Labour-run Ealing Council is facing questions over the transparency of its decision to settle a long-running legal dispute over West Middlesex Golf Club after the borough’s Liberal Democrat opposition raised concerns about how much information had been made public.
At a cabinet meeting on 9 July 2026, councillors approved a legal settlement under which around 130 acres of the golf course would return to council control. The agreement also includes a short-term lease allowing West Middlesex Golf Club to continue operating until September 2027 and grants Greenford Road Limited an option to acquire a 2.27-acre parcel containing the clubhouse and car park.
The council said the proposed settlement would see most of the site ultimately return to council control, while the long-term future of the golf course has yet to be decided.
The Liberal Democrats say the lack of publicly available information has left residents unable to fully understand how the agreement was reached or what it could mean for the future of the site.
Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Gary Malcolm said greater openness was needed over the agreement. The party has also questioned why the council did not intervene sooner after West Middlesex Golf Club went into administration in 2019, before Greenford Road Limited purchased the club’s debt and secured voting control in 2022.
Councillor Connie Hersch, deputy leader of the Ealing Liberal Democrats, added: “Why did Ealing Council not intervene sooner? Rather Ealing Council seems to have left the situation in limbo for some years at which point Greenford Road Limited stepped in.
“Ealing Liberal Democrats believe that residents and all voters in the borough deserve some openness and transparency on why it has taken so long before any intervention is being proposed and what the future of the site holds.”
The cabinet decision followed a campaign by golfers and local residents, whose petition calling on Ealing Council to protect West Middlesex Golf Club and keep the site in sporting and recreational use has attracted more than 3,800 signatures.
Responding to the criticism, an Ealing Council spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “At the Cabinet meeting on 9 July members approved a proposed settlement with West Middlesex Golf Club (as set out in this report) to resolve a legal dispute by agreeing to the surrender of the existing lease of 130 acres and putting in place a short-term lease until September 2027.
“Cabinet also took the decision to grant Greenford Road Limited an option to acquire a 2.27-acre parcel of land. The proposed settlement provides a more certain and cost-effective resolution than continuing litigation.
“The council’s interest is as the freeholder of the land the club is currently occupying. It is not responsible for the management or operation of the club.
“Questions about the future of the management and operation of the club should be directed to the club.
“The council is unable to provide further commentary whilst litigation is being concluded.
“The cabinet decision does not determine the long-term future of the golf course. Once the land returns to the council’s control, further decisions will be made in accordance with the council’s usual decision-making processes. No decisions about the future of the site have been taken yet.”
