West Ealing Neighbours Blog

1.Police

The new Met Police service Met Engage https://www.metengage.co.uk/ is worth signing up for.

There will soon be no police station open overnight in the borough. Councillors urger to lobby police to change this and keep one open.

2.West Ealing Action Group

Laura McLean, Area Manager, Regeneration, Investment and Jobs at Ealing Council gave a presentation.

Ealing one of 12 boroughs to get £50k funding for High Street Place Labs. The aim of this project is to improve the high street over the next three years including:

• repurposing empty shops and buildings
• improving ‘back street connections’ that link areas together eg Canberra Road, Melbourne Avenue, Walsingham Road etc
• Developing the night time economy

Two meetings of local stakeholders have been held so far and the third is tomorrow (Tuesday 17^th March).

3.Your Voice Your Town

A Council initiative, following the end of ward forums, to encourage community involvement in local decision making. Each of the borough’s seven towns has a budget for grants to local projects. Also, a mechanism for residents to have  say in how some of the Community Infrastructure Levy money will be spent in their area.

4.Lammas Park

This remains a controversial issue with some residents. Cllr Driscoll explained the current situation and defended the creation of a wetland in the park as part of the overall scheme. The temporary fencing around the area will come down soon but it will be kept around the newly planted areas.

5.Pear Tree Park

A newly created park as part of the West London Regional Parks Corridor (see slides on this).

6.West Ealing Community Library

Catherine Fitzgibbon ran through the wide range of activities now available at the library. The library is looking for volunteers to help keep it open from 5-7pm in May and June for students to study for their exams. Anyone interested please email friends@wecl.org.uk

The library is run by West Ealing Community CIC, a not-for-profit organisation. It is close to signing a Licence to Occupy with the Council. It has also strengthened its governance with some new directors.

There will be a Community Library Spring Party on Saturday 25^th April.

7.Development Sites

Dean Gardens

The half-complete buildings will be demolished following the bankruptcy of the original builders – Henry. The Council’s insurance covers a small part of the cost of this.

Green Man Lane

A2Dominion are closing in on appointing a new contractor following Rydon going out of business.

Gurnell Leisure Centre

Concerns raised about due diligence on the Council’s preferred partner Vistry.

There will be a high percentage of affordable housing in the 300 flats proposed for this site.

£3million will be spent to de-risk the site prior to the new leisure centre being built.

Kwik Fit

A private development so the Council can only encourage the developer Luxgrove to get started.

TIDE – Hastings Road

Work on the planned 400 plus student homes has now commenced.

Manor Road

Still concerns over traffic management on this site next to the station. The Council will follow up with the developers on these concerns.

St James Ave

Another Luxgrove development. Work yet to start on the planned HMOs

Waitrose

Although the John Lewis Partnership has pulled out of its plan for rental homes on this site, it is still pursuing its planning application and may seek to sell this on to a developer. Given the timing of this application it will now include a CIL contribution to improving local infrastructure.

Woolworths

Also a Luxgrove development.

Sherwood Close

Concerns raised about the quality of some of the new buildings, especially over locks to stop intruders.

Work started on the private housing site close to Northfield Avenue.

8.Felix Project

This charity collects and distributes surplus fresh food to food banks, charities etc. It distributed 18,000 tonnes last year.

9.Dean Gardens

Needs some cleaning up.

10.Hanwell Carnival

London’s oldest carnival is back in 2026 0n Saturday 20^th June. Volunteers are welcome and details on their website –https://hanwellcarnival.co.uk/

11.West Ealing Station Elizabeth Line

Disappointment that the additional trains on this line will not be stopping at West Ealing given its planned population growth over the next few years.

12.School Streets

Questions asked about the effectiveness of School Streets given over 250,000 Penalty Charge Notices issues since 2020.

13.Road Works A lot of disruption in West Ealing caused by road works at the start of this year. The Council is looking at ways to improve this including plans for lane rental charges

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:

Skill Area	Why It Matters
People management, recruitment and training	Having motivated staff, volunteers working to deliver our aims
Finance & Budgeting	Ensuring responsible use of funds and financial sustainability
Legal & Governance	Supporting our growth, compliance and ethical decision-making
Fundraising & Grant Writing	Securing resources to grow our impact
Marketing & Communications	Raising awareness and promoting our work
Community Engagement	Building trust and participation across diverse groups
Urban Planning & Regeneration	Shaping the physical and social landscape of West Ealing
Environmental Sustainability	Driving green initiatives and climate resilience
Arts & Culture	Enriching local life through creative programming
Small Business Support	Strengthening the local economy and entrepreneurship

🤝 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.