Ealing Council has approved the start of groundwork on the long-awaited new Gurnell Leisure Centre, marking a major step forward in the redevelopment of one of the borough’s most significant community sites.
The decision, agreed by the council’s cabinet on Wednesday (11 February), gives the green light for “enabling works” to begin in the coming weeks. The preparatory phase will include excavation, levelling, drainage installation and site set-up – laying the foundations for full construction later this year.
For residents, it signals that the long-promised rebuild is moving from plans on paper to activity on site.
A flagship facility
The new Gurnell Leisure Centre is designed to be one of London’s standout sports destinations. Plans include a 50-metre Olympic-sized swimming pool – making Ealing one of just three London boroughs to offer one – alongside a waterpark complete with slides and a lazy river.
There will also be fitness studios, a café, and extensive outdoor facilities including a skate park, cycle track, outdoor gym and children’s playground.
Council leader Peter Mason said the approval marks “the next exciting phase” of the project.
“We are committed to bringing a first-class Gurnell Leisure Centre back for residents to enjoy for decades to come,” he said. “In the coming weeks, people will start to see diggers and construction teams on site preparing the ground for the main build later this year.”
Housing plans move forward
Alongside the leisure centre progress, cabinet members also approved the disposal of adjacent land for housing development. Countryside Properties has been named preferred partner for the scheme, which has outline planning permission for up to 300 new homes.
The contract now enters the statutory standstill period required under procurement rules.
Councillor Blerina Hashani, cabinet member for thriving communities, described the project as “once in a generation”.
“Gurnell is a complex scheme, and each milestone gives residents greater certainty,” she said. “Planning permission is secured, demolition is complete, a new leisure operator has been selected, and now enabling works and the residential partnership are approved. Step by step, we are moving closer to delivering the outstanding facility our communities deserve.”
Enabling works are expected to begin in the spring, with the main construction contract and funding strategy due to return to cabinet for approval later this year.
As with all cabinet decisions, the approval remains subject to the council’s formal call-in process.
