Ealing Council has given approval for the redevelopment of Perceval House, its former head office.

The development, agreed on March 10, will now be referred to the Greater London Authority and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for final planning approval. If approved the demolition of Perceval House could start as soon as this December.

It will see a new civic hub built in Uxbridge Road, including smaller council offices, a new library and a customer service centre. At the rear will be 477 new homes, 28 of which will have three-bedrooms, with retail premises on the ground floor. Fifty per cent of them homes will be affordable.

The controversial proposal, brought forward in partnership with Vistry, is opposed by MP Ruppa Huq who described it as a ‘monster development’. More than 2,000 objections were raised, mostly about the height of the buildings,

Initially, the redevelopment was to be completed in stages, beginning with a partial demolition to make room for a new smaller office building while staff continued to work from the remaining part. However, the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated a shift towards more remote working, leading to changes in how the council delivers services.

When the pandemic abates, it’s likely most staff will continue to work from home for most of the week, allowing a complete decant of the building with staff either working remotely or from temporary offices until the new, smaller office building is ready.

Cllr Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “The decision, by Ealing’s planning committee, is a step forward for this scheme which will bring more much-needed genuinely affordable housing into Ealing town centre. It will also build smaller, cost-effective council offices, confirming the council’s continued presence in Ealing town centre supporting local businesses. 

“The world and our way of working has changed significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The ability for staff to work flexibly and for council services to be delivered in different ways means that our office needs have changed, which will save money for both the council and local council tax-payers.”

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