CONTROVERSIAL plans to sell off part of Gunnersbury Park and build luxury homes are being considered.

The Gazette has obtained papers from a July meeting of Gunnersbury Park Regeneration Board - which includes members of Ealing and Hounslow councils - proposing a "significant acreage" in the south end of the park for "a small number of large high-spec houses - think Kensington Palace Gardens".

The papers, provided by an anonymous source, identify the likelihood of a £10m shortfall which "neither council can realistically look to cover".

It goes on: "The only alternative to doing nothing is to offer a part of the park for redevelopment."

Such a development would "offer the prospect of a large capital receipt."

The paper recommends development be as low profile as possible: "The desire of such property owners for privacy would ensure their sites could be screened off from the rest of the site."

Jon Ball, Liberal Democrat ward councillor for Ealing Common, has campaigned to save the park, which has declined in recent years, and obtained more than 1,000 petition signatures at the recent London Mela.

He said: "I completely oppose this sort of plan. The park was given to the public for their benefit by the Rothschilds in the 1920s. It wasn't given to them just so luxury houses could be built there and a proposal like this is completely unacceptable.

"Gunnersbury Park Regeneration Board has been meeting behind closed doors and this proves why. They obviously know the public wouldn't be happy if they found out about it."

Mr Ball said he would present the petition to Ealing Council at its full meeting in October.

A joint statement from Ealing and Hounslow councils said: "Alternative sources of public and private funding and sustainable uses for the park must be found, but there is no plan existing to sell off any of the park.

"A meeting of the Gunnersbury Park Regeneration Board on July 10 discussed ways forward and, in particular the development of an options appraisal.

"The appraisal will consider possible uses for the buildings and spaces and will be subject to full public consultation so that all issues are considered in the development of a masterplan for the site.

"The master plan will then be put in place to restore Gunnersbury Park as a sustainable, high quality park with varied uses, which serves the local community and the region whilst respecting its historic framework and fabric."