HOPES have been crushed as plans to regenerate the troubled Copley Close Estate have been stopped in their tracks as Ealing Council goes back to the drawing board.
At a cabinet meeting last week, the council approved measures to stop the procurement process for a redevelopment partner for the Hanwell estate.
The cabinet also agreed to look at an “alternative option” for regeneration at the site as most recent plans had “not been viable.”
The move is particularly disappointing for estate residents as the council, under the previous administration, first announced plans to revitalise the site in 2008.
Hitesh Taylor, cabinet member for housing at Ealing said: "Two developers put forward proposals for the Copley Close estate, but the plans were unacceptable because they did not address what people on the estate have told us they want.
“Although we recognise the site presents some challenges, we remain committed to the principles of regeneration and need to make sure that we get it right. Regeneration is more than just improving the homes.
“It is also about wider aims to tackle the poor environment, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and provide opportunities for young people.
“The last thing we want to do is proceed with a regeneration scheme that does not meet residents' needs.”
Jackie Sear, head of Copley residents group Ease, said: “I think we're all very disappointed.
“I think this is particularly crushing for people as they had all been going through this process for two years and we really believed it was going to happen.”
“It's unfortunate that the offers on the table were not what the community wanted. Copley isn't going to be the easiest project but we really believe all the people here deserve better.
