Forum Topic

Gunnersbury Park Bowls Club

Some may have noticed the item on the front page of TW8 regarding the meeting of Hounslow Planning Committee on 20 January. One item on the agenda that is of particular local interest is the planning application for the change of use and extension of the Bowls Pavilion at Gunnersbury Park to create a cafe/restaurant.The change of use of the bowling green itself to a mini golf facility would not need planning permission but approval of the application for the Bowls Pavilion would almost certainly see an end to bowling in Gunnersbury Park, a sport that has been played there since 1931.It would be good if you could write a short email to the members of the Planning Committee listed in the item on the front page of TW8. Please respond, irrespective of whether you are for or against this proposal.     

Jim Storrar ● 2113d9 Comments

Well done Jim for putting this on here.I don't play bowls but my dad does and I know how important it is to him as to I imagine many local people.

David Powers ● 2112d

If you want to support this valuable community sport, please send your views to the members of the planning committee who will be considering it at their meeting on Wednesday, 20th January at 6.30pm.  Here's the officer's report - recommending refusal, a recommendation that supports the bowls club members' views: https://democraticservices.hounslow.gov.uk/documents/s165967/Bowls%20Green.pdfStory from the front page: http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=community&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/congunnsprk102f.htmEmail addresses: samia.chaudhary@hounslow.gov.ukmel.collins@hounslow.gov.ukrichard.foote@hounslow.gov.ukbishnu.gurung@hounslow.gov.ukamrit.mann@hounslow.gov.uk (chairman of the committee)john.todd@hounslow.gov.ukFrom May 2022, Gunnersbury Park will become part of Turnham Green ward, which will be renamed Chiswick Gunnersbury, and residents who live around the park along the south side of Popes Lane, above the shops just beyond, down Lionel Road North, and those shops will be part of our community.

Joanna Biddolph ● 2111d

Can anyone give an explanation, including perhaps the man himself, why Cllr Guy Lambert chose to call in this application?

Francis Rowe ● 2111d

From Cllr Guy Lambert's blog of 5th November 2020: "Later we have a discussion about the planning application for the former Gunnersbury Park bowls club building, which all three ward councillors have ‘called in’ so the planning committee can consider the application. Officers are recommending refusal but I’m concerned that the outcome of refusal will be the building and bowling green being left derelict for 18 months whilst the Gunnersbury Park CIC advertise it for community use with estate agents. The old bowls club (as I understand it) has been wound up and whoever takes on the clubhouse building will have to take on a full maintaining and repairing lease, which will be a stretch for community use."Actually the planning application is for a café supporting a golf centre which qualifies as community use (and would be a very welcome addition to the park given the loss of the previous one). Whatever, there are arguments for and against and I want to give the oxygen of publicity both to those who argue that the bowls activity should somehow be reinstated and those that argue that the space can be better used for other purposes. Anyway the meeting helps me understand some of the arcane corners of planning legislation which come into play here. I hope we end up having a proper debate at planning."Read it all here: http://www.brentfordtw8.com/default.asp?section=info&page=wardupdate266.htmAs I understand it, the bowls club had not been wound up; it certainly still exists with its members very keen to continue to play here and, as before, maintain the green voluntarily.  Here's an article in the Daily Telegraph dated 8th November 2020 : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/11/08/cries-ageism-plan-turn-historic-bowls-club-pitch-putt/

Joanna Biddolph ● 2110d

Maybe Guy likes crazy golf over bowls?  Don't see how bowls and golf can co-exist on this particular area of the site but would be happy to be told I am wrong. Personally I would prefer golf to bowls, but I think the people who have clearly enjoyed bowls over many years here should at the very least have a very firm voice on all this.

Claire Moran ● 2110d

It DOES NOT have to be an either or situation. There is plenty of space in the park for the crazy golf, for instance using the old tennis courts area - a flat expanse of ground and with a building right beside it if a pizzeria is wanted.The bowling club has not been wound up and the site has not been abandoned or left derelict as claimed. A group of volunteers has cleared it of weeds and mowed it. It needs urgent attention now to prepare it for the new season that starts in April. Bowling can be played observing Covid-safe protocols.Keir were allowed to depart the area beside the green, leaving their rubbish behind, without making good the damage they did, or replacing the gate they removed. The CIC were made aware of this and did nothing.Surely wantonly destroying an existing amenity in a park without an absolutely imperative reason should be the last thing those who 'run' it should ever consider?

Bela Cunha ● 2110d

The Planning Committee, at their meeting on 20 January, resolved to defer a decision on the planning application for the site of the Bowls Club. This is a much better decision than a permission but an outright refusal would have been by far the best outcome for us. The fight goes on!

Jim Storrar ● 2105d

The fact there is plenty of space for both, they should never have taken this course of action as Gunnersbury is suppose to be for everyone.

Janice Evans ● 2105d

Also there are junior bowls clubs starting up elsewhere.

Janice Evans ● 2105d