Ealing residents and councillors staged a third protest outside Percival House against the closure of Perivale Park Golf Course on 17 January.

Golfers from the community have been protesting against the 94-year-old course's closure since September of last year, after Ealing Council announced plans for a new regional park - the first of its kind in west London.

Part of the council's plans would mean changing the use of the golf course to something more accessible to all and potentially shutting it.

An Ealing Council spokesman has previously said: "We are proposing to review the use of the land that Perivale Golf Course is currently on, so that it can become a new fully accessible park, giving more people more access to a well-designed green space.

"We know some people living near to Perivale Golf Course enjoy playing golf there, and we have met with some of the golf club members to explain the proposal and reasons behind it."

They added: "No decision has been made yet to close the golf course and the council has not yet made any proposals about which sports facilities will be included in the new park."

Outside of Ealing civic offices last week, Liberal Democrat Councillors Gary Malcolm and Jon Ball protested with residents and the captain of Perivale Park Golf Club (PPGC) against the closure of the site.

The cllrs say the golfers are keen to ensure that the course stays open as it is one of the few golf clubs who have an affordable "pay and play" structure which makes it accessible to most in the local area.

PPGC have also suggested planting more trees as a way of coming to a compromise with the Council to keep it open for all but the council and the club have yet to reach an agreement.

Councillor Gary Malcolm, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition said: "Liberal Democrats are listening to residents who are telling the council that the golf club should survive, whether that be a part of a regional park or in its current form.

"Liberal Democrats in Ealing will fight to save open spaces and protect sporting and recreational activities whilst Labour are looking to close facilities."  

A council spokesperson said: "Local residents have given clear backing to the council's plan to create a new regional park that will increase the amount of open green space that is accessible to residents and will make space for new sporting facilities in the borough.

"More than 6,000 people took part and shared their views in a consultation on the plan, between October and December last year. There was resounding support for the idea of a regional park, which is hoped will be as transformative for west London as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has been for east London, with more than 77% supporting it. 

"The new regional park will include brand new facilities such as a new outdoor cultural venue which was backed by 73% of residents. Detailed analysis of all the responses is under way and will be shared with residents shortly."

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