Council leader Julian Bell has criticised the decision by the Secretary of State to call in a controversial planning application for Ealing town centre.
Earlier this week, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark MP, announced his decision to call in plans for Arcadia phase two.
The decision follows a request lodged by the Victorian Society and means there will be an inquiry led by an appointed inspector.
Findings will then be passed on before a decision to potentially withdraw, amend or approve plans will be made by Mr Clark.
Victorian Society had made the request due to its concerns about Ealing's conservation status, which Historic England claimed would be lost through the development .
'We found out from the media'
But Ealing Council leader Julian Bell believes the council has been treated unfairly and claims he only found out about the call in decision through the media.
Cllr Bell added: "The decision by the Secretary of State is disappointing. The call in raises no issues with our processing of the application.
"I am also concerned about the way we have been treated.
"Normally the planning authority would have been told in advance, which didn't happen which meant we found out from the media.
"I still wholeheartedly believe that the scheme will transform Ealing town centre, creating new shops and restaurants, as well as enhancing Ealing's cultural offer.
"The planning committee is made up of elected councillors who consider all applications on their own merit and in accordance with national and regional planning policies. "
On February 24 councillors voted eight to five in favour of the development despite opposition from Historic England, Victorian Society, Ealing Civic Society, Save Ealing's Centres, residents and councillors.
The Londonnewcastle and Benson Elliot development will demolish Victorian buildings in 9-42 The Broadway and transform them into 188 homes, 20 new shops and a music venue.
'Huge ugly buildings'
Senior Victorian Society Conservation Adviser, James Hughes, said: "Requesting a call in is not something the Victorian Society does lightly.
"The plans approved by Ealing Council would have had such an irrevocable and negative impact on this Ealing conservation area that it would call into question its very existence.
"We are glad that the Secretary of State has recognised that the issues here are worthy of closer examination.
"This is a rare opportunity for clarification on the protection of conservation areas."
Spokesperson for Save Ealing's Centre, Julian Smith, also praised the decision to call in the "unpopular decision to destroy a large part of our historic town and replace it with huge ugly buildings".
Conservative Councillor Alex Stafford, who said the development would turn Ealing into "Gotham City", added: "This is a very welcome step forward.
"The outcome I hope for is the preservation of the facade of the Carphone Warehouse corner and also I would like them to look at the height of proposed tower.
"It is enormous and bigger than anything we have now."
getwestlondon has gone to Secretary of State, Londonnewcaslte and Benson Elliot for comment.
