Plans to replace a long-established Islamic cultural and community centre in Acton with a new nine-storey development containing an expanded centre and 40 homes have moved closer to approval.
Ealing Council has issued a draft decision backing the redevelopment of the Annoor Cultural & Community Centre at 58–70 Church Road, with formal planning permission expected once a Section 106 legal agreement and other required agreements have been completed.
Annoor has been serving the Muslim community in Acton for more than 30 years. It began in the early 1990s when a small group started using Acton Town Hall for Friday prayers, before eventually buying the former Royal British Legion premises in Church Road in 2005.
The existing centre would be demolished and replaced by the new Al-Hidayah Cultural & Community Centre, with community facilities on the lower floors and homes above.
Plans include a community hall, café and multipurpose spaces, while prayer halls on the first and second floors would have capacity for up to 600 worshippers.
The 40 flats would comprise 15 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom and three three-bedroom homes.
None of the homes would be affordable and the development would not make a payment towards affordable housing.
Ealing Council planning officers said: “The proposal does not include on-site affordable housing or a payment in lieu. This weighs against the proposal and is afforded significant weight.”
The applicant’s financial assessment was independently reviewed by the District Valuer Service (DVS).
The officer’s report said: “The assessment concluded the proposed development could not viably provide any on-site affordable housing, but would be able to provide a payment in lieu of £143,074.”
It added that a further assessment in April 2026, after Section 106 contributions and Mayoral and borough development levies were taken into account, concluded the scheme could provide neither affordable housing nor a payment towards it.
Officers added: “The Section 106 agreement should secure an appropriate early and/or late-stage viability review mechanism so that any future improvement in viability can be captured in accordance with the relevant policy framework.”
The building would also reach one storey above the eight-storey threshold identified for the location in Ealing’s emerging Local Plan. Officers concluded the additional height was acceptable in the context of its design and surrounding development.
The application saw 135 comments from the public, with 89 in support and 45 objections.
Kalim Reid, managing director of Annoor Cultural & Community Centre, said: “The publication of the draft decision represents a major milestone in the journey of our Centre.
“There are still legal and administrative steps to complete before formal planning permission is issued, but we look forward with optimism to what lies ahead and to the next chapter in our journey — the development of the new Al-Hidayah Centre.”
