Monday 27 June 2011

Westfield expansion on view: exhibition dates

News reaches me courtesy of the Macfarlane Road Residents Association of exhibitions for residents interested in the controversial regeneration plans for the land to the north of Ariel Way. Working in tandem with our Council the retailers' plans look set to deliver thousands of new homes to the area and in so doing fundamentally change the face of the Bush.

Residents groups are divided over the plans with many throwing doubt on the Council's claims to be creating new social housing which will be affordable to key public sector workers and those aiming for a first foot on the property ladder. Residents point out that many of the homes claimed as "social" will in fact merely be existing social tenants being relocated, while others from the Kensington side have warned that their homes, including that of the Prime Minister, will be overshadowed by enourmous retail buildings. But both agree that this will act as a major stimulus for jobs, which can't be a bad thing.

Either way residents can judge for themselves on the following dates:
  • Friday 8th July - next to Habitat in Westfield 2 - 8pm 
  • Saturday 9th July - next to Habitiat in Westfield 11 - 5pm 
  • Monday 11th July - Village Hall Bulwer Street 12 - 6pm
As one of the residents commented in a message to their group, it does look as if the new "town centre" of the Bush will be shifting northwards, away from the Green. I'm not sure that's necessarily a bad thing but, together with the departure of the BBC, it will certainly start to change the face of W12.

3 comments:

  1. I'm not sure that I would want to be running a business on the Green though, as more of the footfall is drawn away perhaps?

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  2. Andy Slaughter will have trouble thinking up other negative comments on this unless he decides to 'stand up' for the rights of people in Notting Hill. But he's managed to be negative about every single improvement, investment & enterprise in Shepherds Bush so he'll paint it black before too long. After all, the better the area gets, the less likely he is to keep his seat. Let's keep the Bush down-trodden & grotty for a safe seat for Andy. No. Let's welcome the investment.

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  3. Yes, sometimes I think Andy Slaughter wants Shepherds Bush to remain scruffy and poor. He seems to just grumble and object to any improvement that is proposed.

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