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

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

Planned tower block would be “an overwhelming and devastating presence”

Residents who live in Old Chiswick have launched a crowd-funding appeal to raise money to fund its challenge to LB Hounslow Council over  the Council’s decision to grant planning permission for the development at Hogarth Roundabout.

By midnight on Monday 30 March they had raised nearly £10,000 towards their £25,000 target.

The Old Chiswick Protection Society (OCPS) has launched an application for Judicial Review of Hounslow’s decision to grant planning permission for a ten storey building housing 134 flats at One Burlington Lane, which overlooks the Conservation Areas of Old Chiswick and Chiswick House.

The historic conservation group says the area is “unique and sensitive” and the presence of ten storey tower block right beside it would be “an overwhelming and devastating presence”.

READ ALSO: Old Chiswick Protection Society starts proceedings to take LB Hounslow to Judicial Review over decision to build Hogarth Roundabout tower block

Old Chiswick – Photograph of the day by Bridget Osborne

Church Street in Old Chiswick

“Last chance” to oppose the development

Chair of OCPS Graham Clifton said:

“We’re challenging the Council’s decision on the basis of illegality. The London Borough of Hounslow failed to take into account the conclusions of the Planning Inspector in a previous application. In not doing so, they failed to observe the principle of consistency. Not only did they ignore the Planning Inspector’s conclusion, they got the law wrong in saying that Councillors did not need to give any weight to his conclusions or give reasons for not doing so”.

The residents association say the proposed block would dominate the views over Old Chiswick and from surrounding areas including the Glebe Estate, “decimating the feeling of openness in views from across the Thames and from Chiswick House”.

Historic England, the London Borough of Hammersmith, The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, even the Council’s own conservation officers opposed the development.

READ ALSO: Hogarth roundabout development gets go ahead

READ ALSO: High rise development beside Hogarth roundabout gets OK from Mayor of London

“We now need to raise funds to pay for the legal challenge”, added Graham.

“This is a matter worth fighting for. If allowed to proceed, 1 Burlington Lane will be an overwhelming and devastating presence in Old Chiswick and the damage and precedent will persist for generations.  Please help us.  This really is our last chance”

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The OCPS decided to pursue the legal challenge after the Mayor of London’s office accepted Hounslow’s decision, choosing not to get involved in the planning process.

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