Ickenham Scout group gets new home
Thursday 19 June 2025: Hillingdon Council gave 2nd Ickenham Scout Group the keys to their new clubhouse this week after HS2 funding was used to build them a new base.
The council used part of its £1.1 million HS2 amenity funding to design and rebuild the facility after the group's previous hut, in Community Close, had deteriorated beyond repair with a replacement urgently needed.
The new building has a larger footprint, and the interior has been designed to optimise space and includes a big hall for the group's activities, a kitchen, storage room and toilets at the rear of the hall.
The new hut is fully accessible, with level doorways at both the front and side, and has been constructed with a traditional brick and tile build to ensure longevity.
The high ceiling has exposed beams and the windows have been installed at staggered heights and fitted with wooden sliding shutters to let light in at different levels.
The exterior has also been carefully designed to blend in with the local conservation area, with use of grey frames and bricks.
The formal handover event was attended by Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Hillingdon Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property; Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth; and Cllr Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, along with Scout leaders from the 2nd Ickenham group.
Cllr Lavery said: "This borough has a well-established history of supporting Scout and Guide groups and we're proud to hand over the keys to this fantastic new hut.
"The local community has had to endure significant inconvenience as part of the HS2 construction works, so I'm pleased to a see a positive outcome for them here. The new building will provide the 2nd Ickenham group and the wider local community with a superb space which I am sure will be well used for many years to come."
Gavin Roberts, Group Leadership Team Member with the 2nd Ickenham Scouts, said: "We are very happy to be able to take possession of this new building following the council-led rebuild.
"Our old building was more than 70 years old and was not suitable for our activities anymore, requiring substantial maintenance. The new building will allow us to concentrate on providing youth led Scout programmes in a purpose-built space for years to come.
"It provides a well-designed layout and frees up space on the site that will allow us to deliver our scouting activities in the centre of our community. We look forward to holding a community open day here in September."
