Changes Proposed to Two Chiswick Conservation Areas
Plan to redefine boundaries of Bedford Park and Acton Green
Fielding Road to be added to conservation area to western end by The Avenue
Ealing Council is considering changes to the borders of Conservations Areas (CAs) in Chiswick which could have a significant impact for residents of these areas.
The council has been conducting a review of all its CAs including Bedford Park and Acton Park to establish if any boundaries should be redefined and if any additional planning controls/guidance are needed to help preserve and enhance the special character of the area.
It is consulting interested parties on the changes proposed for both CAs and inviting responses to specific questions. After the consultation to garner views and a decision by the Council, there will be a formal statutory consultation before the Council adopts the plans outlined. The deadline for the consultation is 18 March.
The Bedford Park Society has alerted its members to the proposals outlined and is supportive of the changes, which include:
- Extending the CA boundary to the western end of Fielding and Blandford Roads up to The Avenue, including Ormsby Lodge
- Formally recognising certain buildings of particular interest as “key unlisted buildings” because of their design, form, elevations and/or historical integrity. These are Bedford Park Mansions, Sydney House, the parade of shops on Bedford Corner and specified houses in Fielding Road and Esmond Road
- Introducing an Article 4 Direction to ensure certain types of minor developments affecting 39-45 Esmond Road are brought back under the control of the Council and are considered through planning applications.
- Providing further practical design guidance to help deal with some of the key developments affecting the CA, covering roofing alterations, windows and doors, brickwork, extensions, outbuildings, fences and boundary treatment.
A recommendation made by the Conservation Area Advisory Panel to extend the CA area in Esmond Road to include the onetime Local Authority flats/houses in order to provide protection from any future development was not supported by council officers, but residents are asked to comment.
Map showing existing boundaries of Bedford Park Conservation Area
The proposals for Acton Green include:
- Removing the Beaconsfield Estate from the CA boundary on the basis that this modern estate (1970s) is very different in character from the rest of the CA which is Victorian/Edwardian in nature
- Formally recognising buildings which contribute positively to the area. These include the locally listed buildings at 1-24 Fairlawn Court, Acton Lane and those defined as “positive indicators” - The Vicarage, 41 South Parade, St Albans Church, Rusthall Mansions, Esmond Gardens, Nos 79-81 South Parade, Nos 12-44 Acton Lane and 5-10 Hardwicke Road
- Introducing an Article 4 Direction for the CA, and providing further practical design guidance to help deal with some of the key developments affecting the CA, such as alterations to windows and doors.
The Conservation Area Advisory Panel’s proposal to add the triangle of land between Fairlawn Avenue, Fairlawn Grove and Ravenscroft Road to the CA boundary is not supported by council officers due to the differences in design and age of the houses compared to the rest of the CA.
Local residents are being encouraged to give their views on the proposals by the Bedford Park Society, although you may choose to respond to selected questions only.
The questions where responses are invited, together with a brief rationale for each change, are set out in this document.
Responses should be sent to: localplan@ealing.gov.uk
For further information about the Bedford Park Society: email: information@bedfordpark.org.uk or check the website: www.bedfordpark.org.uk
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February 20, 2022
