Like the rest of London, our borough is always changing and renewing. New homes, new jobs, and new investment are all helping its 7 towns grow.
This week, we put the spotlight on how Ealing Council is working to ensure that, when this growth happens, it helps to raise standards for everyone.
Councillor Shital Manro, the council’s cabinet member for good growth and new homes, said: “Good growth is about making sure every resident feels the benefits, and we have reinvested the proceeds from development back into our communities. This includes better public spaces, new jobs, more affordable homes, and improvements to essential local services.”
Taxing developers for everyone’s benefit
When new buildings are proposed, developers must contribute to the area around them. There are 2 main ways this works.
‘Section 106’ (S106) agreements are legally binding planning obligations that mean developers have to contribute to the cost of building new local facilities like schools, GP surgeries, and other community facilities, or help provide affordable homes.
Since 2022, S106 agreements have raised around £47million for the borough. This money is already helping to improve the places where people live and work.
The council is also preparing to introduce the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is a simple charge that developers will pay on most new buildings. It will help fund new or improved schools, local health facilities, community spaces, and transport.
CIL is due to be introduced in March, following an independent examination. It is expected to raise several million pounds a year.
A platinum planning team
In 2024 Ealing Council was ranked within the top 12 planning authorities in the country and provided a ‘platinum’ decision-making service, according to a top industry publication.
Planning magazine used national data to grade all 337 English authorities on their decision-making performance, highlighting the councils with the best track records for delivering prompt, sound verdicts.
The council’s platinum rating means it performed on average between 33-35% above the national quality threshold, meaning it was rated as the top London borough and among the top performers in the country.
Residents shaping their towns
A new community‑led ‘Regeneration Charter’ sets out a clear, borough‑wide commitment to putting local people at the heart of regeneration projects. By allowing them to meaningfully shape these projects in their neighbourhoods, the charter means that new development should better reflect local identity, needs, and aspirations.
The charter sets high standards for the council and developers to create the right kind of growth – better homes, stronger communities, improved health and wellbeing, and more opportunities – while making sure seldom‑heard groups are involved and able to give their views. The ultimate aim is that regeneration will become consistent, transparent and genuinely shaped by the people it affects.
Raising the quality of new development
To help make sure new buildings are of a high standard, the council uses 2 independent panels.
The Community Review Panel is made up of residents who discuss large proposals at an early stage. The Design Review Panel is a group of architects, planners, and other specialists who look at the design quality of large or sensitive schemes.
These panels support the council in achieving high-quality design which reflects the priorities of local people. This means the council listens to local people and expert advice before decisions are made.
Enhancing local heritage
The council has recently concluded a review of conservation areas across the borough. This work helps protect what makes each town special and guides future planning decisions so that new development respects local character.
