A RUN-DOWN estate in 'desperate need of redevelopment' will be demolished and replaced with 500 homes, Ealing Council has confirmed.

Hanwell's High Lane Estate is a prefabricated 1960s development with 250 homes; said to be riddled with damp, mould, flooding and anti-social behaviour.

A 2018 ballot saw 90% of residents in support of the regenerating the dilapidated estate.

Once completed, the new estate will contain 57 three-story terraced homes and 448 apartments, featuring a community building and shop.

A new road will run through the estate – complete with cycle route and landscaping.

Ealing Council planning officer Tiago Jorge recommended the development to the planning committee on Wednesday, July 21, who went on to vote unanimously in favour of the first phase.

He said: "This estate is in desperate need of investment, it suffers from significant physical and environmental deficiencies, and social problems, that have led to significant adverse effects on residents.

"This includes buildings with poor sound and thermal insulation, resulting in houses affected by cold damp and mould.

"There is also low passive surveillance, which encourages anti-social behaviour."

Developers Rydon Construction Ltd estimate the build will take five years.

On completion, 550 homes should be on the site, more than double the original 250, with 50.6% going for private sale and 49.4% affordable.

There will be 142 social rent households for existing households who wish to stay.

A total of 20% of the homes will be family-sized three and four-bed homes.

Mr Jorge explained that current estate residents in the first phase of the development will have to move away during construction.

He added: "They will face the brunt, it's best that can be done in these circumstances."

Only one objector was allowed to speak at the meeting and this was local resident, Paul Stokes.

He told Ealing Nub News: "My principle objection in writing was the lack of information supplied for phases two and three and outline permission should not be granted.

"On the night, however, when I heard the council official showing off there had been just a single objection and that the residents were suffering from 'consultation fatigue' (as if this was a good thing), I chose to use my speaking time (limited to three minutes) to flag the fact the public consultation for planning permission took place during the third national lockdown and this represented an erosion of local democracy.

"As it happens, I do think the proposed designs are out of keeping with the area, but this was not a point I raised at the meeting."

The council has been approached about the housing plan for the remaining 72 council tenants.