Developers appointed to refurbish small mansion

An Ealing based independent school - Falcons School for Girls - is poised to move into the small mansion at Gunnersbury Park.

It follows agreement from both Ealing and Hounslow Councils - who jointly manage Gunnersbury Park - on the appointment of Alpha Plus Group as the preferred developer for the Grade II listed building.

Both councils say they had been looking for a partner that could restore the small mansion to 'provide increased community access and a use which would give the building long term sustainability'.

Richard Jones, Property Director of the Alpha Plus Group said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the preferred developer for this wonderful building and are very excited about the possibilities of the project.

“We will now enter into detailed discussions and negotiations with the two councils. Following successful conclusions to these discussions, we expect to submit a planning application to convert the small mansion into a site for the possible expansion of our popular local independent school, Falcons School for Girls.”

The proposed plans show that most of the work will be restoring the small mansion’s heritage features, as well as repairing and upgrading the building to bring it into use as a school and community facility.

Alpha Plus Group will contribute a large proportion of the money to restore the building, and will meet on-going maintenance costs.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “This is a great step forward in our efforts to regenerate Gunnersbury Park.

“We were impressed with Alpha Plus Group’s proposed plans and their track record of sensitively dealing with heritage buildings. We are confident the small mansion will be updated and restored to the highest level.

“A school will inject even more life and vitality into Gunnersbury Park and the surrounding area, while also increasing footfall at the park’s café and sporting facilities. I look forward to seeing our fantastic community assets bought back into use.”

Cllr Colin Ellar, Hounslow’s deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, said: “This decision clearly shows our commitment to the refurbishment of this historic site, and Hounslow’s continued support towards the project underlines its importance to the borough.

“The appointment of Alpha Plus will bring the small mansion into productive use, and was a sustainable option for the site. It also allows even more access than before for community use on evenings, weekends and during the school holidays, and visitors will be able to make use of a greatly improved venue.”

Tender documents and specifications are yet to be agreed by the councils. Once all of the necessary approvals are in place, Alpha Plus Group will enter into a development agreement with the councils and draw up more detailed plans, which will be subject to planning permission by Hounslow Council.

27th March 2013

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