CONCERNS are mounting over the future of a dilapidated park after it was revealed the restoration costs would nearly double to £39m.
Neighbours fear the huge rise in costs to restore Gunnersbury Park could only be funded if yet more land was earmarked for housing developments; an idea rejected by 2,000 petitioners last year.
The Ealing and Hounslow Councils financial consultants, Jura, revealed options to build a sports hub, restaurant and function facilities and landscaping costing in the region of £40m.
Bella Cunha, who has been campaigning to protect the park for the last 22 years, welcomed the idea of a sports centre, but said the proposed sell-off of 4.5 acres of land for housing - and possibly more to finance the shortfall - is 'preposterous'.
She said: "Gunnersbury Park is subject to a restrictive covenant which states the land is to be used for sports and recreation, not for commercial use.
"People are getting sick of these different plans and rather than spend thousands on consultants with new options, the money could have gone on essential repair works.
"The mighty are again attempting to bulldoze the little people but we will continue our fight to save Gunnersbury Park."
Ann Keen, MP for Brentford and Isleworth said: "I'm alarmed the consultants employed by Ealing and Hounslow councils have now doubled the predicted costs.
"How do they hope to raise the £39million when, just a few weeks ago, the bulk of the £20million estimate could only be raised by building 60 luxury homes on the park?
"This cost increase has potentially serious implications - are we looking at more than a hundred new luxury homes?"
The preferred options for the park's regeneration will be out for consultation in the summer and people are urged to submit their views.
Richard Gill, development and regeneration manager for Gunnersbury Park said: "The previous figure focused on the restoration of the buildings, but this figure includes the option to build a sports hub, landscaping and a contingency fund taking into consideration inflation and unforeseen circumstances.
"There is a big funding gap that needs to be filled and we need to consider enabling development to secure the future of the park and prevent further decline."
