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EXCITING plans are being drawn up for a bid to save one of Ealing’s flagship buildings from being sold off.
Ealing Council has proposed leasing the grade II listed building to a private company to convert into a hotel.
But campaigners against the plans have temporarily blocked them by registering the structure as a community asset and are busy coming up with a new proposal for it.
Ealing Council wants to give developer Mastcraft a 250 year lease for the building. The firm hopes to create a hotel, gym, pool and restaurant.
However, prices will increase for the numerous community groups which currently rent function rooms.
Ealing Voice has been given six months to draw up alternative plans to take over the building, which dates back to 1887.
Julian Smith, who set up the group, said it was important to keep the structure for the community rather than turning it into a hotel.
He said: “The town hall has been the heart of the civic administration and community of Ealing for over 125 years. Public subscriptions helped to build this irreplaceable community asset which has served us well for many generations.
“If it is lost to a private commercial operator now our community will never be in a position to replace it.”
Mr Smith added he would soon be ready to reveal Ealing Voice’s full plans.
He said: “We have a passionate desire to preserve real community access and improve this vital asset.
“Working with first class architects, and taking inspiration from highly acclaimed international projects, we will breathe new life into the town hall and into Ealing itself.”
To receive updates on the progress of the project email info@ealingvoice.com.
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Another step too far. No cinema, no swimming pool, no meeting halls, no community dance facilities, only high rise flats with no character. The Borough will have no heart, no central gathering place. We will in future have less community space, public leisure facilities and green spaces than in Victorian times. That era gave us three central swimming pools, many award winning council housing estates and Ealing town hall as a superb facility for community activities. Shame on you Ealing Council you have only contributed ugly high rise monstrosities for investors and luxury apartment owners.
Perfectly put Hazel
I sent this letter 7 Jan. Good to know the consultation period has been extended so more information is made available.
Dear Charity Commissioner and Mr Moore,
Having found out more about this, I wish to add to my earlier representations below.
I believe the consultation information on the Council website is seriously flawed and misleading because it fails to link two things:
1) proposal to “update the objects” wording;
2) ending proper community and civic use of the Victoria Hall and Princes Room.
The information on the website under ‘Consultations’ makes no mention of 2) above but I understand that 1) is the first step to selling a long lease, a lease of an asset paid for by local subscription. The “consultation” makes no mention of any other motive other than updating the Trust’s objects in line with Charity Commission guidance and legal advice. It fails to say whether legal advice was sought to enable the sale to go ahead; if so, it appears to be underhand. Omission of a material fact amounts to misinformation. The Princes Room is not even mentioned in the “consultation” on the website.
Ealing residents have a right to know that Ealing Council is planning to contravene charitable law, i.e. assets purchased by charitable donations remain available for community and civic use and not for profit by a third party. Even if the updated wording remains true to the objects of the charitable Trust, the spirit of the Trust must also be upheld. For this reason a second, proper consultation, with all relevant information made available, must be held before any further action is taken. Thank you.
Yours sincerely,