Council Confirms Both Shipping Container Estates to Go
Meath Court to be decommissioned as well as Marston Court
The stacked containers at Meath Cout are used for housing by Ealing Council. Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon
November 21, 2023
Two housing estates in the borough of Ealing made up of shipping containers that have been described by residents as “hellish” are going to be shut down and the council has begun the process of moving people out. After months of campaigning and news coverage by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ealing Council has confirmed that both shipping container estates, Meath Court and Marston Court, are being decommissioned.
Residents from each neighbourhood have informed the LDRS they have received official letters with the news, which has been corroborated by the council itself. The fight for the sites’ closure was ignited in July when the LDRS reported on the conditions of Marston Court in Hanwell.
People living in the ‘inhumane’ housing complained of a major lack of security which saw drug dealers using it as a drop-off spot as well as the near ‘unliveable’ conditions in their converted shipping container homes. The description of conditions sparked outrage for some in the community, with one resident from the estate even staging a sit-in at the council offices to protest her situation.
In September, the LDRS visited Meath Court in Acton where conditions were even more dire with people living there dubbing it ‘No Hope Gardens’. Residents spoke of fortnightly police raids, constant theft, public defecation, unsafe conditions and the discovery of bullets which was shown to an ITV London crew who put together a follow-up package. The 60-unit estate is a mix of drug dealers and multi-children families all crammed in together.
Later in September, Ealing Council declared the closure of Marston Court as part of its four-year plan for the borough, with a pledge to decommission the estate by late 2023 or early 2024. The plan to decommission the estate comes with a pledge “to end the need for families who face eviction to stay in bed and breakfast temporary accommodation and invest £20 million in 100 new safe and secure places for people to stay,” which is planned for over four years.
It has now been confirmed that Meath Court will also be decommissioned, with the council saying it has already begun decanting some people to other housing. In a letter sent to Meath Court residents, the council writes, “We want to relocate all households eligible for assistance before the end of 2023. However, in some cases, this may extend into early 2024.”
A door at Meath Court after a police raid, Meath Court. Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon
It continues, “We understand that this news may be unsettling, and we will work closely with you during this process, and support you where needed.” In the letter sent to LDRS, the resident was given a Notice to Quit by 18 December. Residents have been informed that they will only be made one suitable offer of alternative temporary accommodation and it’s been claimed that if they refuse, they will have to make their own arrangements.
Leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Ealing Council, Cllr Gary Malcolm said, "We called for a special meeting on this which seems to have prompted the welcome news for residents from the Council who were slow on this.
"We want to ensure that residents, many feel very ignored, can be heard in the debate but sadly that is not being allowed.
"We hope the details of where the families will be moved to will ensure they are safe and secure. "
Rory Bennett - Local Democracy Reporter
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