Widespread local opposition to the Lionel Road Scheme
Acton residents may be aware that the London Borough of Hounslow last week approved a planning application by Lionel Road Developments Limited to build 910 high rise apartments, a 160 bedroom hotel and a 20,000 seat football stadium just over the South Ealing- Brentford border in a a triangular site bounded by Lionel Road, three railway lines and the West end of Chiswick High Road. This scheme is contrary to borough, GLA and national planning guidelines and policy, particularly as it contains no social or affordable housing and involves building tower blocks up to 17 storeys high within 5 metres of each other adjacent to the A4, the M4, Chiswick Road, the North Circular Road and Kew Bridge in an area where traffic congestion is already a major problem.The Council approved this application despite the serious objections made by over 1,000 residents of Chiswick W4, Acton W3, Brentford TW8, Richmond TW9 and others and despite the objections of local non-party political residents groups who represent many thousands of local people who live close to the proposed scheme. Members of these groups will have found it unnecessary to submit objections individually as they quite understandably felt they were represented by their local residents' group, society or association.The objectors included: 1. Brentford Community Council2. Chiswick High Road Action Group3. Strand on the Green Association4. Friends of Stile Hall Gardens5. The Kew Society6. The Kew Residents Association7. The Kew Bridge Owner's Association8. The Isleworth Society9. The West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society10. The Thornton-Mayfield Residents Association11. The Temaire Place Residents Management Company 12. The Green Dragon Lane Housing Cooperative13. The Grove Park Group (whose objections were mysteriously omitted from the Officers' Report).14. The Isleworth SocietyImportant national and local organisations that objected included:15. The London Borough of Richmond on Thames16. English Heritage (whose objections will be a matter for consideration by the Secretary of State in accordance with Circular 02/09)17. The Georgian Group18. The Victorian Society19. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew20. Kew Bridge Engines Trust (The Steam Museum)21. The London Parks and Gardens TrustThe Greater London Authority commented critically on the Report but did not lodge an objection at this stage perhapsd because the planning application will now be referred to the Mayor in accordance with the Mayor of London Order 2008. The London Borough of Ealing made no objection even though Ealing residents nearby will be badly affected by the scheme - both during construction and afterwards.The application was supported by Stephen Pound, the MP for Ealing North (which is of course a safe distance away from Lionel Road, Chiswick and Brentford).
David Giles ● 4661d6 Comments ● 4659d