Woodward Buildings Block A Consultation

The vision for Old Oak

View from Victoria Road

Imperial has identified the area within the West Tech Corridor, a new major strategy to secure regional economic growth. North Acton is key to attracting new innovation jobs and providing quality homes.

We want to provide 271 beds of student accommodation with this building and thus free up hundreds of local residences for local people which would otherwise be taken up by students. These reflect the plans to invest in and expand opportunities for local communities.

This scheme is adjacent to the new North Acton Cluster, but is a separate scheme focused on providing student accommodation and providing a reduction in local housing demand from the student body. We also want to provide significant community space allocation that would support local community groups. If you know any groups that could benefit from a dedicated space for organising and helping the local community, if you know of or are a member of a local community organisation which could use our amazing new space then please do contact us and we will make sure you are informed of our progress! See our privacy notice whilst you do so.

Design

Designed to work for both the local community and students, the proposal for Woodward Buildings Block A includes high quality student amenity spaces and improved public realm which will improve this part of North Acton. The proposal complies with the council’s planning policies and will be a positive contribution to the area.

We have conducted extensive community consultation to date with local community representatives, a panel of design specialists, London Borough of Ealing and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation. As a result, the scheme has significantly and positively changed over time:

• The height has been reduced from 25 to 14 storeys.
• Changes have been made to the façade, improving solar shading.
• Cyclist routes connect coherently to the development.
• Energy performance is improved with solar panels and additional sustainability features.
• Landscape features have been added to the frontage and roof top to provide a biodiversity net gain.

View from Victoria Road

View from Acton Cemetery

Community and Social Benefits

Over a prolonged period, Imperial has been helping to improve West London and building positive relations with local community groups.

A key component of the proposals in Acton will be the provision of community spaces available for student organisations and local groups to use. These spaces will be provided at low cost to charities and public benefit organisations to help the local community.

Proposed ground floor of combined Woodward Buildings (Subject to Approval)

London Borough of Ealing is home to 1,200 businesses and the scheme will provide retail units attracting extra footfall, benefitting local traders and growing the North Acton economy.

As well as Woodward Halls, Imperial is investing extensively in West London. In October, a prime industrial site was purchased in nearby Old Oak which will increase investment, deliver opportunities for skills and local, well-paid jobs in innovation, science and technology. Imperial is also investing in the old Victoria Industrial Estate on Victoria Rd which will enable advanced manufacturing in technology.

The design of the site integrates walking and cycling routes, promoting sustainable and active lifestyles with active cycle stores and strong links to local transport connections.

View from Victoria Road

Next steps

Freeing up residential homes in West London through the construction of purpose-built student accommodation will reduce the severe pressure on housing for the local community and benefit both residents and students.

Our public consultation has now closed. But you can still express you support for plans here. See our privacy notice whilst you do so.

If you know any groups that could benefit from a dedicated space for organising and helping the local community, if you know of or are a member of a local community organisation which could use our amazing new space then please do contact us and we will make sure you are informed of our progress!

What's coming up