A coalition of Ealing environmental organisations has united to oppose a proposal to build a 17.5-metre telecoms mast on Brentham Meadows, warning it threatens one of London’s most ecologically valuable and legally protected green spaces.
The Brent River Park charity, Ealing Wildlife Group, Ealing Parks Foundation and Brentham Allotment Gardens Society are urging residents to object to the application by MBNL – a joint venture between EE and Three – before the 14 October consultation deadline.
The proposed site lies within a 9.5-acre meadow at the northern end of the Brent River Park, designated both Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), granting it the same level of protection as Green Belt land. The development would require the felling of a mature oak tree believed to have centuries of life remaining and the removal of surrounding vegetation.
Katie Boyles, of the Brent River Park charity, said: “It’s bonkers to consider putting such an industrial structure in one of our valued community green spaces. This ill-advised proposal undermines the openness of our protected landscape and directly contradicts planning policies designed to safeguard precious habitats.”
Sean McCormack, chair of Ealing Wildlife Group, said: “This is a crass example of blatant disregard for nature. We have a global climate and biodiversity crisis. If the mast was previously on a building, put it on another building. I’m urging the council to take the sensible decision and reject this proposal outright.”
Campaigners say the plan breaches the Environment Act 2021’s biodiversity net gain requirement, threatens a meadow habitat of which 98% have been lost in the UK since the second world war, and risks disrupting foraging routes for bats and nesting areas for birds. They also warn of increased flood risk on the functional floodplain of the Brent River Park, and criticise the lack of evidence that alternative brownfield sites were properly considered.
Jane Fernley, chair of the Ealing Parks Foundation, said: “Brentham Meadows is a much-loved green space, vital for local wildlife and community wellbeing. It is totally unsuitable for a 17.7-metre mast and associated infrastructure.”
Robin John of Brentham Allotment Gardens Society (BAGS) added: “When we at BAGS objected at the consultation stage, the proposers replied there was nowhere else it could go. Yet it replaces the telecom mast on the old Westworld building just north of A40, which is a brown field site and a more appropriate location.”
Opponents argue that approval would set a “dangerous precedent” for development on protected open land across London.
Residents have until 14 October 2025 to submit objections through Ealing Council’s planning portal.
