CHISWICK, HAMMERSMITH & LONSDALE ROAD

Key Characteristics

This reach is crossed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette's landmark, the Hammersmith suspension Bridge. The new riverside development at Corney Reach has provided a pier and is one of the few that allows visitors to berth their boats. Chiswick Eyot, accessible at low tide, together with the Leg of Mutton Reservoir, provide ideal habitats for nature conservation. St. Nicholas Church survives as the feature around which the village of Chiswick developed.

The exemplary historic riverside houses and gardens of Chiswick Mall run adjacent to the River. Further east, there is the popular and always busy Hammersmith Upper and Lower Mall, with Furnival Gardens, a number of boating clubs, and permanently moored boats, taking full advantage of their riverside location. To the south of the River, there are two schools, set in large grounds, mainly used for recreation.

Map of the Area

Key features of this character reach may be summarised as follows:

• Residential development of Corney Reach includes the boating base at Chiswick Quay;
  
• Chiswick Pier is a model of how to secure the provision of improved river related facilities including moorings and a community building in association with riverside development;
  
• Lonsdale Road Reservoir and nature reserve show the evolving historic land uses associated with water supply;
  
• St. Nicholas Church provides a continuing focus of the historic village of Chiswick;
  
• The exemplary houses and gardens of Chiswick Mall show historic adaptation to riverside living;
  Chiswick Eyot is the last island of rural scale before the increasingly urban riverside downstream;
  
• Hammersmith Upper and Lower Mall are "strand" developments of grander 18th century terraces;
  
• St. Paul's Church, Hammersmith is a local historic landmark surrounded by 20th century development;
  
• Furnival Gardens represents an important townscape feature and local amenity;
  
• The restored Hammersmith Bridge frames the reach.

Key Issues and Opportunities

CHISWICK MALL

• The need for the continued conservation and restoration of the surviving fragments of 17th , 18th and 19th century old Chiswick, which includes listed buildings valued for their historic and cultural associations
  
• Improving the connections to Chiswick House and Gardens and Hogarth House via Church Lane and the Hogarth Roundabout.
  
• The protection of key views along and across the River to St Nicholas Church, former Lamb Brewery, Chiswick Mall and the Barnes bank.
  
• The continued traditional pollarding of the willows on Chiswick Eyot to maintain its importance for nature conservation.
  
• The control or eradication of the Chinese Mitten Crabs which are destroying the soft banks of Chiswick Eyot.
  
• The promotion of Chiswick Pier as a river bus stop and part of an active community waterfront
  
• The possible reintroduction of the ferry from Chiswick drawdock to Ferry Lane on Lonsdale Road, if only on a seasonal or weekend basis.

HAMMERSMITH MALL

• The need for the continued conservation and restoration of the 18th and 19th century riverside mansions and terraces, and interpretation of celebrated residents and visitors.
  
• The protection of key views along and across the river to Hammersmith Terrace, River Court, Kelmscott House, Lower Mall, and the Barnes bank.
  
• The control of further development which would have a negative impact on the skyline and setting of the riverside conservation area.
  
• The potential to develop the William Morris Gallery in Kelmscott House into an interior design and arts/crafts museum promoting both contemporary and historic designs.
  
• The need to restore the quality of the public realm, including the riverside roads, Furnival Gardens, and the pedestrianised section of Lower Mall to provide a coherent character throughout the conservation area.
  
• Encourage rowers, scullers and sailing clubs to continue to use this reach of the river, consulting and where practical involving clubs in river management programmes.
  
• The conservation and restoration of the historic river related structures, pontoons, mooring posts, and steps.
  
• Improved accessibility to the foreshore subject to safety considerations and the promotion of a new leisure hub/area around Becket's wharf and Queen's drawdock as a key part of the visitor strategy assisting the regeneration of Hammersmith.
  
• Encourage the retention of the residential moorings as a key part of the vitality and interest of the River. Legally enforceable measures and regulations are in place and to minimise problems of pollution on the ecology of the River.
  
• The increased use of Dove Pier for regular River bus services and linking the services with the public transport interchange at Hammersmith Broadway.

LONSDALE ROAD

• The continued management of the Leg of Mutton reservoir as a nature reserve, working to an agreed management plan.
  
• The potential exists to extend the former reservoir as an educational resource.
  
• The protection of the rural tranquil nature of the wooded southern bank and tow path.
  
• The management of riverbank vegetation to increase ecological diversity and reveal and frame views to landmarks along Chiswick and Hammersmith Malls.
  
• The enhancement of the boundary to St Paul's School and additional planting to break up and conceal the impact of educational buildings close to the river.
  
• The conservation and restoration of the cobbled sloping revetment along the inside bend of the river.

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