Residents of Old Chiswick seek legal opinion to challenge high-rise development beside Hogarth Roundabout

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

Residents say they have not given up after Mayor of London gives development at 1 Burlington Lane the go-ahead

The Old Chiswick Protection Society (OCPS) say they are consulting legal opinion to challenge the high-rise, mixed-use development which has been approved for the site of 1 Burlington Lane, next to the Hogarth Roundabout.

The complex, which will be part six storeys and part ten storeys high with 132 self-contained flats, received planning approval from Hounslow Council in August, and last week the Mayor of London’s office announced it would not get involved in the decision, clearing the way for the development to go ahead.

Residents had hoped the Mayor’s office would intervene in the planning application, but the Mayor’s office has told Hounslow Council the development ‘does not raise any strategic concerns’.

Illustration showing the view of the new development from across the river, behind St Nicholas Church, credit: Hounslow Council

Provision of housing outweighs harm to heritage, says Mayor’s office

The design and architecture of the building is considered acceptable and the harm to nearby heritage assets, Hogarth’s house and Chiswick House, is deemed to be ‘less than substantial’.

What harm the development would do would be outweighed by the public benefit of providing homes, said the Mayor’s office.

The development will offer 10.5% affordable housing – seven social rent and six shared ownership units.

Residents of Chiswick Mall and Old Chiswick objected to the development because it would dwarf the Conservation area beside the river and spoil the views from the riverside.

Both Richmond and Hammersmith & Fulham councils supported the Old Chiswick Protection Society’s objections, as did Historic England and the MP for Hammersmith & Chiswick, Andy Slaughter.

READ ALSO: Hogarth roundabout development gets go ahead

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

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

Graham Clifton, Chair of the Old Chiswick Protection Society, told The Chiswick Calendar:

‘OCPS were naturally very disappointed and alarmed at the Mayor of London’s decision on the proposed development of 1 Burlington Lane at the Hogarth Roundabout, now passed back to Hounslow Council.

‘In spite of something like 300 original objections to Hounslow Council, and 761 objections on the Mayor’s site – (only one in support), it appears that none of the points raised were enough for the GLA to think again.

‘We support either the building already approved on appeal almost two years ago or a new design of lower height with more emphasis on much needed affordable housing.

‘The OCPS campaign against the high-rise block at Hogarth roundabout will continue as the substantial harm to local heritage, particularly the historic grade 2 star listed St Nicholas Church, cannot be ignored.

‘As part of this we will be seeking legal opinion on a challenge to the development, which is seen as detrimental to strategic good planning in this part of London and has severe cross border impacts on a nationally important asset’.

Outside St Nicholas’ church

St Nicholas Church, Hogarth’s house and Chiswick House, photographed by Jennifer Griffiths, views of which which will all be affected by the 1 Burlington Lane development

English Heritage strongly oppose the development because of the effect on Chiswick House and Hogarth’s House

English Heritage have strongly opposed the development, saying:

‘The large scale, bulk and massing of the proposed development would be entirely out of keeping with its historic surroundings’ and would cause ‘considerable harm’ to ‘multiple heritage designations.’

The site is in the Chiswick House Conservation Area. Historic England noted:

‘Although Chiswick House is bounded on two sides by busy roads and near the Heathrow flight path, for the most part it is visually removed from the modern world. Because of this it maintains a sense of seclusion which is key to its character and the understanding of its original design.

‘When within the gardens, the tree screening and low scale of the surrounding area means that the landscape, house and garden structures are seen in close to their original composition and retain their sense of being a world apart.’

The upper storeys of the new building on Hogarth roundabout would be visible from ‘numerous important locations’ within the grounds of Chiswick House.

Historic England oppose it also because the proposed development would be visible from within the gardens of Hogarth’s House, and the views of Old Chiswick from the river would be affected by the 1 Burlington Lane development:

‘It would almost entirely back views of St Nicholas’ church and loom large in views from Chiswick Old Cemetery.’

Even so, the Mayor’s office concluded:

‘There are no sound planning reasons for the Mayor to intervene’.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar