Locals object to plans for Christmas Tree farm

Ealing Council is considering closing Horsenden Hill Golf Course and turning it into a mixed leisure facility and money making Christmas tree farm.

The Council say the 80-year-old golf facility has been operating at a loss in the region of £60,000 per year and they can no longer afford it.

Plans to change the site were approved before Christmas and, despite much opposition and being called in to scrutiny, were given the green light.

Ealing's cabinet member for transport and environment, Councillor Bassam Mahfoz, says they are now looking at options to create an outdoor leisure facility, introducing better walking paths and cycle tracks.

The possibility of turning some of the land into a spruce tree nursery is also being considered. It's estimated 6,000 trees per year could be grown on the nine hectares, making between £60 - £80,000 net revenue.

The first trees could be planted by the end of March and harvested in 2020.

Local resident David Harvey who spoke against the proposals says it's a slippery slope:

'' I think the views of and from this course (Horsenden Hill being the highest spot in Ealing) are probably the most beautiful in the Borough and to lose this area of the park to what would probably be a totally unviable Christmas Tree Farm would be a total violation of Ealing s parkland.

'' I am very disappointed that all three of our local Councillors Manro Byrne and Cogan support the the idea of a Christmas Tree Farm and once they have ruined this section of parkland will the park near you be next ?
If this goes ahead look out for further land grabs across the Borough.''

The action group are looking for more support and can be contacted on Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/horsendenhill/
Or at : horsendenhill@groups.facebook.com

21st January 2015