Dukes Meadows Redevelopment Moves To Next Phase

Plans for pedestrian, cycling and sports facilities, a riverside cafe and a new bandstand

Artist's impression of the new riverside cafe Dukes Meadows

The Dukes Meadows 'Masterplan' is moving into its next phase, as the plan for the redevelopment of the lands including, improved pedestrian and cycling facilities, a new bandstand, a significant upgrading of sporting facilities and a Riverside cafe with views of the Thames is lodged with Hounslow Council's Planning department.

The cafe will be on the ground floor of a new Chiswick Boathouse for Thames Tradesmen Rowing Club which would become the West London base for London Youth Rowing. The Chiswick Boathouse will also become a focal point for the site linking the Thames Path for runners, cyclists, walkers and general recreation and use of Dukes Meadows joining up the open space across the bridge to the promenade and beyond into Dukes Meadows.

Initial planning permission was granted in April 2018 for the partial redevelopment of the Dukes Meadows playing fields and the site of the Thames Tradesmen's Clubhouse.

The renewed application (pursuant to conditions) currently lodged with Hounslow Council seeks approval for;

-demolition of various structures within the rugby clubhouse. (extension to the existing rugby club comprising additional team changing rooms for both rugby and hockey together with an attendant first floor rugby groundsman's dwelling)

- demolition of the existing Thames Tradesmen's rowing clubhouse, erection of a two-storey replacement, with boat storage, social spaces and a ground floor cafe.

-the demolition and replacement of the redundant public toilets on The Promenade

- retention and accessibility improvements to the existing bandstand

- upgrading of sports facilities, new grass pitches for rugby and football, floodlit and fenced artificial grass pitches for football and floodlit, partially enclosed, rugby artificial grass pitch and ancillary car parking and access improvements,

- wider public realm works within Dukes Meadows along Dan Mason Drive, The Promenade, Riverside Drive & Promenade Approach Road; highways and access improvements, cycle and car parking, signage, lighting, hard and soft landscape works

There is also a long term aim, separate from this work, to install a footbridge to sit underneath Barnes Bridge, which would connect the two riverside sections of the towpath and take pedestrians off the road completely. Planning permission has already been granted for the Barnes Bridge Walkway.

Improvements to Dan Mason Drive, the Bandstand and promenade area, and the general pedestrian experience in Dukes Meadows are an important component of the public realm component of the plan. The Council have taken advice from the London Wildlife Trust on planting and eco-friendly management, as well as an ecologist, a bandstand expert and a cultural events specialists.

Dukes Meadows is home to a number of sports clubs in the borough – Old Meadonians Football Club, Hounslow and Barnes Hockey Club, Chiswick Rugby Club, Thames Tradesmen Rowing Club and is used by clubs and organisations across London and the South East. The site is identified as a sport hub for the area in the Borough Plan.

The funding required is estimated to be over £10 million but there is likely to be a a shortfall. You can read earlier stories on the issue here.

Dukes Meadows is a popular local recreational area which has has two play areas, a riverside walk, Sunday Market and open areas for informal games of football or other games. You can read more about the area on their website.

July 4, 2018