The planning committee’s decision to approve the £125m Gurnell leisure centre and residential scheme will now go to the Greater London Authority for stage 2 approval.
Once this is received, the council will seek to appoint a contractor with the aim of starting on site as soon as possible.
Demolition is projected to begin in spring of this year with works due to start in Autumn/Winter this year. It is estimated the leisure centre will open in 2027/28.
The approved plans include:
- leisure centre with a 50m main pool with 10 lanes, leisure pool, 270 spectator seats, café, state of the art fitness suite, soft play, car and bicycle parking
- 300 homes with 35% of the new homes designated as affordable including social rent
- Enhanced parkland with outdoor landscaped facilities in the park area, 450 tree plantings, a new playground, skate park, BMX track and a new accessible bridge and footpaths
Ealing’s ambitions for the Gurnell development and wider growth across the borough is supported by commitments to deliver 28,000 new homes over the next 15 years.
As part of these commitments, Gurnell and other sites are being brought forward for investment and development, where the council is seeking to work in partnership with the private sector to achieve its ambitions for the borough.
Further partnership opportunities are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Ealing Council Leader, Cllr Peter Mason, said: “This is the next big step in making good on our commitment to deliver a new leisure centre to replace Gurnell, which will bring back a landmark location for sport and leisure to Ealing.
“With the new plans now approved, we’re pleased that we are one step closer towards returning a much-loved facility to the community, and delivering the homes our borough needs.”
Initially designed by Mikhail Riches architects and masterplanners, Ealing Council is seeking a development partner to deliver the residential development, with an appointment intending to be made by Winter 2025/26.