Worries over Warren Farm continue as Ealing Council provides no updates about its future

Following an Ealing Council Cabinet meeting earlier this week, where there was no paper relating to the future of Warren Farm, Ealing Liberal Democrats are calling on Ealing Council to be “clear” about its plans for the much loved nature area. 

The official opposition party to the Labour-run council has said that residents across Ealing are worried that there are plans to build a football or cricket pitch on the site which would endanger wildlife. It said the council has told them a report would be given in in October, then November and more recently December but no Cabinet report appeared. In the summer, Ealing Liberal Democrats arranged a “call-in” council meeting to discuss Warren Farm.

Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Gary Malcolm said: “Ealing Council should be clear before we end the year that it will not build on the grassland nor damage it with a football or cricket pitch, given the need to protect the whole site so that species like the skylark can be protected.”

Among the worries by residents is that football grounds for Southall FC, which is owned by a relative of Ealing South MP Virendra Sharma, is being planned.

Councillor Malcolm added: “There are plenty of other sites for sporting grounds in the borough. I have called for a meeting with the Council and interested parties but so far, they have chosen not to response. The silence is frustrating many.”

An Ealing Council spokesperson told EALING.NEWS that the report will be made available. “It’s coming to Cabinet in January”.

Ealing Green Party chair Neil Reynolds told EALING.NEWS: “It is clear that the council should make Warren Farm a nature reserve. We are in a climate and ecological breakdown. In those circumstances building on rewilded land is totally unacceptable. Local people know this too which is why a magnificent campaign by local activists has petition with over 13,000 signatures.”

Mr Reynolds added: “Hopefully the silence is an indication that they are rightly reconsidering their position on this valuable natural asset. There will be detailed scrutiny of the council, any organisation that works with them, and their contractors, if they make the mistake of trying to build on an area that should be protected land.”