People want to know what will become of a much-loved conservation area that was protected from development.
Ealing Council rejected a planning application on June 25 for the construction of eight four-bedroomed three-storey houses comprising of two detached houses and six semi-detached houses in St Mary’s Road, Ealing, delighting neighbours who were campaigning to save a green space with an “irreplaceable” Horse Chestnut tree.
Resident Marie Lester, on behalf of many living in the area, says the plans were rightly rejected, but now wants to know how the University of West London can work with the community to make a success of the site.
She said: "The university has developed the campus site extensively. We now ask you to give some attention to making a corner of this site green.
"The university has shown it values the environment. Please uphold these principles and put them into practice on the Mandela site.
"Mandela's legacy was all about forging relationships, uniting people and reconciling differences. The Mandela site was designated as a green space and even features in your 'Future Campus' video as a green space.
"Please remain true to the original image you display on your website, and turn this beautiful corner of old Ealing into a green space to support students, trees, and shrubs.
"Make the Mandela site a symbol of the necessary balance between people and the environment, in a world that is looking for leadership in restoring its eroding natural order. You would regain a lot of goodwill with a community alienated by this ill-considered planning application."
A spokeswoman for the university said: "The University of West London will consider all of its options for the Mandela site at the start of the new academic year."
