Findings of the regional park public consultation reveal that 62% of respondents support Perivale Park Golf Course's closure, according to Ealing Council.

As part of the council's commitment to build 10 new parks in the borough before 2026, between October and December 2023 it asked people for their views on a new regional park - the first of its kind in west London.

However, with the plans came the proposed closure of Perivale Park Golf Course (PPGC), with the council's public consultation showing 76% backing for the regional park and 62.5% supporting turning the golf course into a park.

PPGC have been protesting against the 94-year-old course's closure since September of last year, after Ealing Council announced its plans.

Ealing Council says the golf course would provide much needed green space for the community and habitats for wildlife.

Members of PPGC have been critical of the council's proposed regional park as it would mean a 'local community asset' would cease to exist.

Following the council's reveal of its public consultation, David Chapman, member of PPGC, said on Facebook: "The Labour council, having spent thousands of rate payers money publicising the much needed 'New Regional Park ', have decided to close this 100 year old local community asset.

"Perivale 'Park' golf course is already a public park. People walking their dogs across the course constantly remind golfers of that fact.

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"There is no need whatsoever to close the course.

"Unfortunately, Ealing Labour councillors seem to see golf as an elitest middle class sport for voters who do not deserve any consideration."

Ealing Council says more than 6,000 residents commented on its public consultation with 13% of respondents wanting the course to stay open.

Back in January 2024, Perivale Park Golf Club and Liberal Democrat councillors protested the closure of the golf course outside Ealing Council's civic offices (credit: Gary Malcolm).

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, said: "We made a commitment to create 10 new parks in the borough and plant 50,000 more trees.

"The proposal for a new park at Perivale could see us delivering the second of our 10 parks and would eventually form part of the regional park.

"We will work with local people on the final layout of the proposed new park but we have already put aside money to plant wild flower meadows and install benches, paths and new signage.

"As part of the regional park, we could see areas of forest, wetlands and new habitats for wildlife coming to the new park at Perivale in the future.

"We also want to explore the potential to continue to provide a cafe as part of the overall offer of a regional park."

The recommendation to close the golf course and re-open as a park was published on 7 March and the decision will be taken on 15 March.

Chapman added: "Ealing Labour council is helping in continuing to promote this myth by closing yet another affordable for all local community municipal facility.

"Ealing Labour council have disregarded that Perivale Park is ideally suited for the low income older golfer, as well as grassroot sport for younger people who want to learn how to play.

"The council's own figures confirm an average of 80 rounds of golf are played on the course every day.

"Perivale Park Golf course/cafe provides exercise and companionship for the multicultural cross section community of Ealing residents especially the elderly."

The council says its working with architects Priors + Partners to lead more engagement work and are part of a team preparing a masterplan for the new regional park.

To read the full consultation report from Ealing Council, click here.

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