Warren Farm, the unique urban meadow, which has been untouched for over a decade, was voted by Ealing Labour to be used as a site for a substantial new sports facility in the Borough of Ealing, harming the endangered Skylark and many other nationally endangered species.

At Ealing Council's latest meeting, Liberal Democrat Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition, challenged the Labour administration decision on Warren Farm. The meeting was heavily attended by local demonstrators who do not wish the current plan to proceed. Many supporters were turned away due to a lack of space allocated for those interested in the democratic process.

At the meeting the arrogant Labour administration voted for sporting facilities to be developed on Warren Farm, again. This is in contravention of local protest witnessed by a petition of 19,000 signatures (approx. 5% of the population of Ealing who are against it). The Labour council are steamrollering ahead, disinterested in expert concerns and objections. They are ignoring over 70% of the respondents to their own poorly devised consultation (of 1,500 surveyed) who expressed their value of the site for its open green space and diversity.

Significant community concerns continue to be raised by the Liberal Democrat Official Opposition on Ealing Council and several wildlife experts about the viability of the new buildings and sports pitches. Instead, Ealing Council seem focussed on "de-wilding nature rather than re-wilding it."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition, said: "Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for the whole of Warren Farm to be designated as a local Nature Reserve. The council approach means a significant loss of biodiversity and publicly accessible open space. Green space has been shown to be essential to ensuring improved mental health, especially in urban areas. The people of Ealing are speaking but they are not being heard."

Councillor Athena Zissimos, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Environment said: "Once this site has been lost the skylarks, bats, owls and the endangered plants will disappear, a whole eco-system will disappear. This is a unique opportunity to protect nature. Labour talk the talk on the environment but when it comes down to the ground and they need to take action on the environment they do the opposite of what is right. There is an opportunity to save Warren Farm in its entirety for nature, a rare and beautiful thing, let us not squander it." 

The fight goes on and will continue as far as is needed including the courts.