Opposition Request for Lammas Park Review Denied

Council refuses demand for full inquiry into troubled project

Many residents are unhappy at the loss of part of the park for over two years. Picture: Save Lammas Park/Facebook

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July 17, 2025

Ealing Council has stonewalled a request from the Liberal Democrats for a full review of the troubled Lammas Park Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS).

Opposition councillors demanded an independent review into the project during a debate at the council meeting on Tuesday (15 July). In addition, they asked the review’s report to be published. However, the proposal was rejected by the Labour administration.

The SuDS scheme has been plagued with difficulties since it began in May 2024. The intention was to install two drainage basins and swales to capture excess rainwater and protect around 2,700 nearby properties from flooding. While the project received initial planning permission in September 2023, subsequent work extended beyond the scope of the approved area, triggering the need for fresh planning permission. As a result, Ealing Council halted the project and announced plans to submit revised proposals which were approved earlier this year.

Some local residents have voiced intense opposition, with hundreds signing petitions to “ditch the swamp.” Critics raised safety concerns because the deep basins—up to three metres with steep bank slopes—were placed much closer than the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) guideline of 30 metres to the children’s playground. They also shared concerns about public health risks after a resident’s water sample found extremely high E. coli levels in the pond, prompting Thames Water and the council to temporarily block inflows until contamination was addressed .

Residents and the councillors have criticised what they claim is the lack of early or meaningful consultation, objecting that the planning process felt rushed or done without sufficient public input. Councillors from the Labour group have subsequently acknowledged that the scheme “could have been done better” and accepted that the original consultation had shortcomings.

By May 2025, the revised plans had been approved. They include flattened recreational spaces close to the basins, planting buffers, clearer water quality monitoring, and incorporation of RoSPA’s safety recommendations. Work was resumed with these changes and aims to reopen park areas as grass and planting mature through summer 2025 .

Cllr Connie Hersch, Crime, Anti-Social Behaviour, Communities and Culture spokesperson and Ealing Common ward councillor said, “Ealing Liberal Democrats believe that local residents deserve some openness and transparency on why this project has taken over two years and why concerns raised in the consultation have not been taken into account. “

Cllr Jon Ball, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Ealing Common ward councillor said, “The way Ealing Labour have delivered this scheme has left many residents frustrated, excluded, and frankly, bewildered. Two years of disruption in one of Ealing’s most treasured green spaces, without clear explanation or adequate communication, is not acceptable. We are disappointed that they are not open to a review and to improving the way they deliver future projects.”

A spokesperson for Ealing Council said previously in response to the call for the review, “Since 2023 we have listened, very carefully, to local residents, park users, and consulted with key organisations involved with flood prevention. Planning consultation took place from July to September 2023, which was open for public comment and we took on board additional feedback in the new planning application and revised designs accordingly.

“The Lammas Park project will see the completion of essential drainage works connecting the sustainable drainage system to the Thames Water system, significantly reducing flood risk. The water quality issue caused by a misconnection at a private property has been resolved. A long-term water quality monitoring plan will be introduced to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the system.

“The council apologises for the disruption caused to Lammas Park and thanks residents for their patience during the vital improvement works. People living nearby have received direct communication outlining the project details and information boards have been displayed on site to update park users.”