Ealing (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ealing environmental groups are opposing a 17.5-metre telecoms mast on Brentham Meadows, warning it endangers one of London’s most protected green spaces.
Residents are being urged to protest the application by MBNL, a joint venture between EE and Three, by the consultation deadline of October 14 by the Brent River Park charity, Ealing Wildlife Group, Ealing Parks Foundation, and Brentham Allotment Gardens Society.
The planned location is located in a 9.5-acre meadow at the northern end of Brent River Park, which has been given the same level of protection as Green Belt property since it is both a location of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and Metropolitan Open property (MOL).
The development will need the clearance of surrounding vegetation and the felling of an old oak tree that is thought to have several hundred years left in its life.
Katie Boyles, of the Brent River Park charity, said:
“It’s bonkers to consider putting such an industrial structure in one of our valued community green spaces. This ill-advised proposal undermines the openness of our protected landscape and directly contradicts planning policies designed to safeguard precious habitats.”
Sean McCormack, chair of Ealing Wildlife Group, said:
“This is a crass example of blatant disregard for nature. We have a global climate and biodiversity crisis. If the mast was previously on a building, put it on another building. I’m urging the council to take the sensible decision and reject this proposal outright.”
Protesters claim that the plan violates the biodiversity net gain criterion of the Environment Act 2021, endangers a meadow ecosystem that has been lost in the UK since World War II in 98% of cases, and could interfere with bat feeding pathways and bird nesting grounds. Additionally, they criticize the lack of proof that alternate brownfield sites were adequately taken into consideration and warn of increased flood danger on the Brent River Park’s functional floodplain.
Jane Fernley, chair of the Ealing Parks Foundation, said:
“Brentham Meadows is a much-loved green space, vital for local wildlife and community wellbeing. It is totally unsuitable for a 17.7-metre mast and associated infrastructure.”
Robin John of Brentham Allotment Gardens Society (BAGS) added:
“When we at BAGS objected at the consultation stage, the proposers replied there was nowhere else it could go. Yet it replaces the telecom mast on the old Westworld building just north of A40, which is a brown field site and a more appropriate location.”
Approval, according to opponents, would create a “dangerous precedent” for construction on London’s protected open land.
The deadline for residents to file objections via the planning system of Ealing Council is October 14, 2025.
Has the council published the full planning application documents?
Certainly, local councils are obligated to make available the complete planning application documents for public access. These usually consist of detailed plans, drawings, supporting statements, ownership certificates, and environmental impact assessments associated with the proposed development.
Residents can locate these documents through the council’s planning portal or on the council’s website; they typically are able to check the application’s status, read decision notices, and submit comments or objections.
Regarding the telecom tower on Brentham Meadows, residents will need to check the planning portal of the London Borough of Ealing or contact the planning department of the council directly to view the full application documents.
