Fresh plans has been put forward by Ealing Council for a new Gurnell Leisure Centre which will include a 50m metre pool, BMX track, skate track and 295 new homes.

Ealing Council say the new leisure centre would be accompanied by residential homes that will 'enable' the development and provide needed housing for Ealing.

A previous proposal in 2021 for a new centre at the site was rejected by the council's planning committee but since then numerous consultation have taken place to put fresh plans forward on Fri, 26 Apr 2024.

Some changes include: improvements to surrounding parkland to include flood management; a reduction in proposed housing from more than 600 to 295 in the new proposals; reduction in the height of new housing block from 17-storeys in the original plan to maximum of 10.

Ealing Council in its design and access statement say it plans to build a 9,530m2 Leisure Centre that will 'address borough sporting need for all ages and abilities as well as maximise flexibility for the future.'

An artist impression of the proposed 50 metre swimming pool (credit: Planning application).

It adds: "A replacement skate park 800m 2, BMX pump track 2000m 2 and playground 1100m 2 . The park also provides outdoor gym and path network for running, walking and cycling."

From the 295 homes, 35% will be affordable according to Ealing Council.

However, the proposed homes are being built on MOL (Metropolitan Open Land) which has raised concern from residents on social media over building six to nine storey flats on MOL.

Dr Sean McCormack, Chair of Ealing Wildlife also criticised the felling of trees near the site recently during the 'height of bird nesting season'.

Ealing Council want to build 300 new homes next to the new Gurnell Lesiure Centre (credit: Planning application).

On Facebook he wrote: "I'd like to know why tree felling was carried out this past weekend at Gurnell, in mid May, the height of bird nesting season?

"And what checks were made for nesting birds before doing so.

"Because there were nests at the top of at least one of the large Poplars chopped to the ground at the front of the site by the staff car park! Did anyone check if they were occupied?"

An artist impression of the new water park (credit: Planning application).

Ealing Council's Facebook page responded by saying: "Hi Sean McCormack we are looking into this now and hope to be able to come back on this thread to update you. Ealing Council communications team."

In the planning statement, the council explains that potential harms from MOL are outweighed by benefits of the scheme which would 'enhance' the landscape and biodiversity of the site.

Gurnell Leisure Centre first opened in the early 1980s and was one of only four 50-meter public pools in London.

The Gurnell Leisure Centre is a three-story building made of concrete and steel, with a textured exterior that includes concrete, corrugated metal, and glass.

Its roof features a geometric pattern of galvanised steel sections covered with bitumen. The windows are single-glazed units in metal frames, complimented by overhanging eaves made from profiled metal sheeting.

Due to COVID-19, the centre closed in March 2020 and has remained closed ever since. During this time, the Centre served as a COVID-19 testing centre and a temporary shelter for the homeless.

Ealing Council say the building's current state highlights the challenges faced by many aging public facilities.

To read the new application for Gurnell Leisure Centre in West Ealing, click here.

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