Southall garages could become family homes: what residents need to know

Ealing Council is moving ahead with plans to turn a council-owned plot of derelict garages on Recreation Road in Southall into family-sized housing.

The scheme is still conditional. Oddment, an architect-developer founded in 2024, has been appointed to work on proposals for the site, but planning permission has not yet been granted. Local residents are expected to be consulted before a formal planning application is submitted.

Recreation Road site details

The council says the Recreation Road land has long been identified as suitable for redevelopment. The proposal is part of its work to bring smaller, underused plots back into use for housing.

Four homes proposed before planning decision

The project is not yet an approved development. Oddment is expected to consult nearby residents, shape the design work, and then seek planning permission for the proposed homes.

Alex Somerville, Oddment’s co-founding director, said the company plans a “proactive and welcoming approach to engagement”, starting with outreach to residents through flyers and neighbour visits.

Council leader Peter Mason said working with developers such as Oddment can support local jobs while bringing overlooked land back into use for homes.

Small builders form part of Ealing’s housing push

The Recreation Road scheme is linked to the Mayor of London’s Small Sites, Small Builders programme, which is intended to give small and medium-sized developers more access to public land and smaller housing plots.

Ealing Council says smaller companies currently make up only 12% of the market, but can take on compact sites that larger developers may not prioritise. Similar small-site and public land housing schemes are being pursued elsewhere in London, including new homes on a former Bethnal Green school site.

Councillor Louise Brett, deputy leader and cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, said using sites such as Recreation Road is part of the borough’s response to the housing crisis and its need for family homes.

More Ealing small sites may follow

The council says the Southall project is supported through the Small Sites, Small Builders programme and a Greater London Authority grant.

Further small sites elsewhere in the borough are due to be put out to tender for development later this year, meaning more underused council-owned plots could be brought forward for housing if the programme continues.

Source: Ealing Council

Context & actions About this article Report Share

Source check Source trail

This article was prepared from Ealing Council’s published update and checked against the stated planning and consultation status.

Checks

• Confirmed the affected site as Recreation Road in Southall.
• Checked that the proposal is for four family-sized homes.
• Kept the planning status conditional because permission has not yet been granted.
• Identified Oddment as the appointed architect-developer named by the council.

Ealing Council Check wider coverage

Source

Ealing Council

Scope

Southall

Updated

2026-06-04 17:42

Report

Article contextPeople & topics3#7

Peter MasonLouise BrettAlex Somerville

#Ealing Council#family-sized homes#London housing#Oddment#Recreation Road#Small Sites Small Builders#Southall housing

Share +15 DP