Hounslow Council Leader Heading to South of France

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Steve Curran to attend controversial property conference in Cannes

Steve Curran, the leader of Hounslow Council is to attend the MIPIM conference in Cannes against this year.

The Council say that the purpose of the visit is to highlight opportunities within the borough's at the world’s largest property conference later this month. Cllr Curran will discuss the authority's focus on the Great West Corridor and West of the Borough Plan.

Cllr Steve Curran

A stand at the event is being taken by InvestHounslow and they invite participants to “to discuss the upcoming opportunities for growth with an imminent decision on Heathrow’s third runway and other key opportunity sites in the borough”.

Hounslow Council delegations have attended the event regularly over the years including when Labour was not in control of the administration but the event has attracted criticism from some quarters with the claim that the Council should not be seen as too keen to court developers.

Curran said, "Thanks to our presence at MIPIM over the years, Hounslow is already well-known internationally as a borough that delivers regeneration both for new housing and jobs, this has been recognised by the mayor of London as we have been awarded two housing zones in the borough.

"Our close position to Heathrow Airport means that we are the gateway into London, which offers a unique opportunity for business."

The InvestHounslow stand is being sponsored by a number of developers operating in the area including Ballymore as well as Wilmott Dixon who are managing the Brentford stadium project and Heathrow airport.

This year’s conference takes place from 13-16 March.

We have asked Hounslow Council for details of the size of their delegation and who is paying for the trip but have yet to receive a response.

March 1, 2018