Local architects and nature lovers Ania and Peter Lill have come up with design concepts for the future look of Warren Farm which includes an eco-friendly building located between the nature reserve and future sports pitches.
The designs come following a March 2024 Ealing Council cabinet meeting in which the council decided on a new nature reserve and sports pitches. At the time, council leader Councillor Peter Mason said that he envisages “a small pavilion with a nature classroom” including a cafe shared between Warren Farm Nature Reserve and the sports facilities on the Imperial College land.
The architects say this would serve as both a rewilding hub and either a pavilion or changing rooms for sports.
The Warren Farm Nature Reserve group say they are working on how the nature reserve and sports proposal with the council is envisaged along with Natural England and other stakeholders.
As well as making the area safe, the design aim to re-purpose some of the derelict buildings as a brownfield nature reserve area.
Among rare species that have been discovered in the buildings is the Thanatus striatus spider.
In a statement, Warren Farm Nature Reserve said that the designs show how “it could become Ealing’s local educational rewilding hub and London’s expert-led rewilding centre of excellence” and the building would be used by a diverse range of communities of all ages and backgrounds.
Warren Farm Nature Reserve campaign organiser Katie Boyles said: “Warren Farm Nature Reserve has proven itself to be an exceptional green space at a time of unprecedented biodiversity loss. It was almost destroyed, in part, due to a lack of awareness and education gap.
“Should a small build be required at all, having a shared educational community rewilding hub with changing rooms for example, and rewilded brownfield buffer zone between Warren Farm Nature Reserve and any proposed sports pitches on the neighbouring land, makes perfect ecological sense from both sides of the fence.”
Ms Boyles added: “Bats and Barn Owls don’t mix with floodlights, and sports players won’t want to be inadvertently harming wildlife. We are excited to be in the process of obtaining vital Local Nature Reserve designation together here with Ealing Council and we hope what’s happening at Warren Farm Nature Reserve inspires other councils to follow this lead.”
Architect Ania Lill commented: “Every plant and animal has just as much right to share their habitat with us as we do with them. The Warren Farm Nature Reserve Rewinding Hub project presented us with an opportunity to design a building that balances the needs of the community with the unique natural surroundings – a place that’s beneficial to all. We are so grateful to all the campaigners, supporters and Ealing Council members for this outcome, especially at a time when the natural environment needs all the help it can get, and young people can feel genuine hope for their future.”
