Pissarro Developer Loses Planning Appeal

Would 'harm the living conditions' of local residents particularly with regard to outlook

CGI of new building which is in the centre of the picture

An appeal by a developer of the Pissarro riverside site against Hounslow Council's refusal to grant planning permission, has failed.

The decision announced yesterday ( July 24) was based mainly on the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of surrounding occupiers, with particular regard to outlook.

Boutique developer Fruition Ltd wants to build seven two bedroom flats and one three bedroom flat with eight parking spaces at the prime riverside location. The building would be three storeys high on the side closest to the river on the site which has been vacant since 2014.

The developer had claimed the footprint of the latest design was considerably smaller than the scheme which was refused permission in 2016.The appeal was on behalf of Corney Reach Way Ltd which is a company owned by Fruition Properties.

The Planning Inspector did find some positive elements to the scheme. He said the proposed development would cause no harm to the character and appearance of the area, and it would provide sufficient communal, external space for future occupiers. It would bring the social benefit of additional housing to local housing supply.

"However, it would harm the living conditions of surrounding occupiers, with particular regard to outlook.

"As a whole, I consider that the proposal would be an unsustainable form of development."

You can read the full judgement here.

While he noted the representations (by local residents)against the loss of what had been described as a communal facility, and the reference to the planning conditions of permissions for the estate development, the inspector said he would have sought further representations on this matter;but as he was dismissing the appeal on one of the main issues, he had not pursued this matter further.

Locals have been campaigning against a residential development on the site of the former Pissarro restaurant in Corney Reach Way for several years.

Residents of Corney Reach say they believe this decision makes it very difficult for any development larger than the existing profile. The Inspector also notes that the existing use, as a communal facility, has not been addressed as the proposal was dismissed on one of the main issues. Residents want this site in use as soon as possible without destroying the integrity of the surrounding Estates.

CGI of the rear of the building

The restaurant closed in 2013 and a previous application to redevelop the restaurant into residential units was turned down in 2014. The RNLI also lost the flat it rented on the premises, and there were a number of failed attempts to encourage restaurateurs to take on the site.

Current view of the site

Pissarro, which was named in honour of the 'Father of French Impressionism', Camille Pissarro (who painted many local scenes in the 1890s), opened in the late 1990s when it was owned by local investors. The restaurant had a chequered history, and at one stage suffered a serious fire. When it closed management said there was not enough business in that area to make it a commercially viable.

July 25, 2018