Demolition Approved for Listed Southall Community Centre
Merrick Road building to be replaced by tower blocks up to 22 storeys tall
The Southall Community Centre. Picture: Google Streetview
January 22, 2026
A listed community centre is set to be demolished to make way for a series of connected blocks of flats up to 22 storeys tall.
The Southall Community Centre, at 20 Merrick Road, sits near to Southall Elizabeth Line station. It is set to be replaced by the tower block and smaller connected blocks totalling 215 flats after the Ealing Council Planning Committee granted approval to the project on Wednesday (21 January). The Greater London Authority (GLA) now has the final say before the development is 100% confirmed.
There will be five different elements of the building, with the tallest reaching 22 storeys. The smallest element is six storeys, and the other elements reach eight, 10, and 16 storeys high. All are interconnected.
However, the development does fall short in its affordable housing provision. Ealing Council policy usually requires at least 35 per cent of new developments to be designated as affordable.
This can fall under shared ownership, London affordable rent and social rent. However, this development only provides 35 affordable homes, which equates to 16 per cent – 19 per cent short of council policy.
Of these 35 affordable flats, 26 are shared ownership, and nine under London affordable rent – none will be available for social rent. This was considered the better of two options on the table, with option two offering only 27 affordable units.
Planning officers outlined that any higher levels of affordable housing would threaten the delivery of the entire scheme. There are varying sizes of homes offered in the scheme. It comprises 20 studios, 90 one-bedroom flats, 72 two-bedroom, and 33 three-bedroom flats.
The development would be car free – aside from four disabled parking bays – instead offering tenants 405 cycle parking spaces. All flats will also have private balconies.
The amenity space would be a net loss given the demolition of the community centre, however there will be some rooftop amenity space for residents. Additionally, the developer has agreed £1.4 million in Section 106 contributions which will cover education, healthcare, and public realm impacts.
A visualisation from the developer of the planned tower blocks
Despite the loss of a locally listed building, officers concluded that the benefits far outweighed the harm. There had long been complaints about the state of the community centre building.
A total of 48 representations were received from residents, with 26 in support of the proposals and 22 against. Supporters of the proposals argued that the existing site was associated with antisocial behaviour, drug dealing and fly-tipping.
The main objections related to feared “overdevelopment” of the site, with some residents concerned that the buildings would be “visually oppressive”. However, there was broad support for the development.
Inside the committee room, favour was much more on side for the development amongst councillors than that of residents. Only two voted against the plans, and there was one abstention within an otherwise unanimous committee.
As such, the application was granted. It will now be referred to the Mayor of London at the GLA for a final decision.
Philip James Lynch - Local Democracy Reporter
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