Hogarth Business Park To Become Residential

Developer granted permission after submitting more 'traditional' design

The Berkeley Group has been given the final go- ahead to develop the Hogarth Business Park into a residential area. Permission was granted after the developer submitted a revised design which was felt to be more in keeping with the surrounding area.

The project which is adjacent to Hogarth Roundabout will be known as Chiswick Gate and will provide 173 homes of which 43 will be houses and 130 apartments, including affordable housing.

The development was granted permission last February subject to changes which now include building an underground car-park, amendments to the architecture and facades and improved landscaping with more space between units.

Revised apartment design (above)-image Berkeley group

Councillors at the Hounslow Council Planning Committee meeting this week gave the project final approval. In addition the company will pay S106 monies of over £233,000 to Chiswick House and £626,257 towards education.

The developers say the design changes will make the overall appearance a more traditional style to complement the historical interest of the area. The proposed facades and roof designs are considered to pay greater respect to the adjoining terraced residential streets, including Paxton Road, as well as the local heritage elements of the Chiswick House and Grounds Conservation and the neighbouring Old Chiswick Conservation Area.

The previous design for the apartments - Image Berkeley group

The previous application proposed three individual blocks C, D and E which were located adjacent to McCormack House. The current application proposes to join blocks C and D together, forming an L-Shape block, of six storeys, whilst block B would still be a standalone building, with its height increased by one storey.

A total of 192 car park spaces, all underground, will be provided so that there is 1:1 parking for all the units. 10 visitor spaces for Hogarth House are retained at surface level, in addition to four residential visitor spaces near the access via Burlington Lane

The design for the houses, revised with more traditional terraced appearance

The housing mix consists of 19 one bedroom units, 56 two bedroom units and 4 three bedroom units. This is an increase of one bedroom units by two and reduces the number of three bedroom units by two. The proposed mix of the town houses and the affordable housing units remains at 30 per cent.

There were five letters of opposition from locals, mostly related to parking issues which might affect Paxton Road and to issues relating to landscaping and trees.

The Berkeley group said they intended to start development as soon as possible. Construction is expected to take over two years.

Situated close by the Hogarth roundabout on the Great West Road, with an entrance on the A316, the business park was owned Prudential Life Fund and despite extensive marketing has been only 50% occupied for some time.

View of the original design from Burlington Lane

The current aspect of the area near the flyover

Matthew Biddle, Managing Director of Berkeley West London said : “Chiswick has such a strong reputation within London and it is desirable for families, professional couples and downsizers alike. Chiswick Gate, which sits beside a number of attractive tree-lined streets, promises to create a sense of place and community amongst homeowners. It has a buzz of exclusivity around it due to its position next to the historic Chiswick House and Gardens and, with its luscious private gardens and close proximity to the River, we expect huge demand for the homes when they launch.”

October 31, 2014