Ealing Liberal Democrats and Ealing Green Party have issued a joint statement opposing Labour-run Ealing Council’s plans for a temporary 1,200-seat Troubadour theatre in Walpole Park.
The statement, from Ealing Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Gary Malcolm and Councillor Clare Welsby, group leader of Ealing Green Party, follows the council cabinet’s decision on 9 September 2026 to agree in principle to progress the proposal.
The statement is published in full below:
“Joint statement from Councillor Gary Malcolm and Councillor Clare Welsby
“The Liberal Democrats and Green party opposition parties agree that the Labour plans for Walpole Park will devastate the local area resulting in a huge reduction in the available space for residents to use their own park, as well as create excessive noise and disruption. A theatre that would hold up to 1,200 people for 8 shows a week for 3 years continually, and a further 6 months of considerable disruption to the park and community during the set up and the taking down of the theatre before the promised work to reinstate the park.
“The Summer Festivals which are a great success and valued by the community and visitors alike take up the park for only 1 month a year. The Council should actively review other land that they either own, control or influence.
“Biodiversity in Ealing and in Walpole Park is currently facing extreme pressures related to climate change, pollution, changes to land use, overexploitation of natural resources, and invasive species. We are living in a climate emergency and protecting biodiversity is key to protecting all of us.
“At the Cabinet meeting Cllr Driscoll stated that a detailed environmental impact assessment that would address these concerns would be carried out if this ‘experiment’ is agreed in principle, along with a full public consultation and the extensive planning application process.
“However, there are only three months to do this as Troubadour propose to start construction in January 2027. Given the amount of protest and the numbers who are likely to respond to the consultation as well as the planning process itself – is this even achievable?
“A new theatre in Ealing is welcome however the first step should have been to assess and consult on whether the theatre would be beneficial and if so, where it could be sited?
“Labour has tried to merge these two questions, and it is not helpful.
“Many people do not trust that the Council if it foisted the Troubadour on to Walpole Park would take it down after 3.5 years.
“Most people we have spoken to are against it. We also are not convinced the theatre is a good business model especially when we look at the state of the economy.
“People who live in West Ealing feel let down by the Council and we will fight to stop the Troubadour scheme being sited in Walpole Park at the next Cabinet meeting and at a Planning Committee.
“Councillor Gary Malcolm and Councillor Clare Welsby”
