Moves Towards Chiswick High Road Becoming Conservation Area
Heathfield Terrace to Chiswick Lane would get extra planning protection
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The long-awaited Conservation Area proposed for Chiswick High Road may be on the way soon as a public consultation is expected to be announced this week
The purpose is to provide extra protection to buildings of architectural or historical merit and prevent overdevelopment of the area.
Comments will be invited on the proposal following a single member decision expected to be taken by Hounslow Council leader Cllr Steve Curran on Wednesday 25th March). The public consultation is to then take place between 13th April 2015 and 9th June 2015.
The Council had hurriedly designated CHR as a Conservation Area last August following an application by a developer to demolish the Packhorse & Talbot public house. But as part of a judgement in a judicial review (taken by the developer against LBH), the Council was told the previous consultation period for designation of the area as a CA was not sufficient and it must start the process again. However the judge agreed that the decision had not been taken for an improper purpose.
Looking west along CHR circa 1901 (image LBH)
The special interest of the Chiswick High Road Conservation Area lies primarily in its development as a shopping street in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the survival of the buildings from this age. It is distinct from the two adjacent conservation areas as Turnham Green which focuses on the earlier settlement in and around the Green and Bedford Park which concentrates on the comprehensive development of the residential suburb. The conservation area also encompasses the commercial premises on Devonshire Road and Turnham Green Terrace
A map showing the proposed conservation area boundaries and the draft conservation area appraisal document will be available at the Civic Centre, in the borough's libraries and on the Council's website. Local community groups will be contacted as will those who have registered on the consultation database. A leaflet will be distributed to business and residents within the proposed boundary asking for their comments. The proposal will be considered by the Chiswick Area Forum in early June.
The new conservation area has been a possibility since 2001, when it was first raised as a possible westward extension along the High Road of the existing Turnham Green conservation area The council is proposing the new conservation area as a distinct and different area due to its differing character, reflecting the commercial development that grew up along the High Road in the late 19th and early 20th century.
Chiswick High Road Conservation Area
Area covered by proposed conservation area marked in bold
The area covered will include buildings along the High Road from east of Heathfield Terrace until Chiswick Lane and the parts of Turnham Green Terrace and Devonshire Road closest to the High Road.
Comments on the proposals should be sent to planning.comments@hounslow.gov.uk
March 23, 2015