Pleas from the opposition to send Ealing Council’s big proposals for the town centre back to cabinet were rejected at a scrutiny meeting.

Conservatives highlighted concerns about the council’s plans to turn part of the iconic town hall into a hotel, flatten Perceval House for housing and relocate Ealing Central Library at the meeting last night (November 13).

Leader of the Conservatives Gregory Stafford said: “There is not space in the borough at the moment to house the council, not least when we have other organisations coming to work with us like the CCG who are coming into Perceval House, so we are very concerned.

"Where will we hold meetings like this? None of this has been thought through. The cabinet has already agreed in principle the central library is going, without any consultation with residents or any thought about where it will go. A move to a temporary location would be about £10,000 and a new home no less than £21,000 and we will see a significant reduction in space.

"We have been told that’s because a suggested retailer wants to move in there but we have been given no indication of who that is.”

Mr Stafford asked to send these proposals back to cabinet so they can get more detail and be reassured, but this request was denied after a vote at the summing up of the meeting.

Leader of Ealing Council Julian Bell blamed the £96 million cuts from the Government as a factor behind what the council is looking to do, which he says is to save.

He also accused the opposition of agreeing to proposed plans a year ago and now changing their minds.

Mr Bell said: “I’m clear we are looking to protect, enhance and keep affordable community space in the town hall.

“There is not the detail staff are asking for because we are not at that stage yet. Yes it is a big project with risks- it’s a challenge but it’s do-able and we are happy to have cross-party engagement to make sure we don’t get it wrong.

“Yes there’s the issue of interim location for the library but we are looking at a number of different possible alternatives and I have every confidence we would be able to find alternative accommodation.

“Yes the new library will be smaller, but it will be purpose built and more modern.”

East Acton Councillor Kate Crawford asked the council leader for reassurance that wherever the library is located it will be accessible by public transport.

Mr Bell said: “Absolutely, and the plan is for the new library to be on the ground floor and on one level- which the current library isn’t.”