Builders cautioned after dust cloud escapes from demolition works in West Ealing

Builders have been cautioned by Ealing Council after West Ealing residents reported dust clouds emanating from demolition sites at 105-113 Broadway and 99-103 Broadway.

The clouds were reported to the council on 17th August but other residents said they had seen dust clouds on 15th August. There was plenty of dust emanating from the site on 24th August.

Boulevard Construction has been contracted to demolish the existing buildings and clear the site for developers Luxgrove Capital which plans to build two buildings to contain 129 and 86 homes of multiple occupancy rooms.

We have previously reported that Boulevard has links to Henry Construction whoich ceased building apartments at Dean Gardens, less than 80 metres from the demolition site when the company collapsed in 2023. Ealing Council is seeking tenders to demolish the Dean Gardens buildings.

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Clare Welsby, leader of the Green Party in Ealing and a councillor for Hanwell Broadway, which includes the demolition site, said she was contacted by residents on 17th August who were concerned that the dust clouds could contain asbestos and other pollutants.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “On 17 August the council received a report of dust in the air in the locality of West Ealing Broadway.

“Officers from the council attended the site, talked with the developer, which included advice and for works causing considerable dust to stop. The council additionally served a notice to prohibit a recurrence of further dust nuisance. There have been no further concerns reported since.”

Boulevard Construction has been approached for comment.

Builders told council officers that their sprinklers were not working. On 24th August, it was possible to see a small arc of water coming from a hose several metres away from the dust clouds rising from the demolition works.

Member of the public who witness incidents of pollution should contact the council’s pollution control team on 020 8825 8111 or email pollutioncontrol@ealing.gov.uk

Henry Construction was also building a further 52 homes in Evesham Close, Greenford, Norwood Road, Southall, Shackleton Road, Southall and Wood End, Northolt. These homes are unfinished and it is not clear if they will also be demolished. Henry was also building at a site at 57 Greenford Road, which is also unfinished.

Last week an Ealing Council report cited the collapse of Henry Construction as a major factor in the insolvency of its private housing companies, Broadway Living and Broadway Living Registered Provider.

Administrators of Henry Construction have brought claims seeking approximately £31 million against former directors, members of the Henry family and the Keash group of companies. The defendants dispute the claims and no findings have yet been made by the court.