25-Storey Skyscraper Planned Next to Chiswick Business Park
Huge development by TfL to be made up of twelve tower blocks on Bollo Lane
25 storey tower planned on Bollo Lane. Picture from TfL Exhibition
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Transport for London have disclosed more details of their plans for a huge development along Bollo Lane on the border of Acton and Chiswick.
They are now planning to build 12 tower blocks the tallest of which will be 25-storeys just to the north of the Chiswick Park Office development. The proposed tower will be more than twice the height of any building in Chiswick Park.
TfL describe the 25-storey tower as the landmark building for the development and there will be an 18-storey building next to it. The other ten towers will become progressively smaller as the development progresses along Bollo Lane with a 5 storey building next to the Grade II listed Acton Town underground station.
TfL says the height of these buildings is ‘in keeping with the local context’ even though the tallest building in the area is currently the 13-storey tower recently constructed by Pocket Living. Another proposal for a 22-storey building near South Acton train station is also being made by a private developer. TfL say that at the northern end of the development towards Acton Town station the buildings will match the height of the blocks on the opposite side of the road.
They state that they ‘have extensively considered the effects of the proposed massing on our neighbours, particularly in terms of daylight/sunlight, to ensure that there are no unacceptable impacts.”
Overview of the Bollo Lane scheme
The whole project will comprise 875 units for rent or to buy and TfL say they are committed to making 50% affordable with a high proportion ‘genuinely affordable’. They also are promising improved pedestrian facilities along Bollo Lane, three children’s play areas and a ‘Green Corridor’ to limit the impact on bio-diversity in the area. The design approach will ‘reflects the transport and industrial history of the site’ with existing railway arches incorporated. There will also be new retail and work space facilities. The development will be ‘car-free’ with no resident parking provided.
Sizes of the units will range from one to three bedroom and almost all of the residential units will have dual aspects with windows facing in at least two different directions.
Local residents’ groups we asked to comment on the scheme were unaware of the proposal before we contacted them and have criticised TfL for the lack of publicity. Two public exhibitions of the scheme were held in the Acton Gardens Community Centre earlier this month but no notification that it was taking place was given to the press.
Local Mp Rupa Huq commented: "The drawings look like a dystopian nightmare. I’m intrinsically against densification of the suburban landscape. It is worrying that there is a trend in Ealing borough to favour such overdevelopment including the proposed towers at West Ealing and the approval to bulldoze a field to plonk an ugly concrete box boys prep school on – relocated and expanded.
I will be attending the so called consultation at the weekend and encourage all residents to do so and pose difficult questions but it often feels that these schemes are pre-ordained and imposed upon residents who are powerless to do much about them in the face of Conservative planning policy favouring hideous high rise. "
Graeme Craig, Director of Commercial Development at Transport for London (TfL), said, “We are excited to be sharing our more detailed proposals to deliver around 875 homes in Acton - with 50 per cent affordable housing - plus a range of benefits for the local community following their feedback. Our proposals have been designed to reflect the site’s surroundings and the thoughts of the local community and, as well as new homes, include delivering new commercial space for retailers, green areas, play spaces and footpaths to make walking safer and easier.”
View of the project along Bollo Lane. Picture from TfL exhibition
The planning application is to be submitted this Spring with determination expected to be made by Ealing Council by the end of the year allowing work to start in Spring 2021. TfL are planning phased construction over five years with work beginning at each end of the site and working towards the middle. This would mean that the 25-storey tower would be one of the first to be commenced.
Matt Coulson, CEO CHISWICK PARK ENJOY-WORK commented: “We have witnessed the regeneration of this side of London for the last 20 years and I think we will continue to see significant changes in the area. While there is no doubt that it will bring its own challenges, especially considering the population growth that will be placing pressure on public transport, I believe it will turn out to be for the benefit of Chiswick and we look forward to seeing the development taking shape. The whole area will benefit from the redevelopment of the site, which will bring together a new neighbourhood and create a wider community.”
January 23, 2020
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January 23, 2020
