The councils responsible for managing the regeneration of Gunnersbury Park have been told to “come clean” about the spiralling costs of the scheme.

It emerged last week that the cost of restoring the detiorating park, which is jointly managed by Hounslow and Ealing councils, had almost doubled to £39m.

It had previously been reported that the plans would cost £20m.

Ann Keen, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, called this week for the councils which manage the park to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the proposals in light of the huge price increase.

She said: “I am alarmed the consultants employed by the two councils have now doubled the predicted costs for regenerating the park.

“I hope we can have a public breakdown of these costs soon.

“I would also like to know how they hope to raise the £39m when, just a few weeks ago, the bulk of the £20m estimate could only be raised by building 60 luxury homes on the park.

“While I support the need for the park’s regeneration, this cost increase has potentially serious implications.

“Are we looking at more than a hundred new luxury homes?

“At a time when money is tight everywhere, I sincerely hope residents and users of the park have a real and meaningful input into its future during the consultation and these increased estimates are fully explained.”

At last month’s meeting of the Gunnersbury Park Regeneration Board, the councils’ financial consultants, Jura Consultants, revealed the only feasible way to raise the majority of the money needed to restore the park would be to sell off four-and-a-half acres of land for development.

A public consultation has been planned for the summer to gather residents’ views on the proposals.

A spokeswoman from Hounslow Council said: “There are currently a wide range of potential costs involved for the regeneration of Gunnersbury Park, depending on the different options available.

“While all options are still being considered, no decision has yet been made.

“All of Gunnersbury Park’s regeneration costing and proposals are produced by Jura Consultants, who were appointed to consider what options are available to the park and recommend a course of action to lead us to this vision.”

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