Local Support Sought For Empire House Challenge

Residents groups seek funding to take on Hounslow Council

The residents' groups supporting the challenge against the Lend Lease/Empire House development are creating a 'fighting fund' to spread the financial load of taking the judicial review against Hounslow Council and have appealed for local support.

The Judicial Review application was launched on 14 May and the group said that while the urgent priority was to lodge the legal documents as swiftly and completely as possible, the legal challenge deserved support and they also wanted to keep local residents informed.

"We will be organising a public meeting to discuss next steps. Meanwhile, should you wish to be involved, please contact Rebecca Frayn [ rebeccafrayn@mac.com ].

"We need a graphic designer, leaflet deliverers, and people willing to lobby for support.

The coalition of local groups will be organising a public meeting to discuss their next steps.

"Many in Chiswick have experienced the joys of “citizen engagement” with the London Borough of Hounslow for themselves, and may agree that it is time for some concerted action.

"Should the Empire House/Essex Place development go ahead, it will undoubtedly set a precedent for high rise buildings throughout Chiswick. Whilst some planning experts may claim that there is no such thing as precedent, this is not true in practice. Where the Local Plan, the neighbouring Conservation Area, the lack of public realm, the lack of affordable housing, the almost complete absence of parking, the lack of consultation with local residents and businesses has failed to modify this particular development – your street may be next.

Read the full length statement by the groups

Backed by local community groups, local resident Simon Kverndal QC served a judicial review pre-action letter on the London Borough of Hounslow. The council intends to defend its position.

Work has already started on the refurbishment of Empire House. The company declined to comment on the judicial review saying it related to how planning was handled by Hounslow Council.

Local groups had formed a coalition in their opposition to the proposed development, with Chiswick High Road Action Group,(CHRAG) Friends of Turnham Green, the West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society and Acton Green Residents’ Association joined by Sainsbury’s, who, together with British Land own the adjacent site, all rejecting Lend Lease’s proposals which they found "unacceptable".

Aerial view of the proposed scheme- Lend Lease

A view from Turnham Green ( Lend Lease)

May 5, 2015