High Court gives go ahead to legal challenge against 10-storey tower at Hogarth Roundabout

Visualisation of scheme viewed from Hogarth Roundabout; CGI Simpson Haugh Architects

Receiving permission to bring a Judicial Review is a ‘major legal victory’ say residents society

The High Court has granted permission for a full Judicial Review of the planning approval for the controversial ten-storey tower at the Hogarth Roundabout.

The Chiswick Calendar reported in March the Old Chiswick Protection Society had launched a crowd-funding appeal to raise money to fund a challenge to LB Hounslow Council.

READ ALSO: Residents of Old Chiswick launch crowd funder to pay for Judicial Review of decision to allow ten storey development at Hogarth Roundabout

They very quickly raised the first £10,000 towards their £25,000 target and in less than three months they have already raised more than the initial target – £26,953 with donations from just 155 supporters.

The success of the fundraising shows the strength of feeling about the development, which they say will blight the area, dwarfing the picturesque houses of Old Chiswick and spoiling the views that residents have fought hard to protect.

Obtaining permission for the Judicial Review is in itself a major legal victory, says the residents group.

“Surviving the High Court’s strict permission stage is a monumental milestone”, the group’s chair Graham Clifton told The Chiswick Calendar.

“It confirms that a judge has ruled the legal arguments against the development hold genuine weight under the law, moving the case forward to a decisive full substantive hearing”.

Picturesque houses of Old Chiswick

More money is now needed to pay for the court battle

The date set for the hearing is in a month’s time – Tuesday 21 July.

The OCPS describe the location of the tower beside Hogarth Roundabout as ‘the historic gateway’ to West London. They say the proposed mixed-use development of offices and residential homes is ‘incongruous’, and ‘positioned to dominate views from every direction’.

They also warn that if the development goes ahead, it will set a dangerous planning precedent:

‘It threatens to spark a new high-rise A4 corridor that dwarfs surrounding historical areas, representing a pivotal backward step affecting this unique part of London’.

Hounslow’s planning department backed the development. Councillors on its planning committee passed it and the Mayor of London’s Office has declined to get involved, despite the fact that Historic England, the London Borough of Hammersmith, The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and even the Council’s own conservation officers opposed it.

“This tower would completely overwhelm multiple surrounding conservation areas. However, this fight comes at a significant cost”, said Graham.

“Our initial fundraising must be supplemented to carry the additional legal fees of a full High Court trial. We are urgently calling on the community to help us take this vital extra step”.

Donations to support the legal battle can be made directly via the OCPS JustGiving Campaign Page:

Just Giving: Stop Plans for a High Rise at 1 Burlington