The London Mayor is taking over plans to create 24,000 homes and 55,000 jobs in Old Oak Common around a major hub for new train lines High Speed 2 (HS2) and Crossrail.
The news that Boris Johnson has created a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to push through the plans moves the development one step closer.
But it has raised concerns among residents living in the East Acton area, who fear ‘social cleansing’ will destroy their historic area.
The MDC will work with Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith and Fulham councils on transforming the 195-acre site.
It will look at how the new district can gain maximum reward from the ‘super hub’ High Speed 2 (HS2) and Crossrail station , due to be built in 2026 on the borough border with Hammersmith and Fulham.
Mr Johnson said: “The arrival of Crossrail and HS2 will lead to the creation of an entirely new city quarter for London, if we get the design and transport links right.
“By working with the three local authorities, we will be able to best maximise this once-in-lifetime opportunity to spark widespread economic and social regeneration to a part of the city that is in desperate need of major improvement.”
But Amanda Jesson, chairwoman of Wells House Road Residents’ Association warned it may overwhelm neighbours.
She said: “I think overall the idea of developing the area is positive and it needs regeneration.
“What I’m concerned about is how 24,000 homes and 55,000 jobs will fit into this area, it’s not that big, without having to build huge high rises.
“I’m concerned for the community, this is a very old-fashioned working class London area.”
Ms Jesson fears a repeat of HS2, saying residents’ views and concerns were ignored then and worries they will be ignored again.
She said: “We don’t want a whole new high-rise town. It would be disastrous to get rid of the traditional houses here and to break up the community.
“The people who live here are the salt of the earth and they are being trodden on.
“Are they going to bulldoze the area and drive us out of our homes to pass us over to affluent people? That would be a form of social cleansing. We want the community to be respected and to be part of the new vision. There has to be some sort of community engagement.”
Hammersmith and Fulham and Brent councils welcomed the formation of the MDC, but Ealing Central and Acton MP Angie Bray echoed Ms Jesson’s concerns.
The Conservative said: “There remain important questions about how local residents will continue to be able to feed in their concerns about the impact on them and their communities. In the shorter term there will be major construction works and in the longer term many local communities will find themselves completely re-shaped.
Ealing council leader Julian Bell welcomed the new homes and jobs and improved transport facilities, but warned: “We are concerned with the plans as they currently stand and believe some changes are needed.”
