
Before the vote, Councillor Wall said: "This is the biggest scheme that we as councillors will decide on in our time as councillors.
"I have lived in the borough all my life and this probably the biggest planning decision I have had to make."
Work on the site is expected to start in early 2017, and developers anticipate it will be completed over two years.
