West Ealing Neighbours Blog

These notes are not intended to capture everything that was said at the meeting. They are just trying to capture some of the main items discussed.

1. East Lodge

The original planning application was withdrawn. Over 3,000 objections. Questions asked about why the lodge has not been included in a conservation area. Cllr Manro explained the delay caused by the staff member involved having to leave and took time to recruit a replacement. A new application may yet come forward.

2.Lammas Park and Flood risk works

The Council has authorized flood risk alleviation works in three of its parks – Lammas, Dean Gardens and Belevue Park Park. The aim is to capture excess surface water and then release it slowly back in to the sewer systems in order to avoid flooding at times of heavy rain,

The Lammas Park works have caused much local concern over the area of park taken up, delays in works and worries about e-coli in the water. Cllr Driscoll, cabinet member for climate action, spoke to this and explained the actions being taken by the Council and Thames Water to investigate possible misconnections to the sewer systems and rectify any problems. The works have yet to pass their final tests, so no date yet for completion.

3.West Ealing Community Library

Catherine Fitzgibbon is leading the group negotiating with the Council to take on the lease for the library which is run by volunteers. Her priority at the moment is to recruit new directors to join the board of West Ealing Community CIC which will be the organization taking on the lease. It is a small not-for-profit organization and needs to strengthen its governance in readiness for running the library. Anyone interested in joining the board please email – info@mywestealing.org.uk

4.Law and Order

David Highton, chair of WEN, said he was clear that our local MP Deirdre Costigan, our local councillors and the police themselves are all well aware of the level of concern about anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and drug taking in West Ealing.

He stressed the importance of people reporting ASB so the police have a record of it as this helps decide how they will deploy their teams. (details of ways of reporting are on the WEN website – www.westealingneighbours.org.uk )

There will be a new team of eight police who are being recruited for Ealing Broadway town centre. He said it was important that West Ealing was included as part of the town centre so they would spend time here.

5.Town Teams/Your Town Your Voice

This is a new initiative. Each of the boroughs seven towns now has a town team set up to encourage local community involvement in deciding how to spend their allocation from the  initial £480k budget for the borough. They will later be able to have a say in how the 10-15% of moneys from the Community Infrastructure levy will be spent. The team covering West Ealing is in the process of setting up guidelines for organisations wanting to apply. The one for Hanwell is not looking for applications.

6.West Ealing Action Group

This is another newly set up group. The Mayor of London has allocated £50k to improve the West Ealing high street, re-purpose empty shops, explore night-time activities and more. Any group interested in joining can email Cllr Manro – manros@ealing.gov.uk

7.Victoria Hall

The largest public hall in Ealing is owned by a charity. The Council wants to dispose of it to a hotel developer. Friends of Victoria Hall (FoVH) have been battling to save it for the community. The final phase of the legal battle over its future comes to a head in November. FoVH are looking for funds to help pay their costs – https://savethevictoriahall.weebly.com/

8.Stop and Shop

Some confusion over the introduction of a new scheme by the Council. The main reason for the new scheme is to stop people parking for hours or days in these short stay spaces. The Council has no way of knowing how long people have been parking in these so little or no enforcement. Under the new scheme people will have to register first before parking for their free 30 minutes. However, they can then extend their stay by paying for more time.

There was concern over people who did not have the smart phone needed to use the parking app. Cllr Driscoll explained there are alternatives such as some high street shops offering ‘pay point’.

Later clarification: The transaction charge is 10p and not 20p  when using the ‘pay by phone’ app.  We are in the final year for the 10p charge. It might go up in the future.  

9.Development sites

Dean Gardens car park

Cllr Manro confirmed that the work on this site will almost certainly have to be demolished and a new contractor found to start again.

Green Man Lane

Phase 4 soon to be underway once a new contractor has been appointed.

Gurnell

The leisure centre and housing are separate projects. Work on the leisure center should start early 2026

Kwik Fit site

Demolition has started. No date yet for the building work.

Majestic Wine Warehouse site

A change of plans means it will now be student accommodation with towers of 17. 14 and 5 storeys. The Council has negotiated a cash payment because of this change and loss of potential social housing.

Manor Road site

Much concern about the management Manor Road by the contractor and many felt it was an accident waiting to happen. Cllr Manro will ask for this to be checked.

Orion Park

A contractor should be appointed soon

St James Ave

A change of plan to a more modest development as Luxgrove haven’t found a housing association willing to but the planned social housing element. So, no bridge over the street joining the two sides.

Waitrose

No plans to start building until 2026. Waitrose have set up regular meetings with local groups to try to keep them informed about plans and progress. WEN is one of the groups involved

Old Woolworth’s site

Another Luxgrove development site. No work started yet.

🌟 Join the Movement to Shape West Ealing’s Future! 🌟

Become a Board Member of the West Ealing Community (WEC) Community Interest Company (CIC)

Are you concerned about the future of West Ealing?  Do you want to be part of an organisation dedicated to its improvement and transformation?

The WEC Community Interest Company (CIC) manages the West Ealing Community Library (WECL). This is a key activity in fulfilling its commitment to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving neighbourhood for everyone who lives, works, or visits West Ealing.

We’re looking for passionate, forward-thinking individuals to join the WEC Board and help guide our mission. If you care about building community, sustainability, and local impact in West Ealing — we want to hear from you!

💼 What Does the WEC Do?

WEC was established to “carry out activities which benefit people who live, work or visit West Ealing”.  We are and continue to support and develop initiatives that:

• Promote arts, culture, and community events – including the SoundBite Festival in Dean Gardens and the Christmas Fair in December
• Create long-term community assets of benefit to the whole community, specifically managing WECL
• Build a strong sense of community, social cohesion and improve dialogue
• Improve community safety and the well-being of those who reside in or pass through West Ealing
• Support the development local businesses, job opportunities  and enterprise
• Foster a sense of pride in the area’s open spaces, streets, local services and cultural activities
• Boost opportunity for innovation, creativity and development amongst businesses and residents’

🧠 Who Are We Looking For?

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. You don’t need board experience — just a commitment to West Ealing and a willingness to contribute your time and talents. That said, we’re especially keen to hear from people with skills or experience in:

🤝 What’s In It for You?

• Make a real difference in your community
• Collaborate with passionate local changemakers
• Gain valuable leadership and governance experience
• Be part of shaping West Ealing’s future

📩 Ready to Get Involved?

To express interest or learn more, email us at info@mywestealing.org.ukor call David Highton on 07968 819016.

Let’s build a better West Ealing — together.

Ealing Climate Change Action events at West Ealing Community Library opened with a School Uniform Swap. On 6 September, 35 families – mums, dads and children collected 114 items of school uniform and, at the same event, donated 145 school uniform items.

“This has been a real success thanks to the generosity and resourcefulness of West Ealing residents,” the organiser of the swap, Mary Horesh of Ealing Repair Cafe, said. “I like to help and encourage people to make positive steps to help the planet and the environment,” said Mary.

Kinga Savory, a volunteer fund-raiser at West Ealing Community Library, joined Mary in displaying the uniforms and helping families to find their choices. Kinga, who set up Ealing’s Climate Cafe, also highlights the climate benefits of swaps. She points out what Act for Ealing Climate Action Hub says:

“Up to 1.4 million school uniforms, many of which could be reused, are thrown away every year. Many of the garments contain high levels polyester, that is equal to around 350 tonnes of plastic. Over the last decade, clothing has become the fastest growing stream of waste in the UK, and it now represents the fifth biggest environmental footprint of any industry in the UK.

Around £52 million is spent each year on new items with parents, guardians and carers discarding uniform that still has lots of wear in it. Uniform which has been worn should be reused. Extending the life of clothing by just 9 months can reduce carb on and water usage by up to 10%. This will also help reduce the huge amount of clothing that is sent abroad each year.”

While the climate-boosting uniform exchange was going on, library users were helped by West Ealing Community Library volunteers Sunita Mainee and Steve Sharkey to use the library computers and photocopier, borrow and return books.

This month, 20 – 28 September, West Ealing Community Library celebrates Ealing Climate Week.

Come to the Library and see books, materials and online resources with practical ways to repair, re-use, reduce, recycle. Visit wecl.org.uk

For more information on Ealing Climate Week visit www.ealingclimate week.org

Further evidence of the level of frustration with the anti-social behaviour and drug related problems in West Ealing is captured in this petition calling for action by the police and council. Full details of the petition which has already been signed by over 170 can be found here.

This is a West Ealing wide problem and one we’ve looked at recently both in our last public meeting and in an article on this site.