Four storey building will also be sales and service centre for Citroen and DS cars

CGI of planned new sales and service centre on Chiswick Roundabout

A report by Council planning officers to be presented to the next meeting of the borough’s planning committee looks set to give the go-ahead to a major redevelopment of the ‘Warwick Wright’ site on Chiswick Roundabout.

Permission is being sought to build a four storey building for the sale and service of motor vehicles including wash and valet bays with associated used car display following demolition of the existing building.

The location has been in use as a car garage since the 1930s and currently operates under the Robins and Day brand. The present site comprises a car showroom occupied by Peugeot. It comprises a series of buildings dating from the 1930s, which have been
regularly altered and extended to date, but is presently defined by the two storey blue early 2000s buildings fronting the roundabout, which planning officers say are of limited architectural merit.

The application proposes demolition of the existing showroom and redevelopment to provide a glazed building that will provide sale and service for the Peugeot, Citroen and DS car brands. There would be the equivalent of 59 full time jobs created at the site.

The actual height of the building would be comparable to neighbouring buildings to the north (Chiswick Place) and east (Saudi Cultural Bureau).

Consultation on the scheme took place in June with over 600 properties sent notifications and a notice placed in the Chronicle and Informer. Other than the objections made by the West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society there was one objection from a resident. The grounds for objection including loss of light, the height of the building, its failure to harmonise with neighbouring properties and the lack of engagement with the local community. These were not deemed to provide sufficient grounds for approval by the Council’s planning officers. It was not called in for review by the Chiswick Area Forum.

The planners concluded, “Overall it is considered that the building would be of a high quality and distinctive design that would respond meaningfully to the context and character of the surrounding area, and ultimately enhance the character and appearance of the area.”

The report is on the agenda of the borough planning committee which meets at Hounslow Civic Centre on 7 September.

September 2, 2017