A Vision for the Future of Old Oak Village


Nestled in the north of Hammersmith and Fulham, the Old Oak Estate has long been a proud, close-knit neighbourhood. But like many inner London areas, it has also faced neglect and a lack of resources for far too long. College Park and Old Oak is the largest ward in the borough; and is also the most isolated - bordered by the busy highways of the A40, Wood Lane and the Hs2 development; which will result in a potentially 5 year long closure of Old Oak Common Lane and cut our neighbourhood off from the north. We have a large ethnic minority, over half of residents live in socially rented homes and the ward is ranked amongst the most deprived in LBHF. A high proportion of residents work in low paid jobs and 1 in 6 residents report having a long term health problem or disability. There are statistically higher levels of family households with children and a higher proportion of households facing overcrowding and fuel poverty. We are ranked within the 20% most deprived nationally in terms of living environment, barriers to housing and services and health. Now, with the arrival of the UK's largest rail infrastructure project on our doorstep, which is estimated to cost the tax payer over £80bn; there will inevitably be an increased visibility to the area and we hope; a once in generation opportunity to reimagine what our community can become.


This isn’t about the new buildings or shiny developments which Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation are selling (see link). It’s about creating a thriving, safe, village-style community where everyone has the chance to grow, belong, and feel proud to call Old Oak home.  This vision seeks to reclaim Old Oak’s identity and ensure its residents benefit from the coming wave of regeneration, rather than be displaced or overlooked.


Our Vision: A Thriving Village Community


1. Reconnect and Reclaim: A Stronger Local Identity
  • Village Centre Creation:  Establish a village centre with a mix of cafes, independent shops, a post office, and shared space for arts, community events and people to gather — creating a true heart for the neighbourhood.
  • Community Branding: Promote Old Oak as a model inner London "garden village" with signage, branding, and pride in place. A fresh identity for Old Oak that reflects the creativity and strength of its people.
  • Local Heritage Revival: Celebrate Old Oak’s historic character with a community history trail, public art projects, and restoration of period architecture.



2. Green and Welcoming Public Realm

Our ward contains the scrubs - the largest green space in Hammersmith & Fulham; when the neighbourhood was created in the 1930s it was intended to be a 'cottage garden' style estate with nature and green spaces as its defining characteristic; but decades of neglect have left us plagued with issues such as general dilapidation & fly tipping.

  • Rewilding & Greening: Turn underused land and grey corners into wildflower gardens, pocket parks, and tree-lined paths.
  • Sustainable mobility & access: Introduce secure cycling infrastructure, and much needed step-free access at East Acton Station!
  • Old Oak Greenway: Develop a safe, green pedestrian route that connects the estate to nearby schools, stations, and parks.
  • A cleaner, calmer street environment with low-traffic zones and better lighting; particularly around East Acton station.
  • More local police funding to develop long term solutions to combat antisocial behaviour & proper enforcement for fly tipping.


3. Homes That Put People First

Everyone deserves a safe, warm and affordable place to live:

Housing Refurbishment: Retrofit existing council homes with energy-efficient heating, insulation, and renewable technologies.

  • Ensuring housing associations and and landlords are held accountable to meet their responsibilities for maintenance and swift repairs.
  • The possibility of new community-led housing models where locals shape what gets built.


4. Local Jobs and Opportunities

A stronger community means a stronger local economy:

  • Workspaces for All: Repurpose disused buildings into affordable studios, tech hubs, or training spaces for local makers, freelancers, artists and trades.
  • Market Culture: Weekly markets featuring local food, crafts, and performances to activate public space and support local incomes. Proposal to repurpose the unused parade ground on wormwood scrubs as a weekly farmers market.
  • Support Local Enterprise: Micro-grants and mentoring for small business startups and social enterprises run by residents.


5. A Place to Learn, Grow and Thrive

We want Old Oak to be a hub of wellbeing and learning for all ages:

  • A dedicated youth futures programme to provide a round the clock home from home; with provision for after-school, sports and holiday clubs to develop creativity, inspire and support the young people in our neighbourhood.
  • Investment in the scrubs playground to create an improved, safe and inspiring outdoor space for young families to connect and build relationships.
  • Improved access to the community centre for clubs and groups and increased local authority funding for programmes which benefit the community.
  • Partnerships with colleges and employers to bring training and skills close to home.
  • Health & Wellbeing Pavilion: A multipurpose community centre offering mental health support, family services, GP access, and fitness activities.


6. Power to the People

Real regeneration must be shaped by those who live here:

  • A resident-led forum with formal powers in planning and budgeting.
  • Participatory Budgeting: Let residents decide how a portion of regeneration funds are spent.
  • Local Trust or Foundation: Create a long-term fund owned by and for the community to support social, cultural, and economic development.



Why Now?

With HS2 bringing unprecedented investment and visibility to the area, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure Old Oak Estate is not just a neighbour to progress, but a leader in inclusive, community-first regeneration. The opening of the multi-billion Old Oak station HS2 terminus brings a chance to transform our community. But we must act now to make sure Old Oak’s future is by us, for us. This is our time to create a place that works for everyone. A greener, kinder, more connected Old Oak Estate.


Join us. Be part of the story. Help shape the future of Old Oak.

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