Strand On The Green Houseboat Application Withdrawn

Architect says that revised plan will be submitted soon

The planning application to create moorings for two houseboats at Steam Packet Steps (opposite Cafe Rouge) has been withdrawn.

However, the architect of the scheme has told ChiswickW4.com that it is his client’s intention to submit a revised application in the near future.

The Strand on the Green Association (SoGA) objected to the original application on several grounds, including visual impact on a conservation area, the potential for navigational hazards, damage to ecology, and noise, pollution and rubbish. They also said it would have led to 'houseboat creep' in the area.

Strand on the Green Sailing Club, which has been in operation over 70 years, was also opposed. The club said having houseboats moored there could cause safety problems. The moorings would significantly intrude into the navigable water of river, and create a hazard for dinghy and other sailing activities. The club says houseboats moorings would effectively be a privatisation of the river and of no benefit to the public.

It is not known at this stage how far any revised application will go to meet the concerns of the SoGA and the sailing club.

The original application to Hounslow Council was made for two residential vessels, or houseboats and was for the "formation of residential boat mooring including driving 2 piles, installing timber grid, pontoon, access ramp and gate and mains services." This was not connected with a recent proposal for a 'Chiswick Beach' facility for 25 houseboats and a leisure facility.

The applicant said that river frontage at Strand on the Green was used for mooring boats and barges from the 18th century until the mid-20th century. In particular it was used by vessels associated with the Pier House Laundry, built in 1905, and the Steam Packet Public House (now Café Rouge).

There are no other houseboats in this area although there are communities of houseboats in Brentford, past Kew Bridge.

A proposal known as Chiswick Beach for 25 houseboat moorings and leisure facilities extending downstream from the drawdock at Kew Bridge, which included the application site, was made in March 2017 and withdrawn early in 2018.

June 9, 2018