A COLOURFUL children’s protest outside Ealing Town Hall was not enough to dissuade Ealing Council from approving a contentious planning application.
Children dressed as superheroes gathered with their parents to voice their discontent over an application to build housing at Oak Wharf.
But the council’s planning committee approved the plans to build four houses at the site, currently a disused builder’s yard.
Gerry Wisniewski, one of those opposed to the protest said: "We’re very disappointed. More than 300 people signed a petition which we presented at the planning meeting but sadly it wasn’t successful.
“Oak Wharf is quiet little area of Hanwell, at the bottom of Green Lane, very close to The Fox pub and the Grand Union Canal. Locals felt that four homes was is too high density for the area and the buildings themselves were poorly designed and out of keeping with the village feel. We argued that two houses, not four, was far more sensible.
“They will also add traffic and it will mean loss of privacy for those who use the canal and live locally. The children who gathered outside on Wednesday did a great job but sadly it wasn’t enough.
“I know there were some conditions attached but we’re still unhappy with the proposal. Six people spoke at the meeting, four against and two in favour. The voting on the committee was quite a close run thing, but we were still unsuccessful in trying to persuade the council to turn it down. We’re gutted."
The development was passed by the casting vote of committee chairman Councillor Karam Mohan, after the vote was tied with six councillors for and six against.
