Ealing Council’s cabinet backs plans for a pop-up theatre in Walpole Park despite widespread local protests

Troubadour Theatre is a successful large-scale commercial enterprise: photograph Troubadour Theatre

The Troubadour Theatre in Walpole Park will seat 1,200 and will, according to Ealing’s Labour leadership, bring world-class performing arts to the borough that outweighs any negatives

Labour MP Rupa Huq, Ealing Liberal Democrats and environmental groups are unanimous in calling for the temporary theatre that takes up precious green space to be scrapped.

At a recent Cabinet Meeting members agreed in principle to offer a lease to the Troubadour Theatre for 3.3 years much to the dismay of park groups and environmentalists who were already expressing concern over the collapse of biodiversity in the borough.

Ealing Central and Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq joined growing calls for the council to reconsider, writing to Councillor Lauren Wall, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, ahead of that meeting. Dr Huq said she had been contacted by “numerous local constituents” and that there was “no need to sacrifice scarce green space” for a cultural project.

“There are numerous empty brick and mortar properties that could accommodate this, even our own sadly unused Town Hall,” she added.

Outpouring of opposition

In the room of the Cabinet Meeting, Councillor Gary Malcolm of Chiswick’s Southfield ward, challenged Labour to drop their controversial proposal given the huge amount of public backlash, but found the Labour leadership in no mood to cancel their plan.

A petition launched by Ealing Liberal Democrats now has over 1,700 signatories and Cllr Malcolm is urging opponents to add their voice ahead of a second Cabinet meeting plus a Planning Committee meeting, both later this year.

“The fight goes on. Residents can have a positive effect, and we can force Labour to change their mind.”

There are other petitions also gaining traction including on Change.org (847 signatories) and on Ealing Council’s ePetition (1,237 signatories) and green groups including the Ealing Parks Foundation (EPF), Abundance London, LAGER Can and Ealing Wildlife Group (EWG), to name a few, are organising a joined up collective response.

Walpole Park is the setting of Grade I listed Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

Green groups ignored

The umbrella organisation Ealing Parks Foundation believes that council officers should meet key stakeholders to discuss the proposal and questions why it was not brought up at an established forum of green and blue groups (set up by the council) in advance of the publication of Cabinet papers.

Co-chairs of EPF, Jane Fernley and Paul Carter, said:

“This is a much needed, high-quality green space in central Ealing and well used by residents and visitors throughout the year. The park is Grade II listed and in a conservation area; it is the backdrop to Pitzhanger Manor, itself Grade I listed. Nearby is the Questor’s Theatre, and businesses, services and cultural organisations, all of which may be adversely affected by the proposal.

No prior engagement

“The scheme has been worked up without prior engagement with green groups; the Cabinet report fails to mention the many potential negative impacts on would-be park users, residents, the green space, trees and wildlife. It is illogical that it is being rushed through in advance of the Green Infrastructure Strategy and Nature Recover Plan, which it has just commissioned.

“While EPF supports the drive to improve the cultural offer and local economy it should not be at the expense of precious green space. We feel that low impact, sustainable cultural events are much more appropriate in parks.”

EPF believes that discussions following the Cabinet’s decision should not be limited to Walpole Park but consider a range of more suitable alternative locations.

A boost for the local economy?

Council leader Peter Mason, however, wants to ‘move the West End west’ and has a bigger vision, which he first set out, on 2 September:

“This administration promised to bring world-class performing arts to the borough. We know that our high streets are struggling and this proposal will breathe new life into the Broadway encouraging visitors from all over the world.

“Such a big, new cultural attraction could boost our local economy and job opportunities – especially for cafes, shops and restaurants in West Ealing and Ealing Broadway. It will also help more people enjoy incredible live entertainment on their doorstep at more affordable prices.”

Testing demand for a permanent theatre

The proposal includes plans for a box office, foyer and bar alongside the fully-heated and air-conditioned theatre itself. If approved, the temporary venue would be there for three years and would help test demand for a permanent theatre elsewhere in the borough. Work could begin on site in the new year, and the theatre could be open by next Easter.

Councillor Mason added: ‘It’s important to stress that this is a temporary proposal. If approved, the theatre would be in place for a limited period before this section of Walpole Park is restored and returned to use as parkland.”

Walpole Park is Grade II listed and in a conservation area

Permanent damage to parkland

Dr Karen Liebreich, director of Abundance London, which looks after 40 pocket parks in Ealing and Hounslow, was “astonished” to read that such a plan would revitalise the Broadway or that the park could be “restored” and responded:

“Environmentally, this is catastrophic. Troubadour Theatre is a large-scale commercial media venture with successful productions to its name. Other councils have offered brownfield ‘meanwhile’ locations: you propose to give them a green oasis that will essentially destroy Walpole Park. The green space that is not directly built over – and irretrievably damaged – by construction, will be badly impacted by the access and exit of the thousands of visitors, staff, deliveries, with associated noise and light pollution. The nature and biodiversity of the park will be completely destroyed.

Spurious claims?

“The claims that this proposal will revitalise the High Street do not stand up to inspection: the venue will promote its own bar, as can be seen at their existing venues. On the contrary, local theatres, restaurants, cinemas and pubs will be adversely affected.

“You make spurious claims to build on various local and central government strategies which are completely fallacious.

“Your Cultural Manifesto, for instance, announces that ‘creativity contributes to our sense of place and identity’ but Troubadour provides generic West End mainstream productions. You claim to ‘reflect all cultures of Ealing’ but Troubadour’s existing portfolio shows no reflection of any local cultures, other than dinosaurs, American high schools and dystopian Hunger Games.

“Your Ealing Plan claims to be ‘investing in a strong, green infrastructure’ [but is this achieved] by building over existing parks?”

Environmental assessment is needed

Ealing Wildlife Group also strongly opposes the proposed location of the Troubadour Theatre in Walpole Park.

Chair Ben Barrett of EWG said:

“Even a three-year development can cause damage that lasts far beyond the term of a lease.

“Before any decision is taken, we believe the Council must clearly set out what ecological and environmental assessment have been, or will be, undertaken; what baseline data exists for the park’s wildlife and habitats; who will carry out those assessments; who will independently review their findings; and who will ultimately be accountable for preventing, mitigating and remedying any damaged caused.”

The chance to comment

The Council has said there will be “several opportunities for residents and businesses to have their say” including a formal consultation and the chance to comment on a planning application.

READ MORE:  Further details on the engagement events will be available on AroundEaling.com.

Councillor Gary Malcolm is sceptical, observing that there are risks associated with residents leaving their opposition until the last minute. When a proposal becomes a live planning application, opposing comments need to be written in a particular way and have to focus on a smaller number of factors. This means that the Council often ignores many of the views sent into the Council.

“If residents object now and in large numbers by signing the petition,” says Cllr Malcolm, “the Council can be embarrassed into withdrawing before it goes too far.”

READ MORE: The Liberal Democrat petition, now up to 1,700 signatories, can be found here.