Forum Topic

Walpole Park theatre

An interesting idea but one not without potential drawbacks. Relocating the very popular summer festivals for a start. Where would the beer festival go? Southall?  Northolt? Not Lammas though with its huge and unnecessary drainage holes.It’s quite a sizeable chunk of the park to take out of public use for three years. For many local residents it’s the only access to outdoor space they have.One also wonders what the covenants on the park say about putting up a semi permanent structure there. LBE has form in ignoring proper governance of its public buildings and spaces (the Victoria Hall and Town Hall spring to mind) so doubtless it will railroad this proposal through. The dangling of ££ in front of Mason and co’s noses will be too great a temptation to resist, no doubt.

Simon Hayes ● 54d69 Comments

  Trash Ealing - Vote Liebore!

Rosco White ● 54d

Judging by the article on the front page it’s a done deal. Expect the usual sham consultation from LBE.All well and good saying it would improve the cultural offer in the borough but it depends what shows get put in there and whether the cost is sustainable. Will there be discount tickets for residents (who help pay for the parks with council tax)?Looking at the websites for the Canary Wharf and Wembley Park venues it’s obvious they are in proper buildings rather than a glorified marquee. The Canary Wharf theatre cost £26million to build. Nobody will expect anything like that in Ealing so Mason’s ‘long term plan’ is anyone’s guess.It’s fairly easy to access the West End from Ealing so it’s a tough ask to try to compete with the huge variety on offer there.But of course we are governed by geniuses so everything will turn out great!

Simon Hayes ● 54d

Wouldn't many of the festivals such as comedy, jazz and blues be accommodated in the new venue?One concern I would have is the impact on Questors. The Troubadour Theatre wouldn't necessarily be putting on the same sort of shows but it would give an another option for a night out.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 54d

The reports I’ve read say the existing festivals will relocate. If it’s a commercial venue operating to host west end shows it wouldn’t be suitable for the beer festival, and it would also have to pause its productions to host the music and comedy festivals.No doubt we will be fed some dubious information in due course.

Simon Hayes ● 54d

If the real reason for this “initiative” is to test Ealing’s appetite for culture why something so big and disruptive, when The Questors Theatre, 400 metres over the road in Mattock Lane, is already well established and would fit the bill adequately. Or is there another motive?

Tom Challenor ● 53d

We are dealing with LBE under Liebore, there WILL be another motive.Which will be revealed and we will all learn of after "Mission Accomplished."We have a Lovely Council.

Rosco White ● 53d

The council can charge rent for hiring out the park - it does so for other events already - and getting three years guaranteed income will help top up the coffers  for those councillor allowances.There will be the usual grandstanding from Peter Mason, a man so uninterested in the borough he barely knows where the ward he represents is. Some years back Julian Bell was making wild claims that Ealing could host the Olympics (yes, really!) as part of his sales pitch to developers. Mason is touched by the same hubris, unluckily for Ealing residents.

Simon Hayes ● 53d

Surely people can see the agendas for these clueless clowns they’ve voted into power have?They are actively handing London’s parks over to private businesses whilst taking a nice fee themselves.They do not care that these places were created by the Victorians for the free enjoyment of the local population which led to community etc. You will do as the state tells you and permits.Car ownership is a sin worse than the torture of small animals.Unless, of course, you are good with having your pocket picked to swell the council coffers so it can be blown on ever more hare brained schemes.Stay in your little boxes unless you come out of them as the state permits.THESE PEOPLE DO NOT REPRESENT YOU

Colin Goodman ● 50d

Tell it to The Lobotomised Lemmings who keep voting this shower back in.You'll never sway those of "The Vested Interests" though, for obvious £££££ reasons.                We have a Lovely Council.

Rosco White ● 50d

I’m told by one of the Ealing Beer festival organisers that the theatre idea was put to them a couple of years ago and that they would need to find an alternative venue for the festival. It was quietly withdrawn ahead of the elections but has resurfaced since Labour got back in.There’s no viable alternative site for the beer festival so if the theatre gets the go-ahead it’s another Ealing tradition down the pan.There’s apparently a demonstration outside  Perceval house tomorrow afternoon at 4.30. More effective would be to sign the official petition on the council website https://ealing.moderngov.co.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=105&RPID=3856230&HPID=3856230&fbclid=IwY2xjawUM_LFwZG9mBGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzQwOTk2MjYyMzA4NTYwOQABHlGsUFMh32OCus5nN4YI8S5zTSKOJYk9i1aVZ2OP_sDeX2LBVuR6UAYzMepv_aem_RcIBbPudCgEz2Lh8YjhaQAA decent venue for live music and other events would be great in Ealing, but not at the expense of yet more of our parks. Perhaps the well-paid council officers and councillors should have thought more about finding a brownfield site in central Ealing instead of fibbing us off with this.

Simon Hayes ● 48d

Having watched the Cabinet meeting this evening there’s no doubt that the theatre in Walpole Park will go ahead. Yet again Mason proved himself a master of bullshit, ably supported by his acolytes. A lot of guff about the benefits to the local economy, but no guarantees that such a boost will come, and more crucially no mention of how much the council stands to make from leasing out a large chunk of the park and where that money would be spent.Considering there’s currently no suitable permanent site for a theatre in central Ealing it’s unlikely such a site will miraculously appear in 2030. The land there is too valuable for housing development.It’s hard to be reassured by councillors who have repeatedly broken pledges in the past (‘no more tall towers’, Cllr Mason). This is a sleazy quid pro quo that ignores the wishes of those who live by or use the park.This will be another stitch up by the council. Have no doubt of that.

Simon Hayes ● 46d

Well there goes the Ealing Beer Festival. 30 odd years down the pan, I'm glad that I managed to go to most of them. Similarly the Blues and Jazz festivals need to find another place to go.

Peter Tolhust ● 46d

We have a Lovely Council.  Trash Ealing - Vote Liebore!              👍

Rosco White ● 46d

The idea of a high quality professional theatre in Ealing is a good one, but this isn’t it. Mason blathered on about Richmond and other places being ‘lucky’ to have traditional theatres. But what he’s proposing is entirely different.A marquee staging a long run of a West End style performances is very different to those theatres where there’s a constant turnover of plays, stand up and live music. Sure, some residents will onto what’s on offer by Troubadour, but unless they are uberfans it will only be the once. Many won’t be interested at all.We’ve had a Labour administration in Ealing for 16 years. Funny how they’ve never shown any interest in a cultural offer before. It took them over a decade to get Filmworks up and running and apart from the cinema that development is a pretty desolate place.Knowing the cost of something is different to knowing the value. Peter Mason and his chums should learn that lesson.

Simon Hayes ● 46d

"...they’ve never shown any interest in a cultural offer before." depends on which culture, some they will fall over themselves in the rush to throw money at it.

Rosco White ● 46d

So, not one dissenting Councillor.Just remember they are not listening to you even though you (the ones who did) voted for them.Have a think as to why this is being pushed through at the start of a new term in power and not near the end of it.Use your memory when the time comes

Colin Goodman ● 45d

Where is very simple reason to explain the lack of dissent. Dissenting means that you are moved from your position of responsibility as often happened under Julian bell. Being removed from that position means that you lose an allowance or perhaps two. (Example special responsibility and cabinet) those allowances can run into tens of thousands of pounds. Turkeys, or possibly more appropriately, pigs with their snouts in the trough, do not vote for Christmas.

N V Brooks ● 45d

I write as a devoted theatre-goer.This is a terrible idea and has to be stopped. Look at what has happened to Lammas Park and Gunnersbury Park. There is a creeping trend to exploit and monetise our parks. We learned during Covid if not before how vital free, unrestricted access to our open spaces is to our health and sanity. Our parks are the only safe places families and individuals can go to for as long as they like with no entrance fee. If this is allowed to continue, our grandchildren will ask us what parks once were.

Susan Hamlyn ● 44d

Nothing but carp after carp after carp with this Liebore administration, yet people keep voting for them.You get what you vote for.Go figure.

Rosco White ● 44d

It’s clear the dodgy handshake gang will get this through despite clear issues with it.What I don’t understand is the word “temporary”.I’d estimate the structure seen in the CGI’s would cost about £1.2 to 1.5Mill to manufacture and erect (might already exist though).Then you’ve got the running costs, maintenance etc which might be about £500k a year, all before actual production costs.So let’s say £3Mill over 3 years which is a Mill a year that’s just over 15,000 tickets to sell at around £65…. Do’able and then some.So…… if this is a great success and making coin for all involved what makes anyone think the three year lease will be the end of it? When does temporary flip into permanent?

Colin Goodman ● 42d

Please register and sign petition to stop Ealing Council renting out our green space for 3 years. There will be none of the usual summer festivals in Walpole park if this plan goes ahead. https://ealing.moderngov.co.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=105&RPID=3983761&HPID=3983761https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594516223042https://www.instagram.com/savewalpole?stkn=MTgxeDY0dWl3cW1vNg==https://x.com/savewalpole?s=11

Sharon Bewley ● 39d

I had to laugh when reading the last line in the Petition............ "The proposal contravenes Ealing Council's own policy for developing open spaces."Wot's new?  🤣When will the Utter Fools who vote Liebore ever understand that this Council doesn't give a Flying Fornication about you.ESPECIALLY if you're a Council Tax Paying Resident who props up the whole rotten mess.

Rosco White ● 39d

The council owns and operates the parks and it’s within its remit to stage events in them, subject to the relevant planning process being followed. It’s why we have the very successful summer festivals in Walpole.I think the key issue with this proposal is that it’s not being done openly and transparently. It was discussed two years ago then put on hold until after the election. We know why, but the opposition parties are missing an open goal here by not demanding to know the financial benefit to the council and where that money will be spent?It’s a public park and if the people of Ealing are to be deprived of it for three years then it should’ve the people of Ealing who benefit from the money. We won’t, of course.

Simon Hayes ● 39d

Walpole Park is Metropolitan Open Land -- that protection needs to be fought for and cherished or these clowns will take it away just as they have Lammas Park, their portion of Gunnersbury Park and the other clowns next door are doing to Boston Manor Park.Don't forget - Blondon Park has also been attacked and the latter day Stan & Ollie at LBE have got their great plans for linking the Borough's parks (mmmmmmm indeed) and there's also things moving at Warren Farm££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

Colin Goodman ● 38d

Having trouble signing petition. I've signed many from other organisations using a "one-click" system. Am I the only one?Answers in a brown paper envelope please!

Arthur Breens ● 38d

Arthur - it is not your usual Council account.The petition page uses a different system. You have register as a new user and then you can sign

Sharon Bewley ● 38d

Arthur - it is not your usual Council account.The petition page uses a different system. You have register as a new user and then you can sign

Sharon Bewley ● 38d

See the article in the Calendar on the front page of this website: they have reached the final of the National Theatre Awards and have been nominated as one of the country's best amateur venues.They are also raising money for their roof which is being match-funded up to £50,000 ie if they can get there they will have £100,000.https://questors.org.uk/2026/09/04/raise-the-roof-update/

Philippa Bond ● 35d

who are also shortlisted for the https://questors.org.uk/2026/09/04/raise-the-roof-update/

Philippa Bond ● 35d

There are any number of empty sites along the Uxbridge Road that could house this theatre.Maybe it is because I was born just after the war but I hate to see waste. These demolition sites could easily house  theatres and some could be used for car parking. All temporary until the owners decide what to do. They have taken long enough. This council has lost its way. It can't maintain the parks and it can't maintain public assets. What on earth has happened?

Arthur Breens ● 32d

You know the answer to your question , Arthur. Too long in power and run by individuals more interested in themselves than anything else. Complacent, hubristic, dogmatic, arrogant, dishonest, ignorant, plus any number of other negative epithets.I suspect that the tidal wave of protests unleashed over this theatre will see it consigned to the bin. News that the Troubadour venture in Enfield has been pulled owing to, among other things, failing to bring the expected economic benefits has fatally undermined Ealings’s business plan. Mason can’t be that stupid to ignore public opinion, can he?

Simon Hayes ● 32d

It would be laughable were it not disgraceful the way they have withdrawn all maintainance from parks and public spaces,like Scotch Common and what was Perivale Golf Courseand called it 'rewilding'.Scotch Common looks awful and as you can't see into the space from the road,quite an intimidating nd potentially very dangerous looking place to enter.

Keith Iddon ● 32d

The irony is that the council relies on community volunteer groups like LAGERCAN to keep parks and other public areas litter free, then don’t bother to consult them when planning to stick a giant tent in Walpole for three years.Rewilding is a bit of a misnomer. Careful planting of native species and creating the proper habitats for wildlife is very different to leaving large swathes of parkland to become weed infested zones. Still, it’s cheap.

Simon Hayes ● 31d

'Weeds' is a racist term for wild plants and wild flowers.  Are you expecting them to get permission to land?  I'm surprised you haven't called them illegal weeds.

Philippa Bond ● 30d

If you areat all serious there Philippa,perhaps you have been smoking too much of it lately.

Keith Iddon ● 30d

Omg, literally sick inducing phillipa

Peter Yale ● 29d

Weeds are a "racist" term, whatever next ! Flippa is obviously going mad.

Peter Tolhust ● 29d

If you are not a Lefty, EVERYTHING you say is "Racist!" to a Lefty.Or "Nazi!" or "Fascist!" or, their new darling.... "Divisive!"Lefties lost the plot years ago.

Rosco White ● 29d

Instead of just rattling around in your own echo chambers why not look at the bigger picture:https://policy.friendsoftheearth.uk/insight/how-britain-became-one-most-nature-depleted-countries-world

Philippa Bond ● 28d

Philippa, you could help the drive for net zero by donating your hot air to the cause. There’s enough emanating from you to power half of London.You clearly know very little about most things but put yourself forward as an expert on pretty much everything.Certainly plonking  massive tent across large parts of Walpole and encouraging thousands of people to trample across it isn’t going to improve the ground compaction there.Weed is a perfectly acceptable term. If you got out a bit more you might learn that the RHS uses the term, and it’s used to describe a plant griwingcc bf where it’s not wanted. There are umpteen invasive non native species of plant growing all over the UK and there are ones in Lammas Park that the council has been made aware of. You won’t be so strident if they find their way into your garden and smother your roses.The Council has laughably declared the Lammas ditches a wetland, without applying any resources to ensure such a habitat is properly maintained. One suspects it won’t be looked after whatsoever but simply left to fester.This isn’t an echo chamber. It’s an online forum. Just because you showed yourself up there’s no need for you to make spurious claims.

Simon Hayes ● 28d

I suppose you would be busy spraying everything with weedkiller and poisoning the wildlife and us and the whole landscape even further.There are wild flowers and plants there and not just grass.  Why should there be just grass? There shouldn't be for biodiversity.Just not wanting any change makes for an echo chamber.We are in a drought right now but at some point with the climate change that we are experiencing there is likely to be a lot of rain. It will take a long time for the reservoirs to fill again.I never said anything about it being perfect.

Philippa Bond ● 27d

You suppose wrong Philippa. That’s the problem with you and your fellow left wing utopians, you automatically assume anyone who slightly disagrees with you is evil. It’s a fundamental character flaw you display time and again. There’s none so intolerant as those who think they aren’t judgmental.You can’t even follow an argument. Nobody said there should just be grass, but there needs to be proper management of parks that are rewilded because there is always a danger that dominant species can take over, particularly invasive non native ones. There are waterways clogged with Himalayan Balsam, creating monocultures and eroding river banks. There are stretches of the Thames in Oxfordshire very badly affected.Maybe you should get out more.

Simon Hayes ● 27d

Just go and look in the mirror Simon.  What is it with you that you always have to make personal attacks on anyone with a different view to yours?

Philippa Bond ● 27d

Come on Philippa. Grow a thicker skin. You accuse everyone else of x, and z behaviours without a shred of evidence. Apparently I ‘spray weed killer everywhere’. Your knowledge appears to come from the numerous links you post, many of which are out of date or irrelevant.You constantly grumble about how other people live when it’s really no business of yours. Maybe you should get a hobby to occupy your time instead of lecturing everyone her and on other forums.

Simon Hayes ● 27d

And apparently according to her,you  are a racist because you don't like weeds.A more half baked and ridiculous idea in the history of mankind would be hard to find,but unfortunately it's what we have almost grown to expect from her.If anyone existed in an echo chamber it's her,no one ever seems to agree with what she says and quite often makes 5 or 6 consecutive posts on a thread,usually one that goes nowhere.Sad.

Keith Iddon ● 27d

Calling plants "weeds" is an over the top extreme reaction to something growing there just because it isn't grass!Generally a weed is a plant that has not been deliberately planted in position but since many people wouldn't recognise the difference between cultivated or self-seeded plants and rare wild orchids or other plants - deliberately or unintentionally or just accidentally planted or self-seeded - the definition is pretty unnecessary and useless.  There is a place for nearly all those plants who choose to grow there too.  Grass can also be a weed.I watched a wren catching a floating thistle seed the other day.  I've seen goldfinches pulling dandelion seeds out of a dandelion clock.  If you actually spent more time looking and watching and enjoying wildlife instead of ranting you might see those too.Perhaps we should bring back a Be Nice to Nettles Week since so many British butterflies lay their eggs on nettles. We've already had a well known contestant on a well known show who didn't know that caterpillars turn into butterflies.On University Challenge just last night the contestants couldn't even recognise an oak leaf.  Soon we and our children won't be able to recognise any of our well known trees.  Our literature will lose a lot of meaning.  Even Ealing Council has changed the Ealing logo so that the tree has no leaves on it at all! You'd think it was acid rain all over again - when led by Govt we actually changed our behaviour to stop that!

Philippa Bond ● 27d

More gripping excerpts of Tales from the Riverbank next week...

Keith Iddon ● 27d

Oh Philippa, when will you stop digging yourself deeper and deeper into a hole?I guarantee that I’m out and about a lot more than you. And I can absolutely guarantee that I can tell the difference between a plant that you’d want in your park or garden and one you wouldn’t. But you carry on with your delusions.It’s hilarious that you take offence to the term weed, when it’s a perfectly acceptable term to normal people, including pretty much every horticulturist. Japanese knotweed. Maybe it should be renamed, eh?A plant growing in the wrong place is a weed. The most beautiful rose growing in the centre circle of Wembley Stadium’s pitch is a weed, no matter how fragrant and lovely it is.Maybe you need to smoke less weed.

Simon Hayes ● 27d

I have spent the last 24 hours searching for these sandwich that Philippa was lost because she is definitely one short of a picnic. I have stopped a reading the twaddle that she posts and the unsubstantiated links. Mostly irrelevant and hijack thread to support a VERY narrow agenda.

N V Brooks ● 26d

https://x.com/i/status/1790395944086753712?mx=2 ........ straight from the horse's mouth!

Rosco White ● 26d

I'm a bit taken aback with the vehemence of some people against this proposal. You always get those who oppose any innovation on principle and there is much evidence of that here. There are good arguments against the idea but these need to be balanced against the positives.

A three year residency for a professional theatre in Ealing would be a boon to the area and it would be great to be able to walk to see a play or a show.  The consultation process still needs to be gone through and so an assessment can be made of the environmental impact and the effect on biodiversity.  I don't buy the idea that The Questors would suffer. Theatres tend to cluster as they do in the west end and an area benefits from being seen as a destination. Resources from Troubadour could also be made available to assist Questors. I'd be willing to support this if it was framed as a 'proof of concept' exercise with the end being a new theatre for Ealing in a permanent location. This would mean no extension after three years and evidence required of a good faith effort being made to relocate after that time.

Christine Mulligan ● 10d

Healing has already spoiled Lammas Park with the digging of unnecessary sumps and the creation of no-go areas when it is raining.  The last thing that the limited biodiversity of a Walpole Park  needs is for a ruddy tent to be plunked at the heart of it for over three years forced.   Troubadour is already struggling at other sites allegedly and already has an underperforming site in Wembley.

N V Brooks ● 10d

Most people aren't against the idea of a theatre, but rather it's the plans to use a large chunk of Ealing's most popular park to house it. Where was the grand plan for this type of facility when the planning of the town centre was being put together years ago? Maybe putting a theatre in the Filmworks development would have been better than the permanently unoccupied units there.There's next to no chance of a permanent theatre being built as a result of this experiment. Nowhere suitable in central Ealing and the costs would be astronomical. Look at the example of Watermans in Brentford. Closed for over two years despite being a going concern and no realistic prospect of a replacement being built, even though a site has been earmarked.

Simon Hayes ● 10d

The cinema was always to be at the heart of the Filmworks development that was a condition of approval for the housing — I don't think any of the other units could have accommodated a theatre. It is likely that whatever masterplan for the town centre was drawn up didn't include a theatre because, unlike many town centres in London, Ealing already had one. The council probably didn't initiate the Troubadour proposal so it has to be considered in isolation. It is for this company to determine whether or not a permanent theatre would be viable at another site in Ealing. Although development on some of the bigger schemes has been paused it has to be presumed that as some point building activity resumes and there will be opportunities — it may be that the Haven Green squash club scheme could provide one. There is an ongoing consultation where people could suggest this. For Troubadour a three year tenure at Walpole Park would allow them to develop both a front of house and backstage team plus test for demand. Ealing is now a short trip from the West End thanks to the Elizabeth line and so the potential market is huge. The town centre urgently needs to increase footfall — Filmworks and Dickens Yard have massive potential but they are failing so something needs to be done to stimulate the local economy. If this is the first step on providing a major draw to the area then it is a sensible policy. If, and only if, there are guarantees on biodiversity impact, full restoration of the park and no extension of the tenure, then I see no good reason not to give this proposal a chance.

Christine Mulligan ● 7d

If you can extract a guarantee of biodiversity preservation and a full timely restoration then you will achieve something akin to a miracle like the parting of the Red Sea.  Look up the sumps which have ruined Lammas Park and eatings involvement with Gunnersbury Park and you can see why my cynicism is well-founded

N V Brooks ● 7d

Don't really see the comparison with Lammas — this is a third party and it would be nothing out of the normal to make enforceable guarantees on environmental impact a condition of planning permission.

Gordon Southwell ● 7d

There's no chance of a permanent professional theatre being built in Ealing. The costs will be astronomical by 2030 and there's no suitable site that isn't already earmarked for residential development. The Canary Wharf site cost £26m for Troubadour.As for enforcing contract terms to maintain the park, there's not a great record of that with other things the council has agreed to. Hire bikes just one example

Simon Hayes ● 7d

Not sure how you can make such a categoric statement with such confidence. There are a number of potential sites within the British Land portfolio in central Ealing alone. Given the market it would seem likely they would be looking to switch away from office to mixed use residential. A theatre at the bottom of one of the towers might be used as a planning sweetener. This is obviously speculation but Troubadour has built three theatres in partnership with developers and I don't see how you could rule out the possibility of it happening. If this is what is occurring, we wouldn't be told at this early stage but, as has been pointed out above, a three year residency in Walpole Park would provide a ready made team for a new theatre. Perhaps the council is aware of how this fits into the broader plan for the town centre which is a reason for their enthusiasm for the scheme. As I say, speculation, and it does raise the question why the council wouldn't reveal more at this stage but we may learn more when the application comes to be discussed by the planning committee. The e-bike comparison is not useful — the council has an MoU with some of the operators which gives it relatively little leverage — a planning condition would have the force of law and it would be possible to get recompense through the courts if any commitments were reneged on.

Gordon Southwell ● 7d

Liberal Democrat councillor Julian Gallant, representing Ealing Broadway — noticed this in the piece on the proposed theatre. Didn't know that he had jumped ship!

Peter King ● 7d

It is interesting that the council is adamantly refusing to release the preplanning report. That could be just a reflexive lack of transparency or could be that there are commercial reasons why it can't be published. I don't know enough about the planning process to know whether they would have to make a full disclosure but there would need to be increased openness.

The consultation would presumably also include an Environmental Impact Statement and more information on how the park would be protected and restored. It would perhaps be better to read these first before reaching a firm conclusion about whether or not this is a good idea.

Mark Evans ● 6d

The council is not making any secret of its longer term ambition to have a theatre. See below for the report it has published on the matter. There could be two scenarios here — firstly this is speculative and no discussions even on an outline basis have taken place or secondly — a partner, perhaps Troubadour, perhaps another operator like ATG have expressed an interest and the council is actively working with them to facilitate this aim. What the council's responsibilities on disclosure are — I couldn't say.

Gordon Southwell ● 6d

All well and good but it doesn't mitigate losing a large proportion of Ealing's most popular park. I know you are a staunch supporter of Ealing Labour, Gordon, but the bottom line is how much is this going to cost taxpayers? I heard arguments against subsidies for garden waste collection because 'not everyone has a garden'. Not everyone will be keen on a theatre as it simply won't interest them.Perhaps the council should have been more honest from the outset. They've had two years to talk about this. Apparently residents are supposed to be front and centre in the decision making process. Doesn't seem to apply here.

Simon Hayes ● 6d

" Apparently residents are supposed to be front and centre in the decision making process. " Residents never have been under Liebore, and never will be. Only Lemmings and Those With Vested Interests vote for this Crock..

Rosco White ● 6d

Strikes me that Mason and his bunch of serial underachievers are fully behind this proposal in a move akin to "bread and circuses* where a little entertainment took the attention of the plebiscite away from the systemic failures of the state.  We have failed to deliver on so many levels the perhaps if we give them a theater they may forget how incompetent we are.

N V Brooks ● 5d

Simon, you don't know I am a staunch supporter of Labour because I am not. If you search through this forum, you will find plenty of occasions when I am critical of them.

I am a staunch supporter of facts based analysis of local matters and a staunch opponent of partisan attitudes that rule out any consideration of nuance or complexity in what people in positions of authority have to deal with. The reflexive approach of you and others that everything that this council does is wrong is counterproductive because your criticism have no force even if you have identified genuine incompetence or bad policy. Labour's decision to agree in principle to a three year lease on the park was done transparently and they have laid out their reasons for doing it. You may disagree with it, and I fully understand why many do but they haven't been dishonest. There may be commercially sensitive aspects to this that we are not being told but not revealing this is not in anyway peddling falsehood.

The application will now have to go to a planning committee. Although Labour has a majority and can in theory push through any application, ultimately the decision has to be based on planning law. This will include a series of statutory public protections for open spaces. If objectors can show the plan is illegal it won't happen. Your argument about not everyone being interested in the theatre misses the bigger point here. The centre of Ealing appears to be failing. Filmworks and Dickens Yard have tumbleweed rolling through them and the Broadway shopping centre is much less busy than it used to be with a poorer range of shops. Something needs to be done.

I don't know if a theatre forms part of a Labour masterplan to revitalise the centre but, if it did, it seems like a sensible approach. It could also be the case that they are so desperate for cash, the small increase in income from a three year lease is seen as justifying the backlash.

Neither you or I know the full story. The difference is, I don't automatically assume that everything the council does is wrong. I will look at the application including the reports on the impact on the park, consider whether there is any real prospect of the end result being a permanent theatre, and decide accordingly.

Gordon Southwell ● 5d

Come off it Gordon. You come across as an arch apologist for this administration. Defend them by all means but don't pretend that all your posts are based on facts. They are in laughably short supply on many issues, and particularly on this.The whole premise of the theatre is based on air fairy what ifs from the council. They've done no cost benefit analysis or produced any figures to support anything they claim. Strange, since they've had two years to do that. It certainly won't happen between now and January. It's just bluster from Mason to show how clever he is.Criticising the council isn't a crime, and everything I post is backed up by evidence, often stuff produced by the council that they've interpreted incorrectly or just made up.Lammas Park. Bold claims made about the need for the SuDs, but no environmental impact assessments done, no health and safety assessments done, incorrect planning applications, work done badly and no obvious oversight by the council on land it is responsible for.Ealing Town Hall. Dubious claims about the financial benefits to Ealing residents from disposing of the building for a boutique hotel. Ignoring FoI requests from Arthur Breens for the list of alleged defects that meant the building wasn't safe to use. Ignoring the court orders requiring proper restructuring of the charitable trust. On it goes.There are numerous examples of council incompetence, laziness or perhaps even corruption. All over the borough. Henry Construction and its £40m gift from LBE with no due diligence done. Councillor allowances doubled since 2022 with no obvious improvement in performance or accountability. No more tall towers, yet they keep springing up everywhere with Trumpers Way about to be the latest area to be Gothamised, much to the horror of existing residents.
You might be happy with the council but there are plenty who aren't.

Simon Hayes ● 5d

While I'm sure you'll admit to there being a lot of ifs and buts in what you say, I hope you are right in your broader argument that there is a bigger plan here. We should see soon enough.

One thing I think we can rule out is the theatre (even a smaller replacement one for Questors) being at the site of the Haven Green Squash Club which I suggested as a possibility earlier. I went and had a look down the alleyway and I don't think you need architectural expertise to see the footprint is too small.

Christine Mulligan ● 3d

Are you sure? While I haven't been down that alley way for a long time, I remember it as being a sizeable space. There is a Google Streetview snippet below. The podium of the proposed tower would possibly be able to incorporate a reasonably sized theatre and the early consultation has shown a willingness on the part of the developer to give it over to community use. 

Gordon Southwell ● 7h

Perhaps you are right — I wasn't sure wither the yard was included in the project site. Wouldn't there be access issues for the venue?

Christine Mulligan ● 7h