The Challenges Of Tackling Homelessness In Chiswick

Councillor Michael Denniss blogs about his week

Since my previous blog I have attended local residents’ group meetings, attended surgeries and heard applications at Hounslow (LBH)’s planning committee.

Application approved for building retail and residential units in Chiswick High Road

I have continued to attend the planning committee meetings where I have a vote on planning applications that have been called in. At the most recent meeting, held on 9th January, I and the planning committee councillors considered and approved an application to build a six-storey building with two retail and thirty four residential units in 396-400 Chiswick High Road, which is next to Toni & Guy and where Daniel Beds currently still trades. Several businesses, including the much-loved Valentina’s, have long gone and residents have been concerned about the empty units here and nearby.

We considered the objections to the application, particularly to the height of the building, the loss of light to neighbours, overlooking considerations and parking stress. The building does indeed raise the skyline to a new height, which will likely set a precedent for other applications, but I felt that on balance the application was sound. I was pleased to see that there was adequate provision for affordable housing and I hope that this will allow residents to get on the first rung of the housing ladder.

The West Chiswick and Gunnersbury Society had requested that certain details be secured as a condition for approval. These included structures on the roof terrace not impacting the skyline and that shopfront glass be clear rather than mirrored. I felt that this was reasonable and I raised it with the rest of the committee. After some discussion the committee agreed to approve the application subject to that condition. I hope that this will mitigate issues with the skyline.

Other applications included erecting new residential buildings and extending existing ones in Hounslow, with two in Staines Road and in Bedfont. All were passed. Again I am impressed by the professionalism of the council officers and their knowledge of planning matters. You can see all details here:

Wider planning and environmental considerations for new housing

A key consideration for all these applications is the council’s aim to build 5,000 new affordable homes as part of its 2019-2024 strategy. While this is commendable, I feel that councillors put too much weight on this and do not ask enough questions about the long-term sustainability and future concerns that residents might have. As The Economist pointed out this week, in 1950-1970 Britain followed a similar initiative and built some 3m units of social housing. The boom ended when fewer people wanted to live in poor-quality residential accommodation. The dash for volume encouraged the government to cut corners, demonstrated by the gas explosion at Ronan Point block in Newham in the late 1960s. I am therefore keen to see that residential units are of good quality and would attract residents in the long term.

The other issue is environmental. The council declared a “climate emergency” last year and will launch an eight-week public consultation on the draft climate emergency action plan next month. However, in all applications for residential blocks, there has been no corollary on the use of gas appliances on new applications, which could easily be added as a condition. This is an issue which Conservative councillors, particularly Sam Hearn, have repeatedly and vociferously raised in the council. I invite the council to consider a ban on gas appliances for new properties as a real and practical step towards combating climate change and in line with the “climate emergency” it has declared.

Hounslow Council holds back funding for homeless charities

Local charity The Shelter Project Hounslow (TSPH) opens up for the winter season TSPH, the locally run charity project that provides meals and beds for homeless men in the borough, has started its winter season. TSPH is a classic example of a grass roots-led community organisation that has been stunningly successful. The charity recently moved 70% of its guests into accommodation, won The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and commands an army of volunteers from across the borough including Chiswick Riverside ward. It is a well-run organisation with regular trustee meetings and a dedicated caseworker who works with the guests to find them permanent accommodation.

I stewarded two overnight shifts last week, one in Hounslow on 16th January and one in Chiswick on the 20th. What was clear to me was that homelessness remains a real issue across the borough. On both evenings at least six homeless men were catered for, and during the night I could see other homeless men walking around. The project is funded through grants, fundraising and generous donations which up to this year included a grant from Hounslow Council that unfortunately was not available this year. You can read more about it and make a donation here.

DATES FOR DIARIES

· Borough council: Tuesday, 28th January, 7.30pm at Hounslow House

· Chiswick Area Forum: Tuesday, 4th February, 7pm at Chiswick Town Hall

Surgeries

Chiswick: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 10.30am at Chiswick Library, upstairs in the private room.

· Gunnersbury: First Saturday of the month from 10am to 11am at The Triangle Club, The Ridgeway, W3 8LN, usually a group discussion but privacy can be arranged.

23 January 2020

Councillor Michael Denniss

Chiswick Riverside ward -michael.denniss@hounslow.gov.uk

January 25, 2020