North Acton skyline to change again as student tower and new flats replace Holiday Inn near Tube station

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation approved plans for the 668 unit development in North Acton. The 31-storey block will provide 609 purpose built student rooms, with the second block providing residential flats for rent.

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), established by the Mayor of London to “secure the regeneration of the Old Oak Opportunity area, spanning land in three London boroughs – Ealing, Brent and Hammersmith & Fulham.”

The development will replace the existing Holiday Inn Express, which currently occupies the site on Victoria Road adjacent to North Acton tube station. The site is also part of the wider ‘North Acton Town Centre Cluster masterplan’ which seeks to provide a “vibrant, high-density” neighbourhood.

The project will comprise 35 per cent affordable housing, with 255 sqm of commercial retail space. It will also be a ‘car-free’ development, which developers say supports sustainable travel.

There have been several high-rise residential developments approved in Acton in recent years. As recently as late-April, Ealing Council approved plans for five more tower blocks near Acton Main Line station, despite concerns from residents.

TV Presenter Sean Fletcher criticised these plans, describing them as “dangerous and overcrowded”. However, Acton continues to be a hotspot attracting developers seeking to build high rise residential towers.

A South Acton tower block development also received approval from Ealing Council in March. Similarly, this will also be a car-free development.

The developers, Downing, are a “vertically integrated real estate developer” which has operated for 35 years, and over £3 billion of real estate developments across the UK. The company says its in-house “development and management expertise” allows for exceptional results.

Martin Fenlon, Associate Projects Director at Downing, said: “Situated just outside of the city centre, North Acton is becoming a hotbed of regeneration. It’s vibrant community, unrivalled transport links and proximity to Imperial College London, the University of West London and the University of the Arts make it an ideal home for both UK-based and international students.

“The supply of high-quality student accommodation plays a critical role in supporting the local economy and ensuring that London’s leading educational institutions can retain the best UK-based and international talent. Approval from OPDC to create 668 new homes means we can play our part in supporting the North Acton Town Centre’s wider development plans and we look forward to starting on site.”