Ground About to Be Broken on Massive Gurnell Leisure Centre Scheme
Council green lights commencement of work on the site
Councillors viewing the cleared site . Picture: Around Ealing
February 16, 2026
A new Gurnell Leisure Centre has moved a step closer, after the council approved the start of groundwork to prepare the site for construction. The decision, taken last week, marks one of the most significant milestones in a project that has been years in the making — and years in dispute.
The council’s cabinet agreed on Wednesday (11 February) that “enabling works” can begin in the coming weeks on a site which has been vacant since 2020. These early works will include ground excavation, site levelling, drainage and the set-up required before full construction can start later in the year. Once complete, the new centre will offer a 50-metre Olympic-sized pool, a waterpark with slides and a lazy river, exercise studios, a café and extensive outdoor facilities including a skate park, cycle track, outdoor gym and children’s playground.
Council leader Peter Mason welcomed the decision, describing it as “the next exciting phase” in bringing the long-awaited centre back into use. “We are committed to bringing a first-class Gurnell Leisure Centre back for residents to enjoy for decades to come,” he said. “We will see diggers and teams move on site in the coming few weeks to make sure the ground is ready for construction work later this year.”
The approval of groundworks comes after a protracted and often contentious planning process. The original redevelopment proposals, first brought forward several years ago, faced strong opposition from local residents’ groups and environmental campaigners. Concerns centred on the scale of the residential development linked to the scheme, the height of proposed tower blocks, the impact on Metropolitan Open Land, and the loss of mature trees around the site.
Two earlier planning applications were withdrawn or refused following significant public objections and changes in political leadership at the council. Campaigners argued that the council was tying the future of a vital public leisure facility to a large private housing development, while the council maintained that the residential element was necessary to fund the rebuilding of the centre.
The eventual outline planning permission, granted in January 2025, represented a compromise after multiple redesigns, reductions in building heights and further environmental assessments.
As part of the latest decisions, cabinet also approved the disposal of the neighbouring site for housing. Countryside Properties has been named as the preferred development partner, with the contract now entering a standstill period under procurement law. The outline planning permission allows for up to 300 new homes.
CGI of the skate park with one of the housing blocks in the rear. Picture: Ealing Council
Councillor Blerina Hashani, cabinet member for thriving communities, described the redevelopment as a “once-in-a-generation project”. She said,“This is a vital step that gets us ready to build. Gurnell is a complex project, and every milestone gives residents more certainty and momentum. We’ve secured planning permission, completed demolition, selected a new leisure operator and now approved the enabling works and the residential partnership.”
Enabling works are expected to begin very soon, with full construction due to follow later in the year. The council will bring forward the final funding strategy and main construction contract for cabinet approval in due course. As with all cabinet decisions, the project remains subject to call-in.
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