How not to celebrate Gunnersbury Park’s centenary as a public park

In May 1926 there were great celebrations when Gunnersbury Park became a public park. Recognising the importance of public parks to the health and quality of life of people, the park was opened on 26^th May 1926 by Neville Chamberlain as the Minister of Health. In 2026 the need for public parks is even greater, especially in urban areas subject to high density residential development.

So what is the Community Interest Company (CIC) that manages the park proposing to mark this milestone?

Gunnersbury Estate (2026) CIC is seeking planning permission to hold a large number of major commercial events each summer for the next 10 years. These will enclose significant areas of the park for most of the time between May and September each year. The West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society (WCGS) considers these proposals unacceptable and has submitted comments to Hounslow Council’s planning department.

Please click here to see our comments.

Please click here to see the letter we send in 2012 about the Gunnersbury Park Regeneration.

The Society fully appreciates the need for the CIC to generate income for the park but there needs to be a much better balance between using the park as a commercial entertainment venue and its prime purpose as a public park. There needs to be a greater recognition of the negative impact of events on the quality of life and health of the local community, on park users and on key attributes of the park such as the park’s nature value as a SINC. Income generation that degrades the very asset it is intended to support is not sustainable.

We are not alone; other local groups are taking action and we have the support of CPRE London who have just published a report “Cashing in on London Parks and Countryside “

To see the Report please click here. and click on the ‘Cashing In London’s Parks and Countryside’ Box on the page.

So, watch this space!