That Was The Year That Was..

Chiswick gains a cinema and a flight path and tries in vain to stay in the EU

The looming threat of the Chiswick Curve appears to have receded for now

There were over 2 million visits made to the ChiswickW4.com web site during a year which brought major changes for the area.

One of the biggest issues for residents in 2016 was the 32 storey Chiswick Curve which was announced at the start of the year but recommended to be turned down by Hounslow Planning officers right at the end. In the view of most local people there was a similarly satisfactory ending to the long drawn out saga of the Picturehouse Cinema which succeeded in getting planning permission in December. There was a less positive reaction to the approval given to the the Third Runway at Heathrow, and of course, Brexit which Chiswick voted overwhelmingly against.

Parking in Chiswick , new restaurants, crime stories and traffic were also popular local reads throughout the year. Property sales continued to make headlines, but fears of a post-Brexit vote collapse failed to materialise. The CPZ issue continues to be of interest to Grove Park residents.

Restaurants arriving to Chiswick included the 197 Chiswick High Road, and Little Bird. Melody opened and its new conservatory style extension attracted opposition from some residents. Yupa's Thai moved to the Bedlington Cafe premises.

Local groups in Chiswick continued their hard work, from the High Road Action Group to local councillors and residents' groups trying to improve their local area. The Bedford Park Festival once again attracted substantial local support.

Chiswick celebrities continued to make news - David Tennant succeeded in his attempt to extend his family home in Chiswick, Ant and Dec received OBEs and and Janet Ellis published her first novel.

Crime in Chiswick throughout the year ranged from burglaries to phone snatches and street scams, and the area retained high figures for theft from motor vehicles.

Local schools continued to do well, although at the end of the year Chiswick School had an interim Ofsted report which said it was complying with areas which had 'required improvement', while Strand on the Green Junior and Infant schools succeeded in their campaign against amalgamation into one new school.

January

Lorry Which Killed Anne Naysmith Was Doing 9Mph
Inquest hears details of the last moments of the 'Car Lady of Chiswick'

Approval Sought for 32-Storey Chiswick Skyscraper
Application submitted just before Christmas holidays

Massive Fire Rips Through Offices on Strand-On-The-Green
Blaze hits offices of media agency representing local celebrities

Picture: Julian Pavey


February

Le Vacherin Owner Victim Of Alleged Racist Attack
Man will appear in court this week in connection with charge

Chiswick School Plans Major Expansion
New teaching block proposed to cope with anticipated extra demand for school places

Owners Of Tommy Cooper's Former Home Delighted About 'Blue Plaque'
Speak about what it's like to live in the home of the legendary comedian

March

Janet Ellis Publishes Her First Novel
Former Blue Peter presenter writes 'bodice-ripping thriller'

Five-Day Beer Festival For Chiswick Gets Go-Ahead
Local residents unhappy as Ealing Council gives permission for Oktoberfest on Acton Green

Hounslow Council Accused Of 'Throwing In The Towel' on Third Runway
Stand at Cannes property conference hails 'opportunity' of Heathrow expansion

April

David Tennant Taking On Council Planners Again
The actor now seeking to expand at the rear of his Chiswick home

Chiswick High Road Nation's Top for Fines Again
For second year in a row over a million pounds raised from local motorists

Brad Pitt Pays Visit to Chiswick's B&Q
Hollywood star spotted browsing in the hardware superstore

Brad Pitt in B&Q in Chiswick. Picture @Harish1234321

May

Estate Agent Closures on Turnham Green Terrace Predicted
Head of local firm says competitors are setting high valuations out of desperation

Wheelie Bin Chaos In Bedford Park
Mix up over large and small bins brings furious reaction from residents

Legal Challenge To Empire House Scheme Defeated
Local groups give up after High Court and Council gives development the go-ahead

June

When Chiswick School Children Gave Muhammad Ali a Cake
Were you one of the group who met the legendary boxer in 1979?

Queen's Birthday Honours for Ant and Dec
OBE for local TV presenters with Janet Ellis getting an MBE

Post Referendum - What Now For Chiswick Homeowners?
'Safe as houses', writes a local property blogger

July

Chiswick Artist's Studio Featured in Love Actually Up For Sale
Used in scene in which Colin Firth catches girlfriend 'in flagrante'

Former Apprentice Shuts Chiswick Estate Agency
Local property expert believes this could be the first closure of many

Parking Charges To Increase In Chiswick By 20%
A move to cashless parking and higher rates to come into force next month

August

Oktoberfest Could Become 'Annual Chiswick Tradition'
Organiser Carsten Raun would like to see this week's beer festival on Acton Green return every year

Residents Irate At Apps Which Turn Their Road Into Rat-Run
Residents demand action to stop Stile Hall Gardens being used as a short-cut

Chiswick Wins its First Gold Medal of the Olympics
Pete Reed gets his third gold as men's eight triumph in Rio

September

Joy For Chiswick Family Reunited With Missing Dog After Six Weeks
Police locate Mike Clarke's pet Bertie at traveller site in Kent

Anger As Iconic Willow Tree At Strand on the Green Topples Over
Locals claim that delay in planned Council work may have led to its demise

Picture: Yvonne Baker

Proposed Chiswick Boundary Changes 'Gerrymandering' Say Labour MPs
Could the next election see a battle between local Tory 'big hitters' to reclaim seat?

October

Rolling Stones Announce New Album Recorded In Chiswick
Their first studio release in a decade was recorded at British Grove Studios

Woman Driver Charged In Jeremy Vine 'Road Rage' Incident
Student to appear in court on motoring charges next month

Anger Over Further Chiswick Park Footbridge Delay
Commuter frustration at Gunnersbury station congestion as project fails to make progress

November

Chiswick Man Wins Nine-Year Battle Over Homophobic Abuse
Six-figure settlement after police apologise for calling his complaint a ‘quibble'

Chiswick's Trump Trumps Trump
Pugnacious' character unmoved by birthday celebration for owner

Robert Oulds Responds To 'Pro-Putin' Allegations
Chiswick councillor describes Sunday Times article as 'hysterical reporting'


December

Sainsbury's Mulls New Plans For Chiswick Store
Company obtains freehold of the site for potential future mixed development

Picturehouse Cinema For Chiswick Gets Go-Ahead
Application voted through at Hounslow's Planning Committee despite concerns about parking

Election Chaos At Moldovan Embassy In Chiswick
Protest mounted after people told they could not vote as ballot papers ran out

Outlook Uncertain For Tabard Theatre Over Christmas
Theatre closed at present as lease has expired

Routemaster Ploughs into Building on Chiswick High Road
No reports of injuries after driver appears to have lost control of bus

December 27, 2016