A GROUP against the development of The Oaks shopping centre in Acton town centre are taking their fight to a judicial review.

The Oaks Action Group were dealt a blow at the end of last year when Boris Johnson ruled the Acton Regeneration Company’s (ARC) plans, which include a nine-storey block of flats, were acceptable.

Opponents, including celebrity architect George Clarke, say the plans are an overdevelopment which feels like a gated community rather than providing a proper route between the High Street and Churchfield Road. 

Group spokesman Doug Carnegie said the group will challenge in court the legality of how ruling Labour councillors managed the planning process, and in particular how the planning committee was selected before the crucial vote in October last year.

According to Mr Carnegie, judicial reviews must be launched within six weeks of a Formal Decision Notice, which Ealing Council issued on April 8.

The group have met with a specialist firm of judicial review lawyers based in Fleet Street, and Mr Carnegie said: “We have been advised there are grounds to make a judicial review.

“We have made the company and council officials aware that we have engaged in judicial review.”

He said the judicial review would also look at claims that the planning officer's report put to the committee omitted important information that members should have been made aware off.

Ealing Council said it was disappointed to hear of the judicial review. A spokeswoman said: “Before granting planning permission detailed consideration was given to the potential impact upon local residents and the immediate area.

“We have every confidence that the planning decision was made properly and are disappointed that a small group of residents are trying to prevent the transformation of the very poor quality Oaks Shopping Centre into a Waitrose and much needed new homes.”

The development would create 142 new homes and jobs for 500 people. But the Oaks Action Group had unsuccessfully argued the new homes would create a residential density 30 per cent higher than the maximum allowed in the London Plan.

Opponents say this would result in increased traffic, extra pressure on local infrastructure, would be out of proportion with the surrounding Victorian architecture, and will put St Mary's Burial Ground and homes in shadow for most of the day.

Developers ARC rejected this and said the £40 million regeneration project will provide better open spaces, better shops and much-needed homes, adding the density fully complies with planning policy.