Category Archives: Middlesex

by | April 8, 2024 · 11:51

Great West Road Firestone site: Redesign proposal

A little before Christmas, the planning agent for 6 West Cross Way wrote to say that they’ll not be facilitating a tree outside the former Firestone building location as had been kindly placed by owners Legal & General in 2021 and 2022.

Proposed amendment to the former Firestone Factory site scheme

Councillors were also told to expect an application for minor amendments to the planning permission approved in November 2022.  The existing scheme, (reference P/2021/4973) which was going to be built for Tesla, currently includes a car showroom, car workshop, MOT testing facilities, offices floorspace, new vehicle access points, service yard, basement car parking, landscaping, boundary and other associated works.

Tesla has pulled out and L&G is now looking at how best to make sure this scheme is delivered.  They have decided to build it speculatively and intend to find an occupier during construction, or as soon as possible after completion.

Without a requirement to return to the Planning Committee, L&G’s agent has, under Section 73 of the 1990 Planning Act, just applied for a “non material amendment” to the existing planning permission.

Accompanying the submission and shown within this design pack, the changes sought include, reducing the size of the building, removing the basement and to reprovide outdoor parking around the more compact building.  The pastiche deco style clock has been dropped because of concerns over its maintenance.

Firestone steps railing finial

Careful integration of what was left of the heritage of the site  would remain.  The planning agent says, “L&G remains confident that the scheme will attract a high class occupier who will make a real contribution to the Great West Road … and jobs that will be created.”

Responding, I emphasised that the site should be developed rather than left part demolished.  Equally, when raised, the developer confirmed that all Grade II Listed Firestone heritage (remaining after Thatcher’s Fan Club vandalised it beyond recovery in 1980) would be protected, maintained and enhanced.  L&G reiterated that their current Design and Access Statement regarding the Great West Road frontage will be secure, planted with sufficiently mature evergreens and access to power for lighting at Christmas ensured.

It has been said that speculative developments should be built to consider the broadest interest of the market, ensuring that a suitable occupier can be found and this is what led to some amendments to the permitted scheme, “to make it as market facing as possible”.

Regretably, by Autumn 2023, Tesla changed its strategy which, in turn, led Legal & General to revise that 2022 approved scheme to something smaller; less costly to build and then rent.  Perhaps it may still happen.  Mr Musk, by then, may later want something more economical and could end up in Osterley and Spring Grove Ward after all.

 

 

TL. 8.4.2024

Comments Off on Great West Road Firestone site: Redesign proposal

Filed under Brentford, Great West Road, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Planning

Tagged as , , , ,

by | June 22, 2023 · 17:20

Seccombes: Insurers Authorise Rebuild

Following one of the longest tooth pulling events, Seccombes Builders Merchants Managing Director, John Seccombe has advised that, the end of discussions earlier this week between loss adjusters and insurance companies for both his company and the boy racer’s, meant that permission has been given to proceed with the reconstruction of the Syon Lane building.

Seccombes: Scaffolding up since 5.2.2023 when the poor driver lost control

Unlikely to commence before early July, Seccombes’ contractor is now discussing changes to the supporting scaffolding, up since early February, to enable safe working on and around the damaged building.

With changes, access can be created to dismantle the building in its entirety from the roof down to ground level.  It will then be possible for the scaffolding to be removed.  An assessment will then be made as to whether safe construction may begin without the tiresome traffic restrictions in place.

Seccombes: Temporary lights on Windmill Lane may be removed by the end of July

The footway here on Syon Lane is very narrow, presenting a danger to anyone working outside the wall and building.  So, following assessment and discussion with Hounslow Highways, it will be clearer as to what restrictions will be necessary during the rebuild.

Seccombes are, expectedly, cautious about offering any timescales but it is estimated that the entire rebuild could take as much as eleven weeks; Mr Seccombe will keep providing updates with any changes that happen.

Seccombes: Rebuild likely to end late Summer

The company says that they values everyone’s patience and hopes that residents and visitors appreciate that there is light at the of end of the tunnel.

 

TL  22.6.2023

Comments Off on Seccombes: Insurers Authorise Rebuild

Filed under Hounslow Highways, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Road works, Roads, Sky, Traffic, Wyke Green

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

by | April 11, 2023 · 08:54

Syon Lane: Seccombes, Scaffolding and Signals

Since the incident of 6 February 2023, enquiries have been made on behalf of residents and updates received from the company, Hounslow Highways and the Police as to when repairs will start on the damaged building and consequential traffic delays between Great West Road and Tentelow Lane ended.

Seccombes: Intensive and robust scaffolding

Last week, the company’s Managing Director, Mr John Seccombe, advised,

“Despite repeated pleas to them [the insurers] to move as quickly as possible, the insurance process has been painfully slow and methodical, frustrating a quick resolution.  Our contractor has finally been given go ahead to start peeling back the damage on Tuesday 11 April in order to access hidden parts of our 200+ years old building.  This will ensure the structural engineers have a full understanding of the task ahead.

Seccombes: Up close building damage

“These ‘enabling works’ are critical but will lead to ultimately having the scaffolding removed.  It is still unclear as to how long this stage will take but we are sure we will finally be seeing some visible progress.  We will update you all again when the Engineers have completed these final tests and we have a working timescale.

Traffic queueing: Jersey Road at Wyke Green

Seccombes: Remnants of the boy racer’s smashed motor

Syon Lane northbound towards the Three Bridges

Comments Off on Syon Lane: Seccombes, Scaffolding and Signals

Filed under Events, Great West Road, Hounslow Highways, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Osterley, Road works, Roads, Traffic, Wyke Green

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

by | March 20, 2023 · 01:55

Spring Grove Conservation Area Demolition: Part II

The builder attempted, by pleading guilty, to take the entire rap for last year’s jungli style demolition at 18 Grove Road, when he and the owner appeared before Uxbridge Magistrates Court last November.  Not only did he and his firm, UK Landmark Construction Limited, cop over £8,000 in fines, costs and victim surcharge, building company director, Mr Sayeed Naveed Akhtar, acquired a criminal record as a result.

18 Grove Road: Inside the hoardings April 2022

The property owner, Mr Mohammed Ali Khan, of Thornbury Road, had pleaded not guilty on 18 November 2022 so waited until 3 February 2023 to return to the Uxbridge court to be tried for his part in the illegal demolition of 18 Grove Road.  Hounslow Council was represented by lawyers with ready to participate witnesses from its Building Control Services and a neighbour impacted by the demolition.

The defence decided not to call any witnesses.  However, it is felt that the presence of a number of individuals ready to testify for the council resulted in the defence changing their tactics by agreeing to Hounslow’s evidence as full facts.

18 Grove Road: Impacts on the streetscene February 2022

After a long deliberation, the magistrates returned to find Mr Khan guilty of demolishing a building without notifying the local authority.  They adjudged that Mr Khan had instructed his contractor to demolish the building and was, therefore, ultimately responsible for failing to notify the council of the demolition as required by section 80(2) of the Building Act 1984.

Proceeding to sentence Mr Khan, the magistrates imposed a £3,360 fine for the offence, £2,493.34 prosecution costs and victim surcharge of £190, a total of £6,043.34.  A collection order was made in the event that he defaults on these payments.

18 Grove Road: Remaining original features February 2022

It is the Department of Justice that sets the fines tariffs per type of crime that courts dispense.  What was meted appears chicken feed but, as a result of being found guilty, Mr Khan is now a criminal as well as his builder.

Whilst this concludes the demolition prosecution, it does not resolve the issues on site.  There is still a dangerous structure notice in place and this will remain until the front façade is allowed to be removed or the house is rebuilt.

18 Grove Road: Residents meeting Hounslow Council Planning, Planning Enforcement and Building Control Officers March 2023

A new application needs to be approved for the construction of a new house (in the style of the previous).  Neighbours and Ward Councillors are keen to see this happen but, based on their thus far experiences with the owner, are seeking maximum legislative and planning policy safeguards.  Hounslow Council Planning, Planning Enforcement and Building Control are aware of this through recent meetings following the submission of new planning application, P/2022/3149.  Residents are keen for protection via planning conditions.

Copyright, no publishing  or copying without the author’s permission.

TL  19.3.2023

Comments Off on Spring Grove Conservation Area Demolition: Part II

Filed under Events, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Planning, Reports

Tagged as , , , ,

by | November 24, 2021 · 16:57

Syon Lane developments proposals to be heard at a Public Inquiry

Nicholas Grimshaw’s 1987 Homebase Building, Syon Lane, Isleworth

 

The Right Hon Michael Gove MP has, today, responded to the letter Osterley and Spring Grove Ward Councillors sent him on 26 September 2021 regarding the proposed Syon Lane developments on the Homebase and Tesco sites.

The Secretary of State has written advising that he has decided to call in both applications.  This means, that under the 1990 Planning Act powers, they shall be referred to him for decision instead of being dealt with locally.

The Secretary of State has ordered a local inquiry with arrangements for holding it to be made by the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol.  He particularly wishes to be informed about,

  • the extent to which the proposed developments are is consistent with Government policies for conserving and enhancing the area’s historic environment
  • consistency with the local plan for the area
  • any other matters the Inspector considers relevant.

Where permitted, Ward Councillors will contribute to the Inquiry and continue to support residents on these matters, consistent with our approach since early 2019.

For further reading:

Letter from Minister of State for Housing to Councillor Louki, 24 November 2021

Letter on behalf of the Secretary of State to Hounslow Council, 24 November 2021

TL 24.11.2021

Comments Off on Syon Lane developments proposals to be heard at a Public Inquiry

Filed under Brentford, Great West Road, Middlesex, Neighbourhoods, Northumberland Estate, Osterley, Planning