®Planning appeal decision
41 Birkbeck Road, Acton, London, W36BQ
Planning appeal 3372950 at 41 Birkbeck Road, Acton, London, W36BQ (London Borough of Ealing) was dismissed on 16 December 2025 by Inspector Teasdale N, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, including whether it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Acton Town Centre Conservation Area.
demolition of existing garage and construction of new building of seven flats. 2 x 2 bed, 3 x 1 bed & 2 x studio units. New Refuse and cycle storage
- Authority
- London Borough of Ealing
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Teasdale N
- Postcode
- W3 6BQ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, including whether it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Acton Town Centre Conservation Area
- Whether the proposed development would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers with particular regard to outlook and amenity space
- Whether the proposed development would provide adequate cycle parking storage
- Whether the proposed development would provide adequate food waste storage
What decided it
The unacceptable harm to character and appearance caused by the proposed high front boundary wall, combined with inadequate living conditions and cycle parking provision, could not be outweighed by housing benefits even under the tilted balance.
The adverse impacts of granting permission (harm to character and appearance, poor living conditions, inadequate cycle parking) would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits (housing provision, biodiversity net gain, brownfield development) when assessed against the policies in the Framework taken as a whole, even applying the tilted balance.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy HC1 of the London Plan 2021Policy 7C of the Development Management Development Plan Document 2013Policies D3 and D4 of the London PlanPolicies 7.4 and 7B of the Development Management Development Plan DocumentPolicy DAA of Ealing's draft new Local Plan (Regulation 22)Policy 7D of the Development Management Development Plan DocumentPolicy D6 of the London PlanPolicy T5 of the London PlanPolicy SI 7 of the London Plan
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 212
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in London Borough of Ealing
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Dismissed27 October 2026601391794 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing, London, W5 1QX
- Notice upheld4 September 2026336533281 Ashness Gardens, Greenford, UB6 0RW
- Dismissed30 April 202660036194 - 6 Ealing Road, Northolt, UB5 5HT
- Notice upheld2 April 2026336738519 Wedmore Road, Greenford, UB6 8SB
- Notice upheld2 April 2026336725917 Wedmore Road, Greenford, UB6 8SB
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.