Ealing Council has approved the tendering of a contract to demolish Colne, Dee, and Humber Courts on the High Lane Estate in Hanwell, paving the way for a large-scale redevelopment project aimed at addressing the borough's housing needs. The decision, made during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, also includes the demolition of the High Lane Community Centre, which the council has noted is closed because it is no longer fit for purpose or deemed safe.
The estimated cost of the demolition contract is detailed within confidential appendix 1 of the High Lane Estate - Demo of Phase 1 Blocks report. The demolition works will be funded from the approved capital budgets, detailed within Table 2:
| 2025/26 | 2026/27 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| HRA Approved | £1,364,521 | £900,000 | £2,264,521 |
| Expenditure | |||
| Funded by: | |||
| Borrowing | (£1,364,521) | (£900,000) | (£2,264,521) |
The demolition will allow the council to move forward with plans to replace the existing 264 homes with 504 new homes, featuring ten blocks and a row of terraced houses delivered in three phases. While the Cabinet reports pack mentions these plans, specific design plans are not provided.
According to the Cabinet reports pack, vacant possession of the Colne, Dee, and Humber Courts, which contain 89 homes, was achieved in March 2025. The report does not detail the council's plan for rehousing residents or the support offered. However, a ballot held in December 2018 showed 91% of residents voted in favour of the redevelopment.
The decision comes after the resident ballot in December 2018, where 91% of residents voted in favour of the redevelopment. However, progress stalled when the development partner entered administration in October 2023. The council is currently considering whether the Principal Development Agreement (PDA) could be novated to a different developer or whether a reprocurement is required. The recommended option is that the council makes progress on the site by entering into a demolition contract and does not delay the demolition pending the outcome of that analysis and/ or reprocurement.
The council believes that proceeding with the demolition will maximise the site's land value and ensure progress while a new strategy for the site is determined. According to the Cabinet reports pack, the existing buildings are also vulnerable to anti-social behaviour, vandalism, and arson, and demolition would eliminate the need for costly security measures.
The report seeking authority to tender a contract for the demolition of High Lane's Colne, Dee, and Humber Courts does not specify measures to mitigate the environmental impact of the demolition, such as dust and noise pollution.
The minutes of the meeting show that Councillor Peter Mason, Leader of the Council, chaired the meeting, with Councillors Jasbir Anand, Louise Brett, Stephen Donnelly, Paul Driscoll, Blerina Hashani, Polly Knewstub, Shital Manro and Kamaljit Kaur Nagpal in attendance. Councillor Josh Blacker attended virtually.
