Warren Farm Campaigners Say Consultation Backs Total Re-wilding

Over 1,500 give their views with less than half wanting sports provision

Warren Farm is highly valued as a local open space

Ealing Council has published the results of its consultation on the future of Warren Farm.

Campaigners in favour of keeping the site completely as a Nature Reserve, rather than restoring it partly to sports use, are claiming that the exercise has shown that a clear majority support their view.

The consultation sought the opinions of residents on how the space is currently being used, what can be improved and what sort of sports provision Southall and Hanwell need.

In answer to the question about what they valued most about Warren Farm, 70% of the 1,500 people who responded said they liked its biodiversity and open green space.

Those in favour of re-wilding the meadows believe that the questions in the consultation were leading but point out that, despite this, 57% of respondents when asked which sports should be provided on the site, said ‘no sport’, ‘not applicable’ or opted for “walking, running, cycling and horse riding, while preserving nature and wildlife.”

The council’s summary notes, “A majority of people say it is a valued green space and a wildlife haven and view it as a precious escape to nature for locals that should be preserved.”

Formerly Ealing’s largest outdoor sports ground, there has been no organised sport at Warren Farm for over a decade and the changing rooms and the pavilions are currently dilapidated.

The council is not interpreting the results as an endorsement of total re-wilding and points out that ‘a number’ of residents support incorporating sports facilities into an enhanced and improved green space on the site. There is also strong support for improved walking, cycling and running paths, and for the old buildings at the site be demolished as a part of a rejuvenation of the land. The council will be releasing a plan for the site later this year which, it is understood, includes a ‘compact’ sports facility.

Peter Mason, leader of the council said, “Our long-term ambition for Warren Farm has always been to get the best of both worlds – a future for the site which maintains its wild character for the benefit of people and nature, and also provides much needed sports facilities for the local community.

“We want to ensure that the views and needs of the community are placed front and centre in any long-term plans for Warren Farm, which is why we launched this consultation back in March.

“The results show that the space is valued by many local people in Southall, Hanwell and beyond and that there are a range of different opinions and views on the future of the site.

“We can see that that many people want to see the rich nature and biodiversity of the site protected in the future, but we also see calls for new sports facilities from across the community as well.

“A whole decade has passed with young people missing the opportunity to play football, cricket and other field sports on the Warren Farm Sports Ground. We need to make sure that the sports players of tomorrow have that chance.

“I want to thank everyone who took part in this consultation and we will closely consider these findings in future plans for Warren Farm.”

Brent River & Canal Society (BRCS) Trustee, Phil Belman remarked, “Despite the questions which were heavily loaded to a 'sports' outcome, it seems that this is not the view of the majority of the consultation’s respondents. This was a clear vote for wildlife and public access. Ealing Council take note please! 12,700 people on our petition are asking you to deliver the Brent River & Canal Society’s Vision. It is time to listen.”

Brent River & Canal Society Trustee and Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign officer, Steven Toft added, “This consultation shows that people are already using Warren Farm as a recreational nature reserve very much in line with the BRCS Vision. People value the re-wilded open space and use it to take regular exercise whilst enjoying the wildlife. Councils are being asked to increase biodiversity and healthy life expectancy. A nature reserve on Warren Farm will help to do both. The consultation has clearly shown that this is what people want.”

Katie Boyles, Trustee of the Brent River & Canal Society and Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign organiser said, ““It’s looking really good for the future of wildlife here, especially for those species such as our skylarks, a red-listed bird facing extinction in the UK. Skylarks need wide open spaces that enable them to nest on the ground away from fencing and trees, which predators can use as perches to pick-off their chicks. Their numbers are increasing year-on-year here and Local Nature Reserve designation for the entirety of our wildflower meadow will be a huge step towards safeguarding this unique habitat for them and for future generations to enjoy.

“We would like to thank all our supporters who contributed to the consultation. They have made their views plain and now it’s our job to work with the council to ensure those voices are heard.”

Meetings will now be held on detailed proposals for Warren Farm and the Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign says it will be ‘buoyed’ by the consultation outcome and the 12,700 signatures on its petition which it continues to urge people to sign.

This Thursday (4 August) Ealing Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee voted not to endorse the Liberal Democrat’s proposal that Warren Farm should be free from a cricket pitch. At the meeting Katie Boyles spoke giving a large set of evidence that having cricket or other sporting pitches on Warren Farm will cause a significant loss of biodiversity.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition on Ealing Council said, "Liberal Democrats are very disappointed that the Labour-run Ealing Council have not given a guarantee to protect the wildlife on Warren Farm. The results of a Council public consultation about Warren Farm showed that the vast majority of people liked the biodiversity and open space and want Warren Farm preserved and improved as a nature reserve. In the meeting it was revealed that the full Council plan for Warren Farm would be released in November and that it would involve a compact sporting facility. Liberal Democrats want to see representatives of all parties and experts on Warren Farm get around a table so options can be discussed, to see what might be possible to ensure the protection of this green space.”

August 9, 2022