The proposed Old Oak development, spanning across three London boroughs including Ealing, is a significant regeneration project overseen by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).
Ealing Council is actively collaborating with OPDC to ensure the development benefits both new and existing residents and businesses. The council has published a ‘legacy framework’ outlining its priorities, which include creating new parks, jobs, and affordable homes. Council leader Peter Mason emphasised Ealing’s role, stating, “While OPDC is the local planning authority and regeneration agency for the area, Ealing Council remains the custodian of the communities, residents, and businesses within it.”
The framework aims to create 56,000 new jobs over the next 30 years, focusing on high-growth sectors to provide well-paid opportunities for local people. A key component of this vision is WestTech London, which will serve as a hub for life sciences, business, and technological innovation. Mason highlighted its significance, saying, “WestTech London will be a game changer for Ealing in securing good growth in a high-tech, emerging economy.”
Old Oak’s strategic location, with road and rail connections including the new HS2 hub and proximity to Heathrow, positions it as one of the UK’s best-connected areas, attracting further investment and supporting economic growth. The council’s vision includes creating new workspace and industrial floorspace, as well as encouraging employers to pay the London Living Wage.
The development plans to build approximately 25,000 new homes, with half designated as affordable and 1,000 as council homes, addressing the affordable housing crisis and contributing to the council’s goal of delivering 28,000 new homes over a 15-year period. The framework also calls for diverse housing options, including homes for older residents, care leavers, families, and individuals requiring specialist accommodation, as well as temporary housing for homeless families.
Additionally, the framework proposes at least four hectares of new open space, enhancing connectivity between existing green spaces, such as the proposed regional park, Wormwood Scrubs, the Grand Union Canal, and the Brent Valley. This comprehensive approach aims to create a vibrant, inclusive community at Old Oak, ensuring long-term opportunities for all residents and businesses.
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