LEADER’S
NOTES
“You could say we live in
the emerging ‘capital’ of
west London.”
Councillor Julian Bell
Leader of the council
T
Julian enjoying a game of boccia with competitors at last year’s Greenford Carnival
W
ith the arrival of Crossrail in 2019, Ealing will become one of the bestconnected London suburbs; and Property Week recently called Ealing ‘the
standout area of west London’ in terms of economic and regeneration
potential. You could say we live in the emerging ‘capital’ of west London.
There are already a lot of plans under way, and in some cases spades in the ground,
across the borough. For example, there is the proposed transformation of the
former Southall Gasworks site which could mean 3,750 new homes, shops, parkland
and community space being created, along with better transport connections,
walkways and cycle paths. This is on top of the ongoing Southall Big Plan projects.
There are a number of redevelopment plans for central Ealing wh ich should see
new homes, shops, restaurants and leisure facilities, following on the heels of the
Dickens Yard development. And then there are the £10billion plans for Park Royal
and Old Oak which could change that area dramatically.
However, it is not all about the ‘new’. We also need to preserve the historic threads
weaved into the fabric of our borough. They are critical to Ealing’s identity. That is
why Walpole Park has been restored to its Regency splendour by the council and why
Pitzhanger Manor is following suit; and why Ealing and Hounslow councils have teamed
up to revitalise and repair the stunning buildings and grounds in Gunnersbury Park.
he Ealing Summer Festivals
are, genuinely, something I
look forward to every year
and I eagerly anticipate the previews,
which you can see from page 10.
One of my personal favourites
is Greenford Carnival. I shall be
attending again this year. It is not only
a fun day out because of the displays,
food and music; but also because
I enjoy meeting people – some
new, some I have chatted to before,
others I know of old. There is always
something interesting going on.
O
n pages 14-15 you can
read about some of the
investment the council
has made in sporting facilities in
the borough, with more to come. I
have said since before the London
2012 Games that I regarded it as
essential that we should build on
the momentum they created to
mould a legacy for sports in Ealing.
Physical activity is fundamentally
important to a healthy lifestyle,
and it is never too late to take up
a sport – and also a great habit to
form when you are young. And,
therefore, we want to make this as
feasible as possible by doing what
we can to provide good facilities.
Getting this balance right is crucial. We want to be dynamic and to attract investment
and jobs for the future and the council is working hard on this – but part of Ealing’s
attraction is its past and its present. There is much to admire already which is one of the
reasons people want to live and work here.
around ealing
Summer 2016
5