Local Authority

Families evacuated from a massive fire in a block of flats in August 2008 have begun to move back into their restored homes.

Eight properties in Thurlestone Court are being occupied again after the roof was repaired following the fire in the four-storey block in Howard Road which saw 70 people flee the massive flames.

Anyone who wants free pension advice can make the most of a scheme currently being run by Ealing Council.

SOUTHALL residents are about to be consulted on a new proposal that could increase the availability of parking in the area.

A SQUALID sandwich manufacturer was closed down after Ealing Council health inspectors discovered filthy working conditions and out-of-date food.

Dreams Foods in Witley Gardens, Southall, was forced to close after council officers served a notice on the company.

A PETITION with nearly 1,000 signatures was handed to Ealing Council today in protest at a proposed power station for Southall

Blue NG has applied to the council for permission to build a multi-million pound facility, which would process bio-fuels for electricity, at the former site of Southall Gasworks in The Straight.

Lady Margaret ward forum will meet in Southall for the second time on Tuesday, December 9.

All residents are invited to attend the meeting at Lady Margaret Primary School in Lady Margaret Road, from 7pm to 9pm.

A Southall councillor fears the area could be overwhelmed if a series of proposed major schemes converge in the coming years.

Manjit Singh, ward councillor for Southall Broadway, said he was worried the combination of the planned Gasworks housing development, along with a new power station, could result in overcrowding and may overwhelm local infrastructure.

In October, National Grid re-submitted its proposal for the 80-acre site at the gasworks, with about 3,750 homes alongside commercial units, a health centre and a new school.
Energy provider Blue-NG will shortly be submitting plans for a £30 million eco-friendly power station nearby at the old gas holder in The Straight. which would power thousands of homes in the region.
Mr Singh said: "As far as the power station is concerned, I am opposed to that as it is not a good idea for such a built-up residential area.
"The new Gasworks proposal is a bit better than previous submissions as it has less houses then before, but it is still high and could result in overcrowding.
"If there are up to 4,000 new homes, then that means nearly 10,000 new residents could move to Southall. That's enough for a new ward."
Ealing Council's regeneration leader, Councillor David Millican, said: "The gasworks site is very big and has been there for 100 years. It's a potential site for redevelopment and clearly there's still a lot of work to be done in terms of things like transport links.
"The developers have come up with an imaginative scheme which is definitely worth considering."
Mr Millican said the proposal was not due to go before a planning committee for at least the next two months.
A spokesman for Blue-NG said: ÒShould we win planning permission, we do not anticipate having any adverse effect on the local infrastructure.
"Aside from the delivery of vegetable oil, which would be done in a way to minimise traffic movements, the company will not be making any demands on local services or infrastructure.
"Indeed, by providing green electricity and paying business rates, we hope to be a net contributor to the local economy.Ó
The proposal is set to be submitted by Christmas.
Business development agency Heathrow City Partnership, based in Southall, is also co-ordinating plans to re-brand the area as a vibrant cultural hub with the aid of local businesses.

The owner of a shopping centre in Southall has said he is being unfairly targeted by Ealing Council over a planning dispute.