Councils Team Up for Expanded Regional Park Plan

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500 hectares of land down to the Thames earmarked for transformation

Salman Shaheen, Peter Mason and Mete Coban holding the signed agreement to deliver the regional park outside. with other leaders. Picture: Megan Taylor

March 3, 2026

A new partnership of public bodies and environmental organisations has unveiled plans for a major regional park spanning the boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow. The collaboration brings together both councils, the Mayor of London, the National Trust, the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust, supported by almost £2.5 million in early investment to transform more than 500 hectares of land and waterways into a connected landscape for nature.

Ealing Council has been developing the idea of a regional park for several years, building on its commitment to link the borough’s green spaces into a single, coherent landscape. The concept draws on the strength of the borough’s existing assets, including the Brent River Park, the meadows and woodlands around Perivale and Greenford, and the panoramic views from Horsenden Hill, the highest point in the borough. Early feasibility work explored how these spaces could be better connected, how habitats could be restored at scale, and how residents could gain easier access to nature on their doorstep.

A map of the proposed expanded regional park. Picture: Will Norman/X

The new partnership elevates that work into a cross-borough project. By joining forces with Hounslow and major environmental bodies, the vision now stretches from Greenford’s hilltops through the canal and river corridors, across Osterley Park and into Brentford, where the River Brent meets the Thames. It marks a shift from a borough-led idea to a regional landscape project designed to serve two million Londoners.

The Grand Union Canal, the River Brent and the network of locks and basins around Hanwell and Brentford form a continuous blue corridor linking the two boroughs. These waterways have shaped West London for more than two centuries, first as industrial transport routes and now as vital ecological and recreational spaces.

Towpaths already provide long stretches of walking and cycling routes, while pockets of wetland and woodland along the banks support birds, amphibians and pollinators. The Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency see the regional park as a rare opportunity to restore natural river functions, improve water quality, strengthen flood resilience and create new habitats along the canal and riverbanks. The River Brent, in particular, is viewed as a major asset whose restoration could bring significant environmental benefits.

The partnership aims to create a landscape that brings nature closer to residents while opening up new opportunities for sport, culture, heritage and wellbeing. Early proposals include an extended 13-kilometre walking and cycling trail linking Horsenden Hill, the Grand Union Canal, Osterley Park and the Thames. Other ideas include new sports and wellbeing spaces, improved access and signage, enhanced wildlife habitats and outdoor venues for cultural events.

Funding from the Mayor of London, totalling almost £1.5 million, will help kick-start delivery. This sits alongside a £999,595 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant awarded to Ealing Council last summer through the Nature Towns and Cities programme, which is already supporting work to explore how the park can improve residents’ health and wellbeing.

Ealing's plans for a regional park are already well advanced. Picture: Ealing Council

The six organisations formally signed their commitment at Osterley House on Monday 2 March. Their first phase of work will involve mapping existing assets, identifying opportunities for habitat creation and nature recovery, and working closely with residents, businesses and community groups to shape priorities for the years ahead.

Council leaders and partner organisations emphasised the scale of the opportunity. Ealing Council leader Peter Mason described the project as having grown “far larger than any one borough”, while Hounslow’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and public spaces, Salman Shaheen, highlighted the chance to connect one of London’s greenest boroughs to a wider network of spaces and waterways. The Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban, said the project would help ensure every Londoner can benefit from green and blue spaces. Senior figures from the National Trust, the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency each stressed the importance of restoring habitats, improving access to nature and supporting species recovery.

Brent River Park Charity Chair Katie Boyles, who spoke at the Osterley House event, said, "Our Brent River and Canal Society was formed over 50 years ago by Luke FitzHerbert, who successfully campaigned for the creation of the Brent River Park - a 7km string of green spaces that follow the River Brent, bringing walking routes, connecting communities and creating healthy wildlife corridors. It was designed as a Regional Park and has been enjoyed by generations since its opening in 1975.

"Yet it's important to remember that the complete extent of Luke's Brent River Park ambition was never fully realised. It was always part of our founder’s vision to extend the park into neighbouring boroughs and to link it with other green spaces such as Osterley Park and Horsenden Hill. The Regional Park presents an opportunity to realise some of that vision - making the Brent River Park bigger, connecting and creating new open green spaces, with accessible walking routes, bringing people and nature together all the way down to the Thames! It also gives us a renewed impetus to 'Clean Up the River Brent' that will lie at the heart of the park. Being mindful of the responsibility and care this project must carry, we welcome the opportunity to continue Luke's legacy and leave an enhanced rewilded and healthy park for future generations."

Work now begins on a shared long-term plan, with early improvements expected as opportunities are identified. Residents, community groups and local businesses are being invited to help shape the future of the West London Regional Park by visiting www.westlondonregionalpark.com.

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