Warren Farm, Southall

Warren Farm is a 61-acre plot of Metropolitan Open Land located in Norwood Green (Southall) that was previously used as playing fields by local schools. The site is also host to out of use changing rooms and pavilions. After falling out of use, it is now a wildflower meadow.

Warren Farm
TypeMetropolitan Open Land
LocationSouthall, United Kingdom
Coordinates51°30′01″N 0°20′41″W[1]
Area61 acres (25 ha)

History

As the name suggests, Warren Farm was initially a farm which was acquired by the London County Council in the 1960s. Control was handed over to Ealing Council in 1990.

In October 2017, wheelie bins stored at Warren Farm caught fire leading to a response of 10 fire engines as well as “70 firefighters and officers.”[2]

QPR

Queen’s Park Rangers announced that the site was their desired site for a new first team training facility, with QPR proposing to build a two storey training centre and three storey operations building as well as other further buildings. In addition, they planned to build 11 football pitches and “3 cricket wickets” as well as over 400 car parking spaces.[3] Ealing Council granted them planning permission. Legal challenges were issued by local residents, with the final appeal being rejected by the Supreme Court.[4] However nearly 10 years after first announcing their intention, QPR stated they no longer preferred for Warren Farm to be the site of a training ground instead moving to a site in Heston.[5][6]

Campaign for Nature Reserve Status

As QPR pursued their plans, Warren Farm naturally re-wilded. Local residents opposed to development plans and the Brent River and Canal Society proposed and petitioned for the area to gain Local Nature Reserve status with their campaign gaining over 3,000 signatures in the first week.[7] The petition went on to gain over 10,000 signatures.[8]

Plans for Sports Facilities

Ealing Council announced their intention to use part of the area to build facilities for sports whilst also wanting to preserve the nature that had grown stating “We want to develop plans for this space for people both to enjoy nature and preserve its wild character and provide sports facilities for local people.”[9] A consultation was opened which was welcomed by Southall FC who had identified the site as suitable for their club.[10]

References
  1. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Warren+Farm+Nature+Reserve/@51.5001926,-0.3458287,16.99z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x3f65faa6df25c213!8m2!3d51.5003804!4d-0.3447517?hl=en-GB
  2. "Ealing's Local Web site". www.ealingtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
  3. "Warren Farm". London City Hall. 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  4. Sport, West London (2018-11-01). "Supreme Court rejects appeal against QPR training ground". West London Sport. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  5. "QPR and Ealing Council confirm Warren Farm project is dead". West London Sport. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  6. "Southall FC hopeful of return home after public consultation opens as top female players land in suburb". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
  7. Hossein-Pour, by Anahita; Updated (2021-02-22). "Thousands back bid for Ealing's stunning Warren Farm to be protected". MyLondon. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  8. Mellor, Josh (2021-07-01). "The hidden beauty spot in West London that 10,000 people are fighting to save". MyLondon. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  9. "Your chance to shape the future of Warren Farm". Around Ealing. 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  10. "Southall FC hopeful of return home after public consultation opens as top female players land in suburb". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-10-22.
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