Ealing Council has rejected a motion seeking to cancel plans to build a temporary theatre in Walpole Park. At a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, October 13, the Liberal Democrats brought forward proposals to cancel the plans, which have received fierce local opposition. Three local petitions were created opposing the project, reaching almost 8,300 signatures.
Opposition cites green space, noise, and traffic concerns
Opposition councillors from the Liberal Democrat, Conservative, and Green groups argued that erecting a massive temporary structure would destroy vital green space, generate severe noise and traffic congestion on Mattock Lane, endanger local wildlife, and threaten the financial viability of the longstanding Ealing Summer Festival.
In response, council leadership defended exploring the three-year temporary arrangement as an initiative to revitalise Ealing Broadway's high-street economy, asserting that less than 10 per cent of the park would be affected. The council has stated that a full planning and public consultation process will take place before any binding commitments are made.
Councillors warn of disruption and festival risk
The Liberal Democrat Councillor, Connie Hersch, warned of widespread disruption. She said: "I would be very keen to have a big theatre in Ealing, but one ideally which is providing performance and not just disturbance... Dispersing [the Summer Festivals] to different parks would not be feasible... Our much loved summer festival might disappear."
Council Leader, Peter Mason, framed the venue as a temporary test for cultural regeneration. At the council meeting he said: "Our high streets are dying... in terms of the rise of internet shopping competition and the lack of destination venues." He added: "Before a theatre company is going to invest tens of millions of pounds... they will need to understand whether a community like Ealing can sustain it... If it fails it goes."
Motion details soundproofing and removal guarantee
The motion argued that the proposed structure has "entirely inadequate soundproofing and so would cause noise nuisance to residents and local businesses, and to The Questors Theatre, and would cause sound issues for filming at Pitshanger Manor and Ealing Studios."
The Conservative Group sought to add a strict condition to the motion which requested: "In the event that the theatre is established notwithstanding council's requests above, [Cabinet] is committed to ensuring that it is removed from Walpole Park at the end of the three-year period." Cllr Gallant explained that the Tories insisted on this guarantee because without a hard deadline "three years can easily morph into an eternity." The Tory amendment was also defeated.
Next steps and financial details
The proposal is for a 1,200-seat theatre in a temporary structure in Walpole Park, Ealing, for three years. At the end of the lease period, the theatre would be removed and that area restored to public parkland. This does not yet mean that a theatre will definitely open in Walpole Park. Cabinet has approved the proposals in principle ahead of the standard planning process, which will still take place, allowing residents to comment.
Troubadour would pay Ealing Council a fixed fee for a period of three years - although the details of the fee have been restricted from public view due to 'commercial and financial sensitivities'.
