How The 32-Storey Chiswick Curve Would Look Across Chiswick

Campaign against tower which would 'scar the Chiswick skyline' planned

Likely view of Chiswick Curve from Clarence Road Chiswick

Local residents' groups and councillors have started to organise what one of them has described as a 'life and death' struggle against the Chiswick Curve, the 32 storey tower planned at Chiswick Roundabout.

A public meeting is planned as well as a petition and even a protest march against the building which would tower over the skyline in W4, from Gunnersbury to Kew Bridge and has been described as 'deeply offensive' by one local Councillor.

Turnham Green ward Councillor Adrian Lee said, "This is a life and death issue for both West Chiswick and our wider community. We are determined to fight this proposal via every peaceful means. This is not a party political issue as it affects each and every one of us. As councillors, we will be organising a public meeting, raising a petition and are looking at staging a protest march. We hope that the community will come together to save the special nature of Chiswick and Gunnersbury.”

As Hounslow Council invites comments on the plans, a clearer picture of the scale of the development can be gauged from visualisations included in the reports some of which are published below.

Cllr Lee's war colleague Samantha Davies said, "Make no mistake, this proposed building would be a game-changer. A tower of this size and proportion would permanently scar the Chiswick skyline forever and would set a precedent for future buildings on a similar scale. Remember, we could face another batch of skyscrapers on the B&Q site immediately next door. This ugly monstrosity is completely out of character with the surrounding area and if built, Chiswick would be defiled.”

The tower at Chiswick roundabout will contain up to 320 new apartments with 1-3 bedrooms and an expected 800 new residents. There will also be 50,000 square feet of commercial space including offices and restaurants which is anticipated will accommodate 400 staff. The second one will be 25 storeys high and linked to other tower at the lower levels.

Representatives of the developers will be giving a presentation on the Chiswick Curve to the next meeting of the Chiswick Area Forum this Tuesday (19 January).

The Chiswick Curve from Strand on the Green

A formal planning application was submitted by Starbones Limited to Hounslow Council on 21 December 2015. If planning permission is granted, the resulting skyscraper would be the tallest building in West London, higher than Trellick Tower in Paddington.

Letters have now been sent by Hounslow Council to hundreds of homes in Chiswick asking for comment. The deadline for residents to make comments is 1 February, although comments received after this date will still be considered if a decision has not been made by the Council.

Planning applications are evaluated against the Council's planning policies as set out in the Local Development Plan.

The Curve from Kew Bridge

Cllr. Peter Thompson said: “How on earth is the current local infrastructure going to cope with all of these new residents and employees, especially coming on top of the massive Brentford Football Club enabling development just down the road? We are talking about literally thousands of new residents in this corner of Chiswick. Where are new schools and health-centres to serve these people? What would be the impact on our roads and public transport? One thing is for certain, the whole of West Chiswick would be turned into a vast building site while these towers are constructed. Just imagine the impact on roads all around the local area. As for the suggestion that affordable housing tenants should only enter through 'poor doors', well that is nothing short of social apartheid. The proposal is deeply offensive.”

The Curve outside Gunnersbury station on Chiswick High Road

Another view from Strand on the Green

From Chiswick streets near Wellesley Road

A view from the A4

Looking north from Strand on the Green

Skyscraper viewed from Chiswick Roundabout

The developers claim that an outward facing design approach and 'public realm strategy' will overcome the severance effect of the M4 flyover. They are also promising an improved pedestrian and cyclist environment beneath the M4 flyover.

Skyscraper viewed from the south of Chiswick Roundabout

January 17, 2016