Council Offers Reassurance Amid Concerns Over East Lodge

Rejects chance of rogue demolition as decision continues to be delayed

The East Lodge at Lammas Park

August 28, 2025

Ealing Council has issued a statement to reassure residents about the future of East Lodge in Lammas Park, following growing concern over the lack of progress on a planning application submitted six months ago.

The proposal, submitted in January 2025 by East Lodge Lammas Ltd under reference 250344FUL, seeks permission to demolish the Victorian lodge and replace it with a six-storey block of flats containing six residential units.

Since the application was made, more than 3,000 objections have been submitted—believed to be the highest number ever recorded for a planning application in the borough. The consultation period closed in February, but no formal update has been provided since, prompting speculation and anxiety within the local community.

The East Lodge, built in 1893 as part of the original design for Lammas Park, is located on Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) and is currently not listed or included on Ealing’s Local Heritage List. The applicant argues that the building is uninhabitable and has been vacant for two decades, though residents dispute this, stating that a family previously housed there by the Guinness Trust was relocated only a few years ago under the impression that renovations were planned.

The proposed development would include one four-bedroom flat, three three-bedroom flats, and two two-bedroom flats. The applicant claims the scheme would contribute to meeting local housing needs, particularly for family-sized units. However, critics argue that the demolition of East Lodge could set a precedent for similar developments in other parks and open spaces across the borough. There are three other park keeper’s houses in the Ealing area including the West Lodge in Lammas Park and two in Walpole Park.

Concerns have also been raised about the potential for unauthorised demolition. In a video published by local news channel Exposure Box, Eric Leach of West Ealing Neighbours referenced rumours that demolition papers had circulated within the council, though two councillors have denied this in writing. Mr Leach warned that any illegal demolition could result in only a modest fine compared to the potential profits from redevelopment. He has called on residents to contact him with ideas for how the demolition might be prevented, even suggesting that civil disobedience might need to be considered if formal channels fail. He can be reached at leachericalan@gmail.com.

In response, Ealing Council has stated that the application is still under review due to “complex planning matters involved” and emphasised that no demolition can lawfully take place without the necessary permissions. A spokesperson said, “The planning application for East Lodge is currently under careful consideration. It is important that the decision is robust and transparent, which can take time. We want to reassure the community that demolition cannot lawfully take place without the necessary permissions. The council will take swift enforcement action against any unauthorised works or deliberate neglect.”

A view of the proposed building as seen from Church Lane. Picture: Red + White

The site lies just west of Church Lane and east of Lammas Park, and is visually distinct from the surrounding residential streets. While the building is not currently protected, the council is reviewing its 28 conservation areas, and there is speculation that East Lodge could be incorporated into an expanded Ealing Green Conservation Area. No formal update has been issued on that process.

Concerns raised that the West Lodge could also be vulnerable if a precedent is created

The designs for the proposed flats were submitted by architectural firm Red + White, whose report acknowledges that East Lodge has “some architectural merit” but argues that its lack of statutory protection and the borough’s housing needs justify redevelopment.

At this stage no report has been published on the application by the borough planning team and it is not scheduled to be considered at a borough planning meeting. Two more are currently scheduled for this year on 17 September and 22 October but no agenda has been published for either.