Ealing Council has welcomed the decision of a High Court judge not to allow a judicial review of the decision to grant planning permission for the £40million Acton Oaks scheme .

The application for a review was refused by the Honourable Mr Justice Mitting on Monday who rejected all arguments made by The Oaks Action Group and ruled that there were no grounds to challenge Ealing Council's decision to grant of planning permission. The judge also ordered the claimant to pay the council's £2,435 legal costs.

Ealing Council leader, Councillor Julian Bell, said: "We’re pleased with this decision as we have always been confident that the correct process was followed to grant permission for the Oaks development. We are glad that the developers can now get started to create hundreds of local jobs and introduce vital homes to Acton town centre, including 22% affordable housing, as well as new shops including a Waitrose supermarket."

Ealing Council leader Julian Bell
Julian Bell

Ealing Conservative group said the Labour administration at the Town Hall needed to reflect on the public discontent surrounding the Acton Oaks scheme - which includes a nine storey block of flats as well as the refurbishment of the shopping centre.

Leader of the Tory opposition, Cllr Gregory Stafford , said: " Rather than be pleased that the Oaks Action Group have lost their bid for judicial review, the Labour Administration should stop and reflect that they have approved a scheme that does not have the support of the majority of residents who live in Acton. It is regrettable that the Labour Administration continues to ignore the views of Acton residents."

The applicant now has seven days to apply to the court for a hearing to reconsider the judge’s decision.