Ealing Borough Council has been slammed by residents and community groups for deciding not to contest a planning appeal made by John Lewis Partnership (JLP) to the government regarding controversial development plans in West Ealing.

The appeal comes as a result of the council's planning committee failing to give its decision on the application for planning permission within an appropriate time frame. These include plans to demolish the Waitrose supermarket in West Ealing, and replace it with several tower blocks up to 20 storeys high, a modernised supermarket and new open spaces.

There will now be a three week inquiry taking place from Tuesday, November 19 . An independent planning inspector will examine the evidence before issuing a report with recommendations to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who will make the final decision. The council has decided it will not contest the appeal.

There have been 274 letters of support for the project, and more than 730 objections made by local residents and associations. Further opposition came from council leader Peter Mason who displayed concern at the the proposed height and lack of affordable housing.

JLP West Ealing Development plans for blocks of flats (credit: John Lewis Partnership via Ealing Council).

Co-Chairs of Stop The Towers (STT), Justine Sullivan and Denise Colliver said: "We believe that Ealing Council's refusal to participate in the statutory planning process is possibly unique in the history of planning in London.

"The failure of Ealing's planning authority to rule on the Waitrose application or even to appear at the enquiry is nothing short of a bitter betrayal to the West Ealing community, which has so vehemently opposed this disproportionate and detrimental development."

Currently, the proposals do not provide the type of homes required by Ealing Borough Council's housing waiting list. Of the 428 properties outlined in the plans, only 83 will be deemed affordable, which falls short of building requirements outlined in the London Plan.

This framework used by councils across London requires developers to make at least 35 per cent of the properties affordable. To meet that threshold, JLP would need to make an extra 67 apartments affordable, as it currently stands at 19 per cent.

The plans include the proposals for four tower blocks, at heights of 11, 16, 18 and 20 storeys high. All but one of these exceed the 13 storey maximum set by Ealing Borough Council.

Will French, a retiree and Ealing resident for over thirty years, described the feeling of the local community. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "People are really really concerned about the failure really of the council to represent or argue the concerns of the local community

"There is a huge amount of unhappiness in West Ealing. It's hard to say how strong the feeling is that the council have just washed their hands of local people when they are supposed to be there to represent the local community.

Master Plan for proposed John Lewis project in West Ealing (credit: John Lewis Partnership via Ealing Council).

He added: "People feel the council have just simply betrayed them."

A spokesperson for Ealing Borough Council said: "We firmly believe that all new housing schemes should deliver 35 per cent affordable housing as a minimum. Given the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework we no longer believe it is in the best interests of our taxpayers to pursue a lengthy and costly legal battle with uncertain outcomes. We will therefore await the Planning Inspectorate's decision on the scheme.

"We are committed to delivering 4,000 genuinely affordable homes by 2026. As a positively pro-growth borough we will always work proactively to deliver schemes that offer the best outcomes for all – high quality homes, in the right places to suit all life stages, that are genuinely affordable, and supported by essential infrastructure, amenity and green open space."

A spokesperson for John Lewis Partnership said: "We note the council's decision to no longer oppose our appeal and will continue to engage with the process as directed by the Planning Inspector."

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