Approval for Gurnell Leisure Centre redevelopment

Ealing Council’s planning committee has approved plans to transform the old Gurnell site in Ealing, West London, into one of the UK’s best public leisure centres.

The green light for the new leisure centre was given on 15 January and marks a crucial step forward in the Gurnell masterplan delivery, revitalising a significant community hub that is positioned between five of the borough’s seven towns – Ealing, Northolt, Perivale, Hanwell and Greenford.

The new leisure complex will provide health and fitness facilities and plans for the site include a 50-metre swimming pool, making it one of only three open 50m indoor pools in London, along with a climbing wall and state-of-the-art gym.

The new site will offer an enhanced wet area, including a waterpark, slides, and lazy river, as well as exercise studios, a soft play area and café. Around the centre plans include a new skate park, cycle pump track, outdoorgym and children’s playground.

Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Peter Mason, said: “The Gurnell Leisure Centre was not just a hub for health and fitness – it was the face of leisure for multiple generations of the community. Thousands of children across the borough learnt to swimthere, while for others it provided an opportunity to exercise, unwind, and socialise with friends and family.

“With the new plans being approved, we’re pleased that we’ve taken a major step forward in providing a new venue that can continue the Gurnell Leisure Centre’s legacy on an even larger scale.