Efforts are progressing to establish a “new town” in western London, which aims to accommodate the construction of 25,000 residences.
The proposed town, named Old Oak, is envisioned to be completed within the next three decades and will span across three boroughs: Brent, Ealing, and Hammersmith & Fulham.
The town will feature the Grand Union Canal winding through it, with convenient access to stations such as Old Oak Common and North Acton.
Reports indicate that the development of these 25,000 homes will not require the demolition of any existing residences. Instead, it will utilize vacant plots of land owned by public entities to create space for the new housing projects.
This new town initiative is pivotal in achieving the mayor’s goal of positioning London as the “global hub of life sciences,” backed by WestTech London.
Currently, much of the 70 acres designated for this project consists of industrial land, representing what is seen as “London’s most significant brownfield opportunity.”
According to a new framework from Ealing Council, at least half of the 25,000 homes should be classified as “affordable,” with 1,000 designated for council housing available for social rent. The council emphasizes that this approach will aid in “mitigating and addressing the affordable housing crisis in the borough.”
As of September 2024, Ealing Council had over 8,000 households awaiting social rental accommodations. In 2023, more than 4,500 households sought assistance from the council due to homelessness or imminent risk of homelessness, which the council noted was the highest rate recorded in the region.
The framework also expresses aspirations to develop a minimum of four hectares of new public green spaces.
Additionally, it is anticipated that land currently utilized for the construction of the HS2 Old Oak Common station will be repurposed to create housing and open areas.
David Lunts, the chief executive of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation overseeing the project’s execution, remarked: “Residents of Ealing will be right next to the wonderful amenities and opportunities that Old Oak promises in the future.
“We align with Ealing Council’s goals to establish an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable environment for both current and future generations, and we will collaborate closely with Ealing and other boroughs throughout the development of Old Oak.”
