Trust and Hounslow Council 'set the record straight' on their positions

The area due to fenced and hard surfaced. Picture: DM Trust

The Dukes Meadows Trust and Hounslow Council have clashed again over the council's proposal for car parking in the recreational area.

The Trust recently set up a petition formally requesting the Council to abandon its proposal to develop car park areas and motor-coach turning circles at the Promenade open space. They have been criticial of Council plans to introduce car parking charges in Dukes Meadows.

This week Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran issued a press release 'to set the record straight' about the Council's position. Cllr Curran and Kathleen Healy of the Trust have had a number of disagreements about their vision for the Dukes Meadows. Cllr Curran said:

"The Council is aware that the Dukes Meadow Trust have raised concerns regarding changes to the parking arrangements at Dukes Meadow and have publicly stated that they are ‘alarmed and dismayed’ even though planning permission has been granted, with the full and proper consultation undertaken.

"The purpose of these changes is to formalise the parking arrangements in the park, which are often chaotic and can raise safety concerns, with informal parking often leading to damage to the park environment. Under these plans, parking on the carriageway is to be restricted across the whole of the park through the use of double yellow line waiting restrictions. In line with the planning consent, spaces on the verges along Dan Mason Drive and the Promenade, which are often already used for parking on occasions, are to be formalised for use by parking and tidied up. A charge is to be payable at the weekends. Taken together these changes will not increase the amount of parking space provided, nor encourage additional vehicles into the park.

"Concerns have been raised about the introduction of ‘coach turning circles’, turning spaces for large vehicles are already in situ onsite in the form of two hard standing areas near the bandstand on the Promenade. The proposals simply seek to restrict these spaces for that use by preventing long term parking. No new space for large vehicle turning is proposed.

"Kathleen Healy from Dukes Meadow Trust received a letter (3 September 2019) from Peter Matthew, Executive Director Housing, Planning & Communities which responds in detail to the Trust’s concerns.

“I am satisfied that the proper planning process and consultation has been followed, I would like to quote the following paragraph from Peter Matthew’s letter to the Trust:

“I am sorry that you feel the assessment of the proposal in the committee report was lacking. I have reviewed the report and see that it deals extensively with the designation of the land as Metropolitan Open Land and assesses the proposal in line with National, Regional and Local planning policy. The committee presentation (the PowerPoint put up on the projector during the meeting) specifically identifies the new parking on the Promenade and I understand that this was also verbally confirmed on the night. ln my opinion, it was very clear that these spaces were part of the planning application in front of the planning committee for decision.”

Cllr Steve Curran added; “The masterplan for Dukes Meadow is now making significant progress and we have secured financial investment from the Council and other bodies, in particular the RFU who have invested in a new 3G pitch with floodlights at Chiswick Rugby Club. Plans are also well underway for a new pedestrian bridge under the Barnes Railway Bridge. In addition, we have made improvements to the promenade by the bandstand and held our first Oxford and Cambridge boat race event for many years which was deemed by all, a great success. We also work very closely with the London Wildlife Trust who manage the Duke's Hollow, nature reserve on our behalf, who were also involved in developing our masterplan.

“All of this has been achieved through detailed and extensive consultations with our tenants, leaseholders and users of Dukes Meadow. Unfortunately, the Trust has never embraced these plans and improvements which is very disappointing. The Council, like the Trust, is committed to providing high quality leisure, sport and open spaces for all.”

Kathleen Healy of the Trust said, local people were horrified at the council's plans.

“The petitions organised by our charity have received the most tremendous support from local people and concerned organisations. Over a thousand local residents have signed the petitions calling on Hounslow Council to abandon their damaging and destructive scheme which would spoil our riverside public open space at Duke’s Meadows.

"Local people have reacted with astonishment, disbelief, and anger to Hounslow’s claim to have consulted them, and somehow to have gained their backing to the laying-out of car parks within the vicinity of this cherished green public asset. The public consultation by the council showed the opposite of what is now proposed;

"Board 6. shows the area along the Promenade with coloured dots indicating specific proposals. Dot 9 which is pink is explained on page 5 and says "protected reinforced grass to protect grass and allow parking only for selected events"

"I challenge the Council to produce documentation showing that a question was indeed raised in any recent public consultation exercise specifically relating to proposed provision of permanent car park areas at and in the vicinity of The Promenade – and to publish the results. Frankly Hounslow’s contention that their scheme somehow received any public support beggar’s belief.

"Duke’s Meadows Trust hosted one of the public consultations at its Sunday market. I received emails of thanks for the Trust’s help from both consultants involved in the masterplan. I sent the emails to Cllr Curran some time ago, after he made similar allegations at an Area Committee meeting. I was, therefore, surprised to see him repeat them and also by the personal way he is dealing with what is an issue of public trust in the council to properly consult on its plans and to follow its own policies on air quality, protecting the environment and promoting sustainable travel.

"Duke’s Meadow’s Trust is heartened by the messages of support and encouragement we have had for our campaign from a wide range of local organisations. Ours has never been a political campaign, and it was therefore particularly welcome news to learn that last week the local Chiswick Labour Party unanimously passed a resolution calling on Hounslow Council to abandon its plans which threaten the character and quality of The Promenade public open space."

A digital version can be signed on the Trust's website.

What area could look like after parking is introduced - Image: Dukes Meadows Trust

The Masterplan for the 137 acre amenity area involves upgrading a range of sports and leisure facilities on the site including, rugby, hockey, football, rowing, cricket, tennis and golf. The wider plans include improvements to the Dukes Meadows Bandstand and a pedestrian walkway built across the river to Barnes. The Council has secured over £2.2 million for improved sporting facilities and £1m for the development of the pedestrian bridge. Improvements to the public realm, repairs to the bandstand, the Thames path, and fences are underway.

You can see more on the Council's website:

September 16, 2019