'Apart-Hotel' Plan Gets Thumbs Down From Council Planners

---

Windmill Road development had been opposed by nearby residents

The building which was proposed to be demolished on Windmill Road. Photo: Google Maps

A plan to build an apart-hotel on Windmill Road, just off Chiswick High Road, has been given the thumbs down by Hounslow Council planners.

Local residents had opposed the plan on the grounds that a proposal to build 78 (formerly 85 apartments) would create a high density population in a quiet street of mainly terraced cottages. They were also concerned about noise and traffic- a total of 67 locals objected and two supported the proposal.

The developers proposed demolition of the existing building to build a three-storey plus lower ground storey and set-back fourth storey building.

However the Council's planning officers have said that the scale of the proposal was "excessive" for the size of the site and it would have an adverse impact on living conditions for nearby residents. They recommended refusal and commented:

"No marketing evidence has been provided to demonstrate compliance with policy ED2. The principle of the loss of the existing office floorspace would be considered unacceptable. The scale of the proposal is excessive in relation to the size of the site and this would have an adverse impact on neighbours’ living conditions. Therefore, refusal is recommended."

The owners of the site, Lamington UK, specialise in serviced apartments and rentals in West London for business and leisure guests. They own and manage similar facilities in Fulham, Brook Green and Hammersmith.

An apart-hotel is a hybrid hotel complex that provides for self catering visitors, typically business people on short term lets, or tourists.

Artist's impression of what the new building might look like

Some residents said their preference would have been for a previous plan for the site, which would have seen six town houses built there.

The car park beyond the one outside Marks & Spencers was to be part of the site. Photo: Google Map

December 3, 2016