New flats to 'reinstate' bulldozed Victorian house

Eight new flats are to be built at the site of a Victorian house that was demolished without authorisation in west London.

Ealing Council has granted permission for the redevelopment on Charlbury Grove on the condition that it is in keeping with the character of the area.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the new building would "reinstate the previous building" using existing materials, where possible, to replicate the character of the demolished house.

The site is in the Mount Park Conservation Area, a designated heritage zone recognising its Victorian architecture.

The site had remained unused for six years. Planning permission was granted to convert the original building into eight flats in December 2022. However, this was withdrawn after the house was demolished without approval in October.

The council said it decided not to take any legal action because the new application proposed rebuilding the house in a similar form to replicate the former house, using salvaged material from it.

According to the plans, the front façade of the three-storey building will match the original house to maintain the historical appearance of the area. However, the rear will incorporate "more modern features", such as privacy screens for residents.

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