Warren Farm, Southall

Warren Farm
Type	Metropolitan Open Land
Location	Southall, United Kingdom
Coordinates	<ref>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</ref>
Area	61 acres (25 ha)

Warren Farm is a 61-acre (25 hectare) plot of Metropolitan Open Land located in Norwood Green (Southall) that was previously used as playing fields by local schools. The site also has disused changing rooms and pavilions. After falling out of use as playing fields, it is now a wildflower meadow.

History

As the name suggests, Warren Farm was initially a farm. It was part of the Osterley Park estate and was acquired by the London County Council from the Countess of Jersey in April 1925.<ref>Land registry Title No MX362220.</ref> It was run as a farm until the 1960s, when it was converted for use as a sports ground. 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."<ref>"Ealing's Local Web site". www.ealingtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-05-16.</ref>

Wildlife

The site has many plant and animal species; most notably skylarks. Bats, barn owls and 15 locally important plant species are also present on the site.<ref name=":0">Burrell, Miriam (2023-03-23). "Outcry at Ealing Council plans to build on London skylark breeding ground". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2023-05-01.</ref>

Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers F.C. (QPR) announced that Warren Farm was their desired site for a new first team training facility. They proposed to build a two-storey training centre and a three-storey operations building, as well as other buildings. In addition, they planned to build 11 football pitches and "3 cricket wickets" as well as over 400 car parking spaces.<ref>"Warren Farm". London City Hall. 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2022-04-27.</ref> Ealing Council granted them planning permission. Legal challenges were issued by local residents, but the final appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court.<ref>Sport, West London (2018-11-01). "Supreme Court rejects appeal against QPR training ground". West London Sport. Retrieved 2022-04-27.</ref> However nearly 10 years after first announcing their intention, QPR stated they no longer preferred Warren Farm for their training ground, instead moving to a site in Heston.<ref>"QPR and Ealing Council confirm Warren Farm project is dead". West London Sport. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2022-04-27.</ref><ref name="skysports.com">"Southall FC hopeful of return home after public consultation opens as top female players land in suburb". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2022-10-22.</ref>

Campaign for Nature Reserve status

While QPR pursued their plans, Warren Farm was re-wilding naturally. The Brent River and Canal Society, together with local residents opposed to development plans, proposed and petitioned for the area to gain Local nature reserve status; their campaign gained over 3,000 signatures in the first week.<ref>Hossein-Pour, Anahita (2021-02-22). "Thousands back bid for Ealing's stunning Warren Farm to be protected". MyLondon. Retrieved 2022-04-27.</ref> The petition stood at 20,000 signatures by March 2023.<ref>https://www.warrenfarmnaturereserve.co.uk/blog/our-petition-hits-20000-as-we-urge-ealing-council-to-carry-out-vital-habitat-surveys-before-seeking-a-development-partner</ref>

A consultation was opened in 2022 which was welcomed by Southall F.C., who had identified the site as suitable for their club.<ref name="skysports.com"/>

The publication of the consultation results led to varying claims: proponents of nature reserve status suggested that majority view was in favour, whilst the council stated that the respondents to the survey were not representative of the local area.<ref name=":0" />

In January 2023 Ealing Council announced their intention to develop just over half of Warren Farm as a sports facility whilst also saying they would continue to provide land for the wildlife.<ref>Ealing Council. "The Future of Warren Farm Sports Ground" (PDF).</ref> They said, “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.”<ref>"Your chance to shape the future of Warren Farm". Around Ealing. 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2022-04-27.</ref>

At a meeting on 21 February 2023 the council approved the plans for sport facilities on the site. This attracted a protest in front of Ealing Town Hall with reports of numbers of protesters varying from 250 to 2000 (with local news sources indicating that the likely figure was nearer to the lower end).<ref>Smith, Matt (2023-02-22). "Protest outside Ealing Council over 'de-wilding' plans – Chiswick Calendar News". The Chiswick Calendar. Retrieved 2023-05-01.</ref><ref>reporter, EALING NEWS (2023-02-22). "Community anger over Ealing Council scrutiny committee backing cabinet approval to develop on Warren Farm". EALING.NEWS – The Voice of Ealing 7 towns – Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale, Southall. Retrieved 2023-05-01.</ref>

Before the council meeting, in a video produced by the Ealing Wildlife Group, a number of prominent wildlife experts and presenters expressed their opposition to Ealing Council's plans and support for the Local Nature Reserve campaign.<ref>Wildlife Presenters urge Ealing Council to save Warren Farm Nature Reserve from development, retrieved 2023-07-15</ref>

in June 2023 a Freedom of Information request by Ealing Council's opposition leader Gary Malcolm revealed that a report in 2018 for Ealing Council recommended that Warren Farm be designated a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). The report by ecology consultants was based on a survey carried out in 2017 but was not published.<ref>Bunder, Leslie (2023-06-06). "Campaigners question why Ealing Council and its leadership have withheld important information about Warren Farm". EALING.NEWS – The Voice of Ealing 7 towns – Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale, Southall. Retrieved 2023-07-15.</ref><ref>Ealing Council (Partially Redacted). "Ealing SINC Review". acrobat.adobe.com. Retrieved 2023-07-15.</ref>