The Ealing planning committee has approved a previously deferred application from Diamond Property Ltd for a mixed-use development in Southall.
Despite initial reluctance due to the lack of social housing and other requirements, the proposal was accepted. The development, located at Southall Community Centre, 20 Merrick Road, involves demolishing existing buildings to construct a part 6, part 8, part 10, part 16, and part 22 storey building.
It will include community and commercial spaces on the ground and mezzanine floors, with 215 flats above, and will be largely car-free except for four disabled parking spaces. The site, covering 0.35 hectares, is near the Southall railway and Elizabeth Line station and currently houses a locally listed building used as a banqueting hall.
The proposal aims to address local housing demand by offering 19 per cent affordable housing, below the typical 35 per cent requirement. The affordable units include 26 Shared Ownership and 9 London Affordable Rent flats, conflicting with the Council’s preferred tenure mix. However, viability assessments by the GLA and the Council’s advisers concluded that the scheme could not support more affordable housing. The application was initially deferred in July 2025 due to concerns about the low level of affordable housing and the non-compliant tenure mix. The developer responded by maintaining the 19 per cent offer, stating that further S106 contributions would reduce affordable housing to 15 per cent.
Two options were presented: Option 1 offers 19% affordable housing with 35 flats, while Option 2 offers 15 per cent with increased contributions to TfL. The developer emphasised that if the 19 per cent offer is not accepted, it could be withdrawn, potentially further reducing affordable housing.
The scheme includes 405 cycle parking spaces and communal outdoor spaces on various floors. The approval follows extensive discussions with Ealing Council, the GLA, and local residents.
The development is part of a broader trend of high-rise residential projects in the area, with buildings up to 23 storeys. The decision reflects a compromise between meeting housing needs and financial viability constraints.
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