Ealing Council's Planning Committee has approved the redevelopment of the Southall Community Centre site on Merrick Road, despite concerns about the loss of a locally listed building and the level of affordable housing. The decision was made at a meeting on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, following a review of planning application 223246FUL.
The approved proposal involves demolishing the existing buildings and constructing a mixed-use development ranging from six to 22 storeys. The new building will include community and commercial spaces on the ground and mezzanine floors, with 215 flats above. The development also features associated cycle and vehicle parking and a new access road along the southern boundary of Merrick Road.
While the committee approved the project, concerns were raised about several aspects, including the loss of the locally listed building currently on the site. According to the Public Reports Pack, the existing building, constructed in 1910, was deemed to have architectural value and relevance to local history.
Another point of contention was the proportion of affordable housing included in the development. Of the 215 flats, 35 (19%) are designated as affordable, with a tenure mix of 76% shared ownership and 24% London Affordable Rent. This conflicts with the council's preferred tenure mix of 60% London Affordable Rent/Social rent and 40% intermediate. However, the Public Reports Pack states that viability assessments concluded the scheme could not viably support more affordable housing or planning obligations.
The development is expected to provide several benefits, including a significant increase in housing stock and new community/commercial space. The project also includes a new public realm area, improved landscaping, and sustainable design features such as a roof-mounted air source heat pump and photovoltaic arrays. The Public Reports Pack notes that the development is car-free and has been assessed by Transport Services and TfL, who consider it acceptable subject to conditions and financial contributions towards:
- a footbridge over the railway line
- improvements to nearby junctions
- footway improvements near the site
- bus stop improvements
- traffic calming measures
- review of the existing controlled parking zone (CPZ)
- improvements to cycle infrastructure near the development
- bus capacity improvements.
The developer will contribute £1,397,500 through a Section 106 agreement towards various local improvements, including education, healthcare, air quality monitoring, and transport infrastructure. Regulatory Services have requested that air quality monitors are installed on site and that they have direct access to monitoring data at all times for the duration of the project. The monitors should be installed at least four weeks before any site clearance and demolition to provide baseline data and maintained on site until the first occupation of the approved development. The contributions are detailed in the Public Reports Pack:
| Contribution Heading | Proposed Contributions |
|---|---|
| Education infrastructure | £220,000 |
| Healthcare provision | £350,000 |
| Air Quality Monitoring | £31,780 |
| Carbon Dioxide Offsetting | £164,000 |
| Renewable & Low Carbon Energy Monitoring | £10,974 |
| Children's playspace provision | £4,626 |
| Allotment provision | £18,000 |
| Sports provision | £75,000 |
| Town Centre Improvements | £75,000 |
| Improvements to junction of The Green / Merrick Road (A3005) | £20,000 |
| Merrick Road link improvement scheme | £20,000 |
| New pedestrian / cycle bridge across railway line | £35,000 |
| Traffic calming measures near the development | £20,000 |
| Footway improvements on Merrick Road beside the development | £20,000 |
| improvements near Cycle infrastructure the development | £20,000 |
| Bus stop improvements near site | £10,000 |
| Review existing CPZ near the development to extend to adjoining roads | £15,000 |
| TfL Bus services improvements | £255,120 |
| Employment Training | £30,000 |
| Travel Plan Monitoring | £3,000 |
| Total Contributions | £1,397,500 |
The Council's Regeneration section has requested that the developer produce a Local Employment & Training plan, which will set out commitments for both the construction phase of the development and end user opportunities. These would include a financial contribution, 15 apprenticeships over three years, access to jobs and training opportunities, school and college visits and workshops, and end-user opportunities in the commercial space to be promoted through Work Ealing brokerage service.
The planning permission is subject to a stage two referral to the Mayor of London and the completion of legal agreements. The committee also approved the minutes from their previous meeting on 18 June 2025, as detailed in the Published Draft Minutes.
