'Too High' Chiswick Development To Go Before Hounslow Council

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The plans by Lend Lease for Empire House will be discussed by Planning Committee

The controversial Lend Lease proposal for a large residential and retail development on Chiswick High Road, will go before Hounslow Planning Committee for discussion this month.

The plan, to redevelop the former Empire House into flats, and to build a 7/8 storey tower block and four townhouses in Essex Place, and a 5-storey block on the corner of Essex Place and Acton Lane will be discussed at the planning meeting on January 29th at the Hounslow Civic Centre at 7.30pm.

Lend Lease has submitted plans to create 137 new dwellings in the middle of Chiswick High Road opposite Turnham Green and in the two small car parks behind Empire House. The existing office block of Empire House is to be enlarged by two further storeys of penthouse apartments to make 13 storeys and protruding balconies.

Opposition to the Lend Lease development on Chiswick High Road has grown in recent months with one local group describing it as "the biggest backward step for this area of Chiswick" for over fifty years.

The meeting is open to the public, but speakers are only allowed to address the Committee in particular circumstances. Those who wish to speak can contact the Committee Administrator, Wendy Merry on 020 8583 2061 020 8583 2061 or email wendy.merry@hounslow.gov.uk

Image above is a drawing of Empire House as submitted to LBH

The developer is seeking : "Comprehensive redevelopment of the site for residential led mixed use development, including the change of use and alterations and additions to Empire House to residential accommodation including at plant level with recladding and addition of balconies to the existing tower, provision of residential floorspace across the remainder of the site including a erection of a 7/8 storey block and four 3-storey townhouses on Essex Place and a 5-storey block on the corner of Essex Place and Acton Lane, creating a total of 137 dwellings, retention and additions to the existing commercial space (A1 to A3 uses) including additional storeys to existing units, landscaping works and improvements to the public realm, cycle parking and creation of on and off-street parking""

The full agenda for the Planning Committee with officer's reports, is normally available to view a minimum of seven days before the date of the meeting.

The Chiswick High Road Action Group (CHRAG) has published its objections to the scheme.

Other local groups have also criticised the scheme as currently proposed for being 'too high' and not providing enough amenity space. Some critics of the development have said that unpopular aspects of the project have been "buried" in the detail of words, diagrams and drawings.

January 15, 2015