Another Plan Submitted for Riverside Housing in Grove Park

Residents opposed to plan to build on Hartington Road garden

Developer's visualisation of the houses. Picture: Pilbrow and Partners

A new attempt is being made to build housing at the end of a riverside garden in Grove Park.

A planning application has been submitted for the construction of four houses at the back of 17 Hartington Road adjacent to the existing development at Chiswick Staithe.

There have been two previous schemes proposed for this site last year one of which was withdrawn and the other, which was for five houses, was declined by Hounslow Council planners.

The revised scheme has been drawn up after pre-application discussions with the planning department. As well as the new riverside housing, it is proposed to convert 17 Hartington Road back to a family dwelling with the demolition of modern additions to the house. The house was built in 1890 and is typical of London’s late Victorian suburban architecture. It is Locally Listed and is the last remaining example of a row of substantial houses that suffered bomb damage and were demolished prior to the development of Chiswick Staithe.


The view of the end of the garden from the river as it is now

The application site covers an area of 2,750m2 including what is described as the largest garden in Grove Park which runs all the way down to the river.

The refused application which was submitted in October 2020 was blocked on the grounds that the design was considered ‘bulky, dominant and incongruous; out of character with the Conservation Area’.

These new proposals which have been drawn up by Pilbrow and Partners addressing the concerns of planning officers about the previous schemes.previous Officer concerns.

View of the proposed housing from the rear. Picture: Pilbrow and Partners

Local residents are objecting to the proposal on the grounds that it would result in the loss of a 130 year old garden belonging to a locally listed Victorian villa which they say provides an important ‘green lung’ and helps prevent flooding in this part of Grove Park.

Debbie McMullen says, “The construction of four homes and a new access road would mean the loss of 30 trees, a natural habitat for bats, water voles, owls and many other birds. It would also mean the loss of a tree-lined riverside landscape. The narrow access road would have serious safety implications for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles using Hartington Road. “

The campaigners believe that climate change is already making flooding in this part of London more of a concern and that the mesh of root systems that have developed over decades regulate the safe flow of surface water via underground springs to the river. They say the proposed development would concrete over much of the garden and lead to the impermeable area increasing by more than five times.

17 Hartington Road

In addition they contend that the development contravenes Grove Park Conservation Area Guidelines and will increase parking pressure on Hartington Road as there will be only one car space for each 4 bed house and no visitor parking at all for the new homes.

The aerial image shows the length of the garden to the river and proximity with Chiswick Staithe

The planning reference is P/2021/2827. You can make comment online at www.hounslow.gov.uk/planning or email planning@hounslow.gov.uk.

For further information about the campaign against the proposal email:nogardengrab@gmail.com.

August 7, 2021