Ealing Council has appointed some leading planning, sustainability, and urban design experts to play a lead role in what is already one of the best planning authorities in the country.

The new officers will complement work already under way, including the new Local Plan, which was recently submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The plan sets out the council’s vision for shaping the borough’s 7 towns over the next decade.

The new additions to the team will help ensure that future developments will contribute to improving residents’ quality of life and maximising benefits for the community. This also means making sure that the infrastructure communities need is secured and meets the needs of local people, and that conservation and heritage are considered.

‘A borough where people are proud to live’

Shital Manro, the council’s cabinet member for good growth and new homes said: “We put residents first in all of our planning decisions, as part of our commitment to making our 7 towns better places to live, work, and socialise. These new officers will play a crucial role in ensuring that the design of our buildings and public spaces brings this vision to life.

“The built environment profoundly impacts the lives of both residents and businesses. In a world where land is a scarce and increasingly expensive commodity, making optimal use of space and ensuring good design in new developments is a priority. Placing community benefit at the heart of development and growth is central to shaping a borough where people are proud to live and thrive.”

‘Platinum’ service

The council’s planning service is rated as one of the best in the country and determines applications quickly and effectively. It was recently awarded ‘platinum’ status by Planning magazine and is 1 of only 12 planning authorities in the country to be recognised as such.

Recent data shows that 100% of major local planning applications are decided on time, and Ealing is 1 of only 7 councils nationwide currently achieving this. Only 1.1% of major planning applications are overturned on appeal – the best rate in London.

Meet the team

From conservation to climate action, each new team member brings a different perspective to help better understand the needs of the borough’s residents and businesses.

They are:

• Sarah Cook, the council’s urban design manager. She works to ensure that good design and place-making underpin all of the borough’s development
• Mark Thomlison, head of climate action and sustainability, plays a lead role in delivering the council’s climate action priorities
• Ben Dixon has been appointed as infrastructure planning manager. Ben’s team works to ensure that contributions from developers to offset negative impacts of development and improve infrastructure are secured and spent
• Mark Price is the council’s new conservation officer – a specialist who can advise on conservation and heritage in the borough.
  

For more information about the council’s planning services, go to the council’s website.