Public consultation on ‘Ginkgo Corner’ in Chiswick

Image: ‘Ginkgo Corner’

The directors of the Chiswick Flower Market would like your opinion

The Chiswick Flower Market team has been working on a proposal to created a seating area with flowers on the raised bed outside the old police station. They have christened this ‘Ginkgo Corner’ after the beautiful mature Ginkgo tree (which would remain, front and centre of their proposal) which dominates the space.

The Flower Market directors say Old Market Place needs sprucing up a bit and we could do with more places to sit, now that it has become a focal point for socialising at the Sunday markets as well as a car park the rest of the time.

The proposals will mean losing one parking bay – the nearest to the raised bed, to give access to the seating area for people using wheelchairs or buggies. This is a small, discrete project which can be achieved in the short term while bigger plans are being considered for the whole area in front of the row of shops from Linden Gardens to Devonshire Road.

Background to the Ginkgo Corner Project

The Flower Market, the first of Chiswick’s Sunday markets, was set up four years ago with the primary aims of revitalising the High Road and the centre of Chiswick. The volunteers who run it formed a Community Interest Company, so all profits go back into the community.

Now that they have made some profit, they would like to spend it by improving the quality of the environment in the centre of Chsiwick.

‘One of our main aims from the beginning was to help improve the Old Market Place area which is increasingly dilapidated. Indeed the disintegration is becoming urgent, as the walls crumble and fall, and the area floods at the slightest rainfall.

‘We presented overall plans for Old Market Place last year, and these have been taken up by the council who are working their way through the various processes. This is a long-term project with plenty of time for discussion and consultation.

‘Meanwhile, a funding opportunity arose to start work on one section, Ginkgo Corner, which could be a stand-alone project, pending the main refurbishment of Old Market Place.’

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund offered money for community-focussed projects that improve pride in place, while supporting local businesses, people and skills, in association with greening and environmental benefit. Additional substantial funding is being provided by the Chiswick Flower Market.

‘The small existing planting area outside the old Police Station will be transformed into a welcoming, beautiful and accessible green space with seating for the use of residents and visitors to Chiswick town centre.

‘The same team responsible for the successful re-design of Turnham Green Terrace with its benches, flower bed and artwork, has been working with landscape designer Luke Greysmith (Eden Project, Lyveden, Derbyshire Street) to ensure the project responds to the local community.’

In June Karen Liebreich, one of the four market directors, wrote a guest blog for The Chiswick Calendar explaining what they had in mind.

READ ALSO: Re-designing ‘Ginkgo Corner’ in Chiswick

The Flower Market directors now seek your support by asking you to fill in a very short questionnaire – only three questions – on Hounslow Council’s website.

Fill in the questionnaire here: Ginkgo Corner have your say