Judicial review next month as developer challenges Conservation Area status

Hounslow Council has said it will "robustly" defend its stance on keeping Chiswick High Road as a Conservation area, as the future of the Packhorse & Talbot pub is threatened by development.

A judicial review sought by the developer against LBH will be heard early in February. The developer is seeking to overturn the Council's decision to declare part of the High Road as a Conservation area.

Cllr Steve Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “The High Court has granted permission for a full judicial review hearing following an application by Silus Investments challenging the decision by the council to designate part of Chiswick High Road as a Conservation Area.

“Prior to the designation of the Conservation Area, Silus Investments had submitted an application to demolish the Packhorse and Talbot public house, which the council refused on the grounds that this would involve the demolition of a building within a Conservation Area, for which planning permission would be required.

“As a council committed to preserving our rich heritage we stand by our decision to designate part of the High Road as a Conservation Area and will robustly defend our stance.”

Taylor Walker signed a lease last August to run the pub for another year.

Although the current building was put up in the 20th century there has been a pub on the site since 1650

Last August when the pub came under threat, it was suggested that residents could ask for the pub to be made an Asset of Community Value if it would help save it.

The owners of the site on Chiswick High Road had made an application last August to proceed with the demolition of the pub. There was an outcry in Chiswick at the suggestion of the Packhorse being demolished.

LBH refused the application on the basis that the works constitute "demolition of an unlisted building in a conservation area".

The Council also reminded the applicant of the policies on loss of community uses which such applications would need to rectify.

Having the pub as an Asset of Community value gives a limited amount of protection gives a limited extra protection against redevelopment but not as much as listed status. Although the current building was put up in the 20th century there has been a pub on the site since 1650

January 21, 2015