The Troubadour Theatre Proposal Timeline
Troubadour declares plans for Ealing's Walpole Park: what has
happened since the 2 September reveal, and what comes next.
Updated 18 October 2026.
1,200
seats in the proposed
temporary theatre
Happened
This Weekend
3 yrs
1
2
proposed lease, including
build and dismantling
Coming Up
5,250
e-petition signatures when it closed on 4 October
Date TBC
8 Dec
next scheduled full council meeting
27
Sept
4
Sept
7
Sept
9
Sept
2
Sept
Ealing Half Marathon
Save Walpole Park supporters turn out in force to cheer on local runners at the annual half marathon, to talk with traders and sponsors about how EHM can be supported to stay in the park once Central Green is fenced off.
Protest, then cabinet approval in principle
Save Walpole Park campaigners protest outside Perceval House. Ealing Council cabinet approve the Troubadour proposal in principle.
A site plan dated April 2024
EALING.NEWS reports it has seen a Troubadour site plan for Walpole Park dated 23 April 2024, more than two years before the plans were made public.
E-petition and campaign launch
Launch of the e-petition and Save Walpole Park campaign: a big drive to encourage Borough residents to support us in opposing the Troubadour scheme.
Proposal revealed
Ealing Council reveals the Troubadour proposal on its Around Ealing website: a 1,200-seat temporary theatre in Walpole Park for '3 years'.(Later changed to 3ó years in Cabinet minutes).
September 2026
Oct
17-18
4
Oct
Oct
7
13
Oct
13
Oct
16
Oct
Oct
2028
VERIFIED
4,281
E-petition verified
Ealing Council confirm that the e-petition has been verified and presented to the proper officer.
New planning delegation rules
Labour Council approves new delegation rules on planning permission, requiring both the Head of Planning member and the Planning officer to mutually agree if planning applications on council-led land need to be escalated to full planning committee. Not specific to the Troubadour bid, but could have implications down the track.
Council meeting: motions rejected
Campaigners attend the Ealing Council public meeting where opposition motions re Troubadour are debated and rejected. Proposal gets challenged by local Lib Dems, Conservatives and Greens, describing it as a 'risky', 'unsolicited' 'punt' that should have been binned on day one.
Lobbying ramps up
Campaigners ramp up their lobbying effort: emailing Councillors, requesting meetings with local MPs and writing to the GLA.
E-petition closes
The highest ever number of signatures recorded for an Ealing Council e-petition.
SIGNATURES
5,250
Cabinet minutes amended
Ealing Council cabinet approve minutes of the 9 Sept cabinet meeting, amended to remove four reasons for 'approval in principle' from the draft.
Gate survey of park footfall
Local campaigners run a gate survey to measure autumn weekend footfall in Walpole Park, in lieu of a data deficit in the public domain.
1st - 18th October
SIGNATURES
5,250
E-petition closes
The highest ever number of signatures recorded for an Ealing Council e-petition
Tree Walk at 1pm
Tree Walk with naturalist John Wells for locals to learn more about the different tree species in our beloved Walpole Park.
This Weekend
w/c 26
This Week
Section 123 Open Space Land Disposal notice expected
Land disposal of Walpole Park for a 3½ year tenancy is anticipated to be advertised, triggering a 2–3 week consultation period where we can challenge the legitimacy of the disposal. The Council must advertise its intention to dispose of open park land via a lease arrangement, and review any public objections before proceeding.
Oct
8
History talk: Charles Jones
Save Walpole Park supporters host a history talk on Charles Jones, the man who secured Walpole Park for the Public.
Nov
Nov
Dec
8
TBC
No date yet
No date yet
TBC
Planning application
Ealing Council reveals the Troubadour proposal on its Around Ealing website: a 1,200-seat temporary theatre in Walpole Park for '3 years'.(Later changed to 3ó years in Cabinet minutes).
No date yet
TBC
Public Consultation
Public consultation process to be launched by Ealing Council formally seeking the views of Borough residents about the Troubadour scheme.
Full Council Meeting
Next scheduled full Council meeting, at which, subject to Mayor approval, we hope our e-petition will be granted a public debate slot.
Jan
2027
Original month construction was planned to start
Original planned start of construction of the 'theatre'. Now delayed.
27
Jan
Earliest possible final Council Cabinet decision
First Council Cabinet meeting of 2027 at which Ealing Council cabinet could finally approve or reject the Troubadour proposal. Although this decision may be made at subsequent meetings on 17 Feb or 24 March – tbc.