Busy Agenda for West Ealing Neighbours Public Meeting
Local issues from rough sleeping to development plans to be discussed
The Drayton Court Hotel
September 16, 2026
West Ealing Neighbours (WEN) will hold a public meeting on Thursday 8 October , bringing residents together to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the neighbourhood — from rough sleeping to major development proposals that could reshape the centre of West Ealing.
The meeting, which also includes WEN’s Annual General Meeting, comes at a time of rapid change across the area. WEN, founded in 2005, is one of West Ealing’s longest-standing community groups, known for its hands-on approach to local issues: campaigning for safer streets, supporting independent traders, organising community events, and scrutinising development proposals. Over the years it has been instrumental in shaping conversations around Crossrail, Dean Gardens, and the future of West Ealing’s high street.
The agenda reflects the breadth of concerns residents have raised in recent months.
The future of the café at St Mary’s Cathedral Café will be discussed, with residents keen to understand how the space will operate as a community hub and what role it might play in supporting local social activity.
One of the most urgent items is the rise in rough sleeping in Melbourne Avenue, a problem that has become more visible over the summer. Residents have reported an increase in tents, bedding and makeshift shelters near the Broadway, raising concerns about safety, support services, and the lack of coordinated intervention. WEN is expected to press for clearer communication from the council and local charities on outreach work and long-term solutions.
The meeting will also explore a new collaboration between Age UK and the West Ealing Community Library, aimed at expanding social activities for older residents and improving access to advice, companionship and digital support. With loneliness and isolation rising across the borough, the partnership is seen as a potentially significant development.
The controversial proposal for a pop-up theatre in Walpole Park will be another focal point. The idea has divided opinion locally, with supporters welcoming new cultural activity and opponents warning of noise, disruption, and the impact on a Grade II listed landscape. WEN has previously raised concerns about consultation and transparency, and the meeting is expected to revisit these issues.
A major development proposal for 577 single-occupancy units — described by residents as “bed-sitters” — in the heart of West Ealing will be scrutinised. The scale and density of the scheme have prompted questions about infrastructure, transport capacity, and the long-term impact on the character of the area. WEN has historically taken a strong interest in large developments, pushing for high-quality design, adequate green space and genuine affordability.
The meeting will also provide updates on several key development sites:
- Dean Gardens – ongoing discussions about safety, landscaping and future use
- Gurnell – the long-running saga over redevelopment of the leisure centre
- Green Man Lane – progress on the regeneration scheme and community facilities
- KwikFit site – proposals for redevelopment and concerns about height and massing
- Hastings Road – residential intensification and traffic impact
- Manor Road – the future of the controversial tower proposal
- St James Avenue – public realm improvements and business support
- Old Woolworths site – potential retail and residential redevelopment
With so many large projects underway or in planning, WEN’s meeting is expected to be one of its busiest in years and offers residents a chance to shape the conversation about the future of West Ealing at a moment when the neighbourhood is undergoing profound change.
Drayton Court Hotel is located at 2 The Avenue, West Ealing, W13 8PH.
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