Councillors Wave Through Police Station Development

51 flats for older people to be built despite some local opposition

A visualisation of the development provided with the planning application. Picture: Birchgrove

February 10, 2024

The Hounslow borough planning committee has voted to give planning permission for the redevelopment of the old Chiswick police station (P/2023/1632).

At a meeting on Monday night (5 February) councillors endorsed the view of planning officers that the scheme should be given the go ahead with just Cllrs John Todd and Amy Croft abstaining.

The meeting heard objections from residents of nearby Linden Gardens regarding the height, density, light and traffic problems that they believed the new building would cause. Opponent of the latest plan had accepted that the site needed to be redeveloped but were hoping the scheme would be deferred to require the developer Birchgrove to make amendments to ensure light and privacy to neighbouring homes.

One neighbour of the site, a Linden Gardens resident, mocked the design as looking like a ‘radiator’, saying that the design was too ‘corporate’.

Ward Councillor Joanna Biddolph said that the people of Chiswick had “suffered hideous building in recent years.” The councillor said she was in total agreement with the concerns of the myriad residents in attendance to voice their disapproval of the plans.

The councillor zeroed in on parking as a primary concern saying that by not having parking of its own the residency would begin absorbing local car parks preventing their use by people looking to come to Chiswick to shop and would therefore lose the area’s retailers’ important revenue. Staff at the facility would not be given parking spaces and would not receive parking permits.

She proposed a pause to plans and the provision of an underground car park be added to the site. However, committee member Cllr John Stroud-Turp voiced his frustration with her argument accusing her of using the application to ride “your normal hobby horse” to complain about parking in Chiswick.

He argued that it wasn’t relevant to the application in front of them. After several more representations, the project was approved.

The building at 205-211 Chiswick High Road is anticipated to take around three years to complete and will include 51 apartments available to rent for tenants aged 65 or over with the facility registered with the Care Quality Commission. There will be a 24-hour concierge service, restaurant, licenced bar, courtyard garden and wellness suite.

Visualisation of the building looking west up Chiswick High Road. Picture: Birchgrove

Birchgrove has promised to make ground floor facilities in the development available to local community groups ‘at minimal cost’ and provide a secure space for the local police team. The community space would be secured on payment of a deposit and would be free or a very reduced cost. This is secured as part of the s106 agreement made with the planning permission and could not be rescinded by a future buyer.

The scheme will provide a financial contribution of at least £400,000 towards extracare affordable housing in the Borough.

Birchgrove currently operates three retirement communities across the South-East, with three further communities under construction and now available for rental off-plan, and two further London sites acquired in addition to the one in Chiswick.

Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said,“After almost two years of consultation we are thrilled to have secured planning permission, and I would like to thank everyone – including the council and local residents - for both their support and suggestions to ensure the development is the best it can be and does Chiswick justice.

“All too often older people are shoved to the end of a cul-de-sac somewhere, but not here. With our development bang in the middle of Chiswick High Street, our residents will be able to flourish at the heart of the community.”

Written with contributions from Rory Bennett - Local Democracy Reporter