Some buildings could be over 20 storeys high but there may be a cinema

Drawing of the proposed site with Chiswick Roundabout shown top left

Outline plans for the proposed development of the B&Q store site near Chiswick Roundabout have been published by the developers.

The drawings show at least six tower blocks in the mixed use development. No indication has been given by the developer as to the likely height of these towers but the drawings suggest that some of them will be as tall or taller than the Capital Interchange Way project. This is also pictured in the drawings and the maximum height there is 22 storeys.

The B&Q development which will be called Hudson Square will contain two blocks of student housing, a hotel, boutique cinema, car showcase as well as retail and assorted residential including an affordable block of flat.

The plans for which were exhibited to the public this week, are in the early design stages, but the developers are believed to be considering between 200-300 flats in total.

While they did not specify what height they proposed for the development at Hudson Square one source said they would not be considering a building as high as the proposed Chiswick Curve which is on an adjacent site and would be 32 storeys. We were told the plans 'would be in keeping with similar emerging developments for the area'.

Reef Estates say there is a demand for student accommodation in the area, and they believe the location would suit those at University of West London (based in Ealing and Brentford). They also say that the two blocks of Private Rented Sector (PRS) housing, would introduce more affordable rental accommodation. Underground car parking is proposed.

The developers Reef Estates, working with architects Benoy, will hold another exhibition in the autumn.

Local people who attended the exhibition raised the questions of air pollution as the site is at the junction of several busy roads, as well as the extra pressure on infrastructure, including public transport. Gunnersbury station would be the nearest underground station to the site and there are already concerns about it operating at over capacity. They plan to create a buffer zone to lessen the impact of noise. One source said that they might seek to have a commitment to development of the railway line at the rear of the site, to offset pressure on local public transport, but it is not known if this is feasible.

Located to the north of Chiswick Roundabout, the site is bordered by the Great West Road, Larch Drive, the North Circular Road and Gunnersbury Park to the north. It is approximately 1.6 hectares in size.

The mixed development also includes what is known as a car showcase, similar to the one at Westfield Stratford. They say there is a good deal of interest in this as there is for a cinema, possibly a two-screen Everyman, along with office space, retail, a public realm exhibition space for public art, which would link the multiple uses of the site.

The office space would be flexible, with co-working and start up hubs creating job opportunities. A tech orientated space, linked with the car showcase, known as an Innovation Hub, is also proposed. The Leisure & Retail area would include a boutique cinema, a gym and spa for the public and residents.

Hudson Square is the name of a public space at the centre of the scheme and will be surrounded by shops and restaurants which will support office, car showcase, hotel, student accommodation and flats.

The developers describe it as "a strategically important location for the regeneration of this area, stitching the varying urban fabrics of the east and west together. Once home to the Hudson Motor Company, the site played a key role in the industrial formation of the Great West Road, with purpose built premises for the company established on the site in 1926.

"The site is currently occupied by B&Q and is under-utilised, it has a size and location which
provide key opportunities to deliver a mixed-use development that creates a sense of place and
meets the long term needs of the community."

You can make your comments to the developers by emailing hudsonsquare@yourshout.org or call 0800 458 6976 (freephone).

June 22, 2017