The Ealing Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee has supported the cabinet's decision to develop Warren Farm despite intense public pressure. 

Leader of the Opposition, Gary Malcolm, called the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following the decision of the cabinet on 25th January to pass plans to develop half of Warren Farm as a sports facility. 

However, the decision to support plans to build a sports facility was backed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee before 9pm on Tuesday 21st February. 

Only two councillors voted against the decision to uphold the cabinet's decision from last month and they voted unanimously on Councillor Paul Driscoll's recommendations to perform a habitat survey and have a conversation with Imperial College London. 

This came despite heavy public pressure as a peaceful protest organised by Warren Farm Nature Reserve of around 2500 people gathered outside Ealing Town Hall ahead of the meeting to attempt to show councillors the public's stance on the issue. 

The protests included members from the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, and Green Party, as well as people from all over the borough of all ages, but it was not enough to prevent the meeting going against turning all of Warren Farm into a Local Nature Reserve. 

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee passing this plan means that the decision does not need to go back to the cabinet and Ealing Council can begin a feasibility study for the provision of a sports facility at the site. 

The full meeting was live streamed on YouTube and is still available to watch if people wish to watch the debate. 

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