Plans Being Drawn Up for Huge GSK Site Redevelopment |
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Mixed use scheme will create a new neighbourhood in Brentford
June 21, 2024 The owner of the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Building has announced that it is to begin an initial consultation on plans to redevelop the 13.4 acre site. It is understood that the intention is to build a major mixed use scheme including flats and commercial space. No indication of the size and scale has been given at this stage, but it could potentially be the largest ever development in the Brentford area. Hadley Property Group says that it is at a very early stage of planning and wants to hear from local people how they would like to see the site at 980 Great West Road used. It is describing the scheme as one that will create a new neighbourhood in Brentford. The pharmaceutical giant GSK sold the site in 2021 and announced its intention to vacate the building, which was its global headquarters, at the end of 2022 saying all staff would have left the Brentford site by 2024 for a building in central London. GSK staff continue to work at the Brentford location, but it is expected that they all will have left by the end of the year. GSK House was opened in 2002 by Tony Blair after the company spent £315 million on its construction. Hadley Property Group is a private company which describes itself as a regeneration specialist and is involved in a number of mixed-use schemes in London. It says it wants to “Work with local people and interest groups to co-curate their futureplace, starting with meanwhile uses.”
Other projects the company has been involved with have seen part of the site given over to community or creative uses during the construction phase. Hadley says it will be supporting artists and creative businesses by offering them ‘affordable‘ spaces. The site is relatively flat with a gentle slope down from east to west and of regular shape. The western boundary is the River Brent, with Boston Manor Park to the north. The eastern boundary of the site is Boston Manor Road whilst the Great West Road forms the southern boundary. There are two public engagement events planned, the first of which takes place at Boston Manor House on Wednesday 26 June from 5:30pm to 8:30pm and the second at The Potting Shed, Boston Manor Park on Saturday 29 June from 12pm – 4pm. Members of the project team will be present to answer questions. The developer says it wants to hear from ‘area experts’ about the history of the site and surrounding areas and any thought they might have for the temporary use of the site before construction begins. The company says further details of its plans will be presented over the coming months. A project web site has been set up with further details of the scheme and the consultation
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